Bit of a crisis in the south of France

[PetenAli]

Got a bit of a problem. A bad smell of fuel has been investigated and turned out to be a leak where the filler pipe goes into the tank. "pooh" is the first word that comes to mind as it looks like a hard problem to fix even if if a new seal was readily available. Will be calling BW on Monday morning about that. Does anyone have any ideas for fixes please as it is clearly too dangerous to try and drive and I've just put a tent up as I don't even want to sleep in it as things stand.

Thanks,

Pete and Ali

[syncropaddy]

I would look at removing the filler pipe, cleaning it and the seal and refit with maybe some gasket seal or similar as a 'get u home'.

[PC52]

As Andrew said although are you sure it's a seal replacement and not on the metal pipe were corrosion has created a hole.

Appreciate it's petrol, precaution is always good.

I shall pm Clive, see if there are any contacts down there.

[max and caddy]

Or...remove the filler pipe and find a suitable cork, stopper, log, cap, or summat too bung the hole in the tank with maybe? Might be a pain to fill up but least it's useable.

[PetenAli]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've had a better look in daylight and you could be right about corrosion on the pipe. The seal actually looks quite decent although it's hard to see properly. Another factor is that I put some fuel in yesterday although didn't fill up. It's not pouring out but it is seeping.

If it is the pipe it doesn't look too hard to get out - two screws on the outside above the filler cap and a jubilee clip somewhere down the line. The inner end of the pipe is a push fit into the seal I think?

If it is the pipe I have some of that magic tape which does temporary repairs to burst pipes etc which would hopefully get us home.

[axeman]

just check that the tape is suitable for petrol if that is a viable option, petrol has a nasty habit if eating through rubber/plastic.

neil

[syncrowjoker]

WHS, the best temporary seal would be an oily rag, easily removable to refill, and an effective seal, you can then repair properly when you get back

[HarryMann]

Pete only just seen this. The classic Syncro problem in this area is the tube has pinhole corroded at the back where it touches the chassis and engine flitch panel, due to damp muck jamming in that gap, usually soon after it exits the snorkel box. Remove the pipe and a good garage should easily abrade, solder or braze the worst areas. Use Vaseline or a rubber grease when pushing the pipe back into the tank. Or alternately just run with a low tank and carry fuel cans. It's also possible a breather has blocked or the small filler vent pipe has come off the top of the filler tube. Where exactly are you - we could contact the French Syncro club.

[muileach]

I have used plastic padding filler as a temporary fix in the past if you can get the area dry just cover it liberally and it should hold

[PetenAli]

Thanks again everyone. Going to get the pipe out tomorrow and then will see what the damage is.

We are at Uzes about 15 miles north of Nimes. If there are any French Syncro people about this area that would be good as well.

Am I right about removal? i.e. the two screws at the filler holding everything in place and then removing the pipe through the hole?

Pete

[Aidan]

Pete normally you leave the filler end alone, in the wheel arch you will find a heavy duty rubber hose coming out of the bodywork jubilee clipped onto the steel pipe that goes into the tank
remove rear damper and the bolt holding the metal pipe to the body, remove jubilee clip from rubber hose, loosen end in rubber hose and, having cleaned the metal pipe of crud, a combination of pushing the metal pipe through the seal and pulling the other end out of the rubber pipe will free it and get it out of the tank seal then remove seal from tank
all the time whilst trying to keep dirt out of the tank
once you have it off it'll pretty soon be apparent where the leak is from
plastic metal /two pack tape solution may be best stop gap method to get you home unless you can find a nice garage with real metal skills to fix it nice with braze/weld
kitchen scotch pads pretty useful to clean up pipe

[PetenAli]

Thanks Aidan - that's going to save me a whack of time. I've got some JB weld and some exhaust repair foil. Do you think a combination of these would do to effect a temporary repair?

Pete

[HarryMann]

Pete, A cheap plastic padding fibreglass kit might do, as muileach says...

If you can get a taxi to a 'good' garage not too much trouble to braze it if they have gas (most proper village garages will).. small



Drove my old panelvan with that smell from that area for ages
1/2 ~ 2/3 full tank should be alright and steady around the left handers

[PetenAli]

Thanks again Clive. Will be on it tomorrow. Doing a bit of homework on village garages within a bike ride from here. Village garages in france are much less prevalent than when i was a lad! Alternatively will try to find a Halfords type place.

Just watching a Course Camagaise - politically correct competition involving bulls and very brave (foolhardy) young men!

Pete

[PetenAli]

Looks like we've got a get us home / rest of our holiday fix sorted.

First of all I tried to get the pipe out as per Aidan's advice. Only problem was the bolt that holds the pipe in place which in our case was a rusty, probably 26 year old, self tapper that wasn't for moving with a crumbling head. I also became increasingly aware of the extent of the corrosion on the pipe and was worried about making a bigger hole than is already there.

In the end with the help of brother in law, we managed to get the oily rag trick sorted with a bit of rag the length of the corroded section wrapped round twice and held in place with cable ties. Then down to put some SP 98 in and got back to where we are staying. Result: No Smell Of Fuel!!

I can't say "thanks" enough for all the responses and advice from everyone. 80 90 does it again!

Pete