Club 80-90 Forums

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

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?

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

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.

these vans seem to leak a lot when filled to the top.i reckon its the seals more than the tank.....

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.

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

If so could be tank????

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.

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

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

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.....
Someone will correct me if talking ballox.
Rob...........

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 ...

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.

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

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

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.

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

I've heard you may not have long arms

what else have you heard............
Rob.......