Fuel Tank Breather Pipe

[cubensis]

Hello all, our petrol tank leaks just before the petrol pump clicks, common problem I know.

Its not the filler neck, we've had that fixed. The picture below shows the issue I think, this Y piece broke, the mechanic has fed the pipe in the broken bit pictured with some (petrol proof) sealant round it. I wanted to confirm that the broken bit in the picture is part number 251 201 147 B? I also wanted to ask if it was likely to be where the leak is coming from? I understand that the breather tanks allow for the air flooding in to displace the petrol so it seems likely?
251 201 147

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ya7jrunsarbpj ... 3.jpg?dl=0

The leak appears to be from underneath the van just behind the petrol tank centrally. I mention this because its not the breather tanks that have split or anything.

And finally, does the petrol tank have to be dropped to fit the above part?

[baj25]

We've got a similar leak on ours, only with a full tank. If you get under the van at the rear of the tank you can see the top of the tank pretty well. The leaking petrol leaves a trail on the dirt that might lead to your problem. Those T pieces are right at the front of the tank, near impossible to get at from the front, but I have seen a youtube vid of somebody doing them from the wheelarch. HTH, Bri

[CJH]

Yep - that's the part. In theory it's possible to get to those Y-pieces from the front wheel arches, but in practice it's pretty difficult to get any sort of leverage, both to remove the broken one and to replace the new one. It's not difficult to drop the tank, except maybe making sure it's virtually empty before you attempt the job. However, even with the tank dropped you'll still be inserting at least one end of the breather pipe with it back in place, since it feeds over pipes/cables above the tank. Vaseline around the grommet makes it easier to insert the breather with the limited access.

What's clear from your photo is that you've definitely got a leak at that point. With the tank dropped though you'd be able to satisfy yourself that's the only leak. You might also want to replace the rubber hoses on the breathers while you're at it.

[cubensis]

Hello, thanks for your replies. I'll crack on n have a look at dropping the tank, cheers.