Fuel Leak

[CDP]

I have a 1992 Talbot Express camper van and I occasionally smelt petrol when walking past it. Tried starting it and seems like there's no fuel. Shouldn't take much working out really?

Getting underneath the fuel tank looks pretty much as new with no rust whatsoever (even the bolts haven't lost their plating); in fact the whole vehicle is mint underneath and has probably never seen salt. I assumed it was a perished hose but all the hoses go into the top half of the tank - there must be some sort of swirl chamber inside it. Besides, the pipes look good.

I doubt it would siphon the last drop but any suggestions before I get the tank out would be quite welcome.

[stevieturbo]

Not quite sure what the question is ?

If there is a leak, just find it ? Shouldnt be that difficult.

[theshrew]

^ ^ ^ What he said.

Why remove the tank the leak could be coming from anywhere.

If you do need to remove the tank, you dont need to take every last drop of fuel of of it.

[CDP]

But for the tank to be showing empty when I'm sure I parked it half full (in October..) suggests it's leaked while standing. This means it has to be a low part of the system.

Going to check all the pipes again though; I did this on changing the spark plugs so know they were good about a year ago.

[stevieturbo]

CDP said:

But for the tank to be showing empty when I'm sure I parked it half full (in October..) suggests it's leaked while standing. This means it has to be a low part of the system.

Going to check all the pipes again though; I did this on changing the spark plugs so know they were good about a year ago.

If half a tank of fuel leaked out onto the ground and you didnt see some signs of it....Specsavers ?

So is there actually any fuel in the tank, or you just guessing ? And obvious thing to try, is put some in the tank.

[CDP]

stevieturbo said:

CDP said:

But for the tank to be showing empty when I'm sure I parked it half full (in October..) suggests it's leaked while standing. This means it has to be a low part of the system.

Going to check all the pipes again though; I did this on changing the spark plugs so know they were good about a year ago.

If half a tank of fuel leaked out onto the ground and you didnt see some signs of it....Specsavers ?

So is there actually any fuel in the tank, or you just guessing ? And obvious thing to try, is put some in the tank.

Onto a gravel drive over a couple of months a few gallons could seep out unnoticed if the leak is tiny.

I did put some fuel in so I'll be sniffing around for leaks tomorrow, it did start after a fair bit of cranking (normally on the button). Looking up on the web there is mention of the carb draining back into the petrol tank so maybe I hadn't cranked it long enough.

It might be me being stupid but I'm pretty sure there was much more fuel in it when I parked up.

[stevieturbo]

And is it an electric pump ? mechanical pump ?

Even on gravel, I'd find it hard to believe there would be no signs of a leak. Once it rains the markings would be everywhere

[CDP]

stevieturbo said:

And is it an electric pump ? mechanical pump ?

Even on gravel, I'd find it hard to believe there would be no signs of a leak. Once it rains the markings would be everywhere

It's not moved since Cadwell Park.