Diesel Fuel Tank

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owlets

Diesel Fuel Tank

Post by owlets »

My fuel tank is as leaky as a sieve, filled it to the brim for the first time on the way back from VanWet. Its still dripping out now :shock:

How easy are they to replace? We are off to Cornwall a week tomorrow, not sure if I can get it replaced in time. How safe is it to have a leaky diesel tank? I presume its not as bad leaking petrol?

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Re: Diesel Fuel Tank

Post by FlowerPower »

owlets wrote:My fuel tank is as leaky as a sieve, filled it to the brim for the first time on the way back from VanWet. Its still dripping out now :shock:

How easy are they to replace? We are off to Cornwall a week tomorrow, not sure if I can get it replaced in time. How safe is it to have a leaky diesel tank? I presume its not as bad leaking petrol?

As an ex-biker, I would disagree with that presumption. There's nothing worse than coming round a corner and hitting a patch of deisel. Unless its a patch of deisel on top of a man hole cover. :?
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Post by R0B »

these vans seem to leak a lot when filled to the top.i reckon its the seals more than the tank.....
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Re: Diesel Fuel Tank

Post by owlets »

FlowerPower wrote:As an ex-biker, I would disagree with that presumption. There's nothing worse than coming round a corner and hitting a patch of deisel. Unless its a patch of deisel on top of a man hole cover. :?

True, having almost broken my back coming off my bike when younger due to a patch of diesel. What I meant was from an fire type aspect.

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maximus
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Post by maximus »

I heard somewhere these tanks 'rot' on the top you can't see is this true??

If so could be tank????
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Post by owlets »

Definitely true Maximus, the gear linakge and water pipes run through a trough in the top of the fuel tank, creating a lovely trap for water. Am positive its the tank thats leaking, just don't know if I can get it replaced for I go away next weekend, so wondering if it'll be ok if I don't brim the tank.

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Post by maximus »

Yeah you could do that just means topping up 20 hear tenner there :roll:

Should be ok for your weekend though, just looked at mine its got a new tank on it only just noticed had the van since Sept :shock:
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Post by lhd »

Its a very common problem I think its on the Wiki.
Its not the fuel tank but the ( too drunk to remeber) thingies. :?
Breather pipes or somthing. they all perish and leak when full.
Its just a case of renewing all the hoses....
Think thats right.....
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Post by T'Onion »

Owen , just stick to filling it 3/4 for the time being , enjoy cornwall and then when you get back have it looked at , i do believe si brickyard has replacement tanks on the shelf ..

are you sure its the tank and not the filler or the breathers , you can get under and have a look also if you drop the spare wheel you can see part of the top of the tank ...
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Post by owlets »

T'Onion wrote:Owen , just stick to filling it 3/4 for the time being , enjoy cornwall and then when you get back have it looked at , i do believe si brickyard has replacement tanks on the shelf ..

are you sure its the tank and not the filler or the breathers , you can get under and have a look also if you drop the spare wheel you can see part of the top of the tank ...

Its not leaking from the filler neck nor could I see any from the tanks under the front wheel arches. Its driping from a cross member that sits under the tank, and cos its a Westy with a slight lean, its running along something and dripping onto and off the under body waste water tank.

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Post by middx2000 »

not wanting to be the bearer of bad news I had a similar leak and it was a rusted tank

owlets

Post by owlets »

middx2000 wrote:not wanting to be the bearer of bad news I had a similar leak and it was a rusted tank

being a pessimist thats what I'm expecting

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Post by skell »

get 2 (or is it three? its a while since I've done it) grommets for the breather pipes, get some fuel line of the required diameter (must be on the wiki), you might get change from a tenner... then run fuel down low, then get a jack under and drop the tank, you'll only get to the bottom of it by looking, you can do it on your own but it's a bit awkward, would be easy with a helper, if the tank is ok you have the parts you need to refresh the breather bits, if the tank is knackered then its time to buy a tank.

The whole thing is easier if you have long arms for reaching into the fuel tank, I've heard you may not have long arms, I may be around Guildford in a couple of weeks if you want long armed help.
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Post by T'Onion »

I was thinking about your tank while i was having a "pooh" at work this evening Owen ,as u do !! , could be the seal on the sender unit
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Post by lhd »

I've heard you may not have long arms
what else have you heard............ :lol:
Rob.......

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