Fuel tank (filler) leak

[FinalD]

So one of my MOT fails was "Rear into tank Fuel hose leaking (7.2.3) **DANGEROUS**" which I had hoped was just a perished rubber line, I'm now not so sure. I checked all the small lines and they look totally fine, had a look at the filler pipe and it looked dodgy. I've now pulled the flexi off and I can't work out if it is like it is due to the filler pipe leaking or the tank being fubared. Below are some pics.











The metal pipe that the rubber one sides around feels solid with the side of the tank, doesn't appear to flex as if it is thin metal.

So, replacement/new tank time or clean up, rust treat, under seal etc. and replace the filler pipe?

[pacerpete]

In 99% of cases it is the filler neck that is perforated through rust. Get aggressive with some emery paper and I am sure you will find a hole

[FinalD]

It does look like there must be a hole as there didn't appear to be a hole in the paint before I scraped it off, also the filler rubber, whilst hanging on the very end, appears to be solid.

I guess I better price up a 63L tank. I do have a spares car but I'm not sure if I want to go through the agro of removing a tank that could potentially also be on it's way out.

E: £246.00 new from CarParts4Less

I think I'll have to inspect the spares car!

[capnmchl]

Weren't ECP do these tanks for cheap a while back or something?

[FinalD]

Matt had one of the tanks set up on a cheap deal yeah, but I'm not sure if they were 63L or even still available. £200 from GSF seems nicer. At the weekend (I don't want to do it in the cold and dark) I'll take the tank off from the spares car. Hopefully it is in better condition as I'd rather not fork out for a new tank if I can avoid it. Typical too really as I've replaced all the rear bushes, brake lines etc. and now have to drop the whole sodding lot again!

I'm wondering if I can just lower the rear beam, drop the drop out and get the tank out that way...would save a huge amount of hassle on the cab.

[Kedge]

Matt isn't doing the Zone discount anymore but here's the place he was price matching for the tanks.

http://www.crashrepairparts.com/parts/p ... 0?_ts=5254

Get one while they sill have them, only 2 left.

[Duke137]

Don't delay, buy the one in kedges link and with the money you saved get it powdercoated

[daimlerman]

No need to drop the rear beam to swap the tank.

[FinalD]

Don't delay, buy the one in kedges link and with the money you saved get it powdercoated

Problem with that is I then need to find a place to get it delivered and then powder coated locally, and on the car within a week. I'd rather avoid the massive hassle of all that and just spunk £200 to GSF for a ready-to-fit item. I'm going to drop the tank on the touring (both have the same PN on RealOEM and are 63L tanks according to that) and inspect it. If it is sound then I'll swap it to the cab, if not, buy new.

No need to drop the rear beam to swap the tank.

Just the prop and lower the beam for access to the bolts? That is what I was planning on attempting, then falling back to doing the beam if I couldn't get it out my way.

[daimlerman]

I have swapped tanks without dropping the rear beam.

All you need is a 13mm socket with a small universal joint to tackle the rear mounting bolts that are close to the beam.

Yes,the prop,heat shields and uncle Tom Cobly need to be clear,but
if I can manage it in my back passage,I am sure that you can!

[Kedge]

Don't delay, buy the one in kedges link and with the money you saved get it powdercoated

Problem with that is I then need to find a place to get it delivered and then powder coated locally, and on the car within a week. I'd rather avoid the massive hassle of all that and just spunk £200 to GSF for a ready-to-fit item. I'm going to drop the tank on the touring (both have the same PN on RealOEM and are 63L tanks according to that) and inspect it. If it is sound then I'll swap it to the cab, if not, buy new.

The ECP/GSF tank are exaclty the same as the one in the link. They can be fitted straight away as they are painted silver, Ferg has just said get it powdercoated as that'll give a more durable finish.

[daimlerman]

Mount the bugger and spray with Waxoyl!

[FinalD]

I had to lower (not remove) the beam anyway to access the jubilee clip's head (someone did that one up at the right angle ) so I have plenty of access to the bolts on that end. Dropping the prop isn't too big a deal really either. Good to know I don't have to refill and re bleed the brake lines yet again.

I'll attempt to get the tank off the touring tomorrow for inspection but as it is parked outside it is often hard to work on it with it being cold out and there being naff all light. Worst case, I'll get the back in the air and inspect the filler hole and remove at the weekend. Got to get it all sorted before 15th as that is the end of my 10 working days for MOT retest.

E:

The ECP/GSF tank are exaclty the same as the one in the link. They can be fitted straight away as they are painted silver, Ferg has just said get it powdercoated as that'll give a more durable finish.

Ah ok, I assumed it was bare/primer due to him having said that, gotcha! I want to inspect the spares tank tomorrow, just in case it is in good knick.

Mount the bugger and spray with Waxoyl!

I'd coat the tank (at least on the underside, but ideally the whole thing) in some form of protection though for sure if I buy new!

[Kedge]

Mount the bugger and spray with Waxoyl!

I'd coat the tank (at least on the underside, but ideally the whole thing) in some form of protection though for sure if I buy new!

Get some POR15 chassis paint on it or something similar instead of powsercoating.

[Rav335uk]

Someone got a lighter

[FinalD]

Good idea, the car IS insured....

[FinalD]

Get some POR15 chassis paint on it or something similar instead of powsercoating.

I actually have that or something very similar in the garage, but only ~1/4 tin left which I can't see it covering a whole tank. If I buy new I'll get something to provide extra protection though. Don't want it rotting out again.

[FinalD]

Whoever wrote this wiki guide is a tw4t.

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... _Fuel_Tank

Pull down the centre bearing carrier and remove the rear of the prop from the diff and do the same with the front of the prop and place the prop out of your way.

That is complete and utter bullshit!







In those pictures I have done exactly what the guide states and...as I had expected, naff all happens, the prop can't be removed from the rear beam / diff carrier or from the gearbox. I have wasted loads of time trying this various different ways and it is impossible.

So as I say, whoever wrote that guide is an idiot, thanks for wasting my time.

[Craggy73]

Matt isn't doing the Zone discount anymore but here's the place he was price matching for the tanks.

http://www.crashrepairparts.com/parts/p ... 0?_ts=5254

Get one while they sill have them, only 2 left.

Saying there's 6 in stock now. Gonna get one anyway

[Brianmoooore]

Pull down the centre bearing carrier and remove the rear of the prop from the diff and do the same with the front of the prop and place the prop out of your way.

That is complete and utter bullshit!

So as I say, whoever wrote that guide is an idiot, thanks for wasting my time.

Only bit that's wrong is that it comes off at the gearbox end first.
You have slackened the sleeve around the splined section, haven't you?

[FinalD]

I have, I tried removing from either/both ends...nadda.

[jimbom30cab]

Just get a couple of rattle cans of hammerite and spray the tank,it will out live the life of the car guaranteed

[Brianmoooore]

I have, I tried removing from either/both ends...nadda.

Well, you're doing something wrong! That's how they come off.