Fuel tank eruption!! - any ideas??

[ajcerb]

Have just had second starter motor in 8 months fitted, picked car up on Sat morning and drove back into london and filled up on the way into town. Parked up and came out after an hour. Started up the car, would start but not idle - just cutting out as soon as foot off accelerator. Tried a couple of times and no change. Started to smell fuel. Thought it was from turning engine over, but then seemed too strong a smell. Went to the filler, took off the cap and fuel pushing up and over the top of the lip and running down the side of the boot. NOT GOOD! Siphoned a gallon off into a tank and then tried the car again. Started ok and ran ok. Following day big problems with car going haywire which it seems is likely to be the Big Fuse gone.

So... my main question is does anyone know why the fuel could be pouring out of the filler like Vesuvius?? Clearly a bit worrying. Could it be related to the big fuse packing up, in some way. Is it possible to overfill the tank and have it expand on a hot day + exhaust heat? Or is it more sinister than that??

Be grateful for input.

[mastiff]

Fairly common I'm afraid.

best advice is to fill only until the pump cuts off,and leave it there. Do not try and round up to the next even pound.

This can happen at this time of year to ALL TVR tanks, not just Cerbera. If unnoticed is can actually flow back out of the filler neck and damage the paintwork.

Something to do with ambient temperature and contractink tanks i think.....

[ajcerb]

thanks mastiff - glad to hear that it isn't just me. will make sure i stop on the first click instead of adding two more for good measure. Was really worried something very odd, and expensive, was happening, which on top of the nightmare weekend i have had with it would have been the straw to break the camel's back.