Club 80-90 Forums

I have a 1982 T25,2ltr petrol hitop, and took it for its first major outing this week. Over the week It did an average of 18 miles to the gallon,also there was a constant smell of petrol each time we stopped.I went through the whole fuel system and could not find any leaks,and the fuel return solenoid seems to be working, has anybody got any suggestions
1)what sought of milage can I expect bearing in mind it was open road and town driving.
2)Is it likely that the carbs are way out of balance
regards popeye63

18 MPG is about as good as you can expect. I can get just over 20MPG on a long motorway run, but average 16-18MPG around the lanes. The smell of petrol could be the pipes to the expansion tanks in the wheel arches come adrift or the tank has rusted through on the top.

i went down to exmouth and had the same.it was not until i filled up to the brim i noticed leaking from the rotton pipes fpr expansion tank under the passenger wheel arch

take the front wheels of and check the hoses on the top of the fuel tank check and replace any leaking hoses you can fill up at a garage with confidence

I know it's not strictly "petrol fumes" but the heat exchangers (for the cab heater) on the exhaust can leak (dangerous) exhaust gasses from the exhaust pipe into the van = suggest check those too ?

we had the same thing and needed the fuel tank changing. check it really well as the garage took ours out, gave it a quick check over and reinstalled it deeming it ok. it wasn't!

Oh no, we too have the smell if petrol in the van. Filled up to the brim on Friday and the smell was almost unbearable. Had to have window open as it made me feel sick. As the fuel is used and drops further down the tank the smell is not so severe but still noticeable. So first stop is to change pipes? Might need to get someone to check the tank for rust.

Lynne wrote:Oh no, we too have the smell if petrol in the van. Filled up to the brim... So first stop is to change pipes?

Yep, check and if ness change pipes = a bit fiddly but basically an easy diy job. Most motor factors will stock suitable pipe, take a bit of the old one with you Normally, if the tank has got a rusted hole in the top, it will leak fuel onto the floor when you fill it to the brim. There are also rubber (style) grommets in the top of the tank where a couple of the pipes go and these can perish too, that is a tank out job, but again, whilst a bit fiddly, lying on your back and all that, not hard to do. Helps if it empty / very nearly empty of course On the other hand, a half decent garage can do this. Note = there are many, many jobs on these vans that I would not trust your average garage to do ! If planning on using a garage for those type of jobs, find one (ask on here) that KNOWS these vans well !

In the meantime, just don't fill it to the top (many have used that "solution" for months )

This is all part of the fun of owning a T3 = the sense of satisfaction on completing such a job is well worth the hassle

There are some rubber grommets / bungs in the top of the tank (this was all explained to me by someone who knew what he was talking about so any inaccuracies are my fault in the re-telling!) that apparently have a habit of perishing / coming adrift. They are, allegedly, a right PITA to refit resulting in skinned knuckles and elbows! Petrol smells can be from a variety of sources (especially if your pipes have never been changed - they could be very very old and perished / corroded / knackered by now). Any decent T25 specialist should be able to give it a once over and advise - whereabouts are you geographically?

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Thank you everybody for your advice,it looks as though I am going to be on my back this weekend taking things apart.Oh the joys of camping!