fuel tank leak on a 2500M ???

fuel tank leak on a 2500M ???

Author
Discussion

brittanytvr

Original Poster:

191 posts

240 months

Saturday 24th June 2006
quotequote all
hello,
since few days inside the car, a fuel smell!!!and after a little maintenance ( grease for the front suspension, steering, axle and I lift one side of the car if it can help??) I have not remove the tank but it seems in good condition, the carpets are ok, perhaps under the tank???
The hoses are also in good condition and I haven't seen any leak.
I think the better way is firstly to remove the tank but if you have an idea !!
Thanks

pistolar

1,474 posts

269 months

Saturday 24th June 2006
quotequote all
if its the original steel tank, it must be overdue for replacement with an alloy tank.

They rust from the inside, so often look ok when first inspecting

Notanutter

361 posts

236 months

Monday 26th June 2006
quotequote all
I have taken out several M steel tanks and repaired them, it's easier than you think.

Disconnect the battery then all the pipes and electricky bits to the tank, pour out the old petrol into a container (NOT the lawn), using the oportunity to swish out the gunge that inevitably settles in the tank. Clean off and brighten-up with emery paper the bottom of the tank (that's where they always get perforated), then fibreglass in place a large sheet of denim off your favourite jeans. You can put some slosh sealant in the tank too if you have a mo.

Cost = about zero if you've got some stuff in stock, works well and none of mine have ever leaked again.

adrian@

4,314 posts

283 months

Monday 26th June 2006
quotequote all
The major causes of fuel smells on M's
1 fuel weeping past the filler neck rubber pipe to the tank joint. Always use 2 opposingly (is there such a word?) done up so that when filling the tank fuel cannot sit between the rubber pipe and the metal filler neck.
2 After market fuel senders having been self-tapper screwed onto the tank,
3 ALLOY FUEL TANKS! which have been put into cars without being painted AND where they have been put on top of old DAMP and RUSTY felt which have then corroded away from the outside.
....2 last month both having been replaced by previous owners within the last 3 years!.
Adrian

brittanytvr

Original Poster:

191 posts

240 months

Monday 3rd July 2006
quotequote all
I have tried to remove the tank( not a success!!I can't remove the big hose near the tank and I think it is alloy)and look after all the hoses and refit( with a little bag around the big hose to isolate), put in 30 liter and no smell??I think when I have made some maintenance and lift the car, perhaps a little leak near the neck , I confirm after LE MANS CLASSIC.
Many thanks.

alan snowling

60 posts

221 months

Tuesday 4th July 2006
quotequote all
Maybe it's the weather? It gets really hot under that huge back window!

I came back from a long run on to Cadwell Park on Sunday, where the car had been standing in the sun for 7 hours and suddenly got a strong petrol smell in the car.

On investigation, one of the overflow pipes had come off at the back of the filler neck. Therefore as the fuel was slopping back and forth in the tank, it was pumping fumes out through the disconnected pipe end. I found that all the fuel pipes, even though fairly new) had softened and needed a good few turns on the clamps to tighten them. I will certainly be checking mine regularly during really hot periods as we've had of late. (if we should be so lucky!)

Alan