Fuel Tank Issue

[Intex]

I've noticed a fairly strong petrol smell whilst sitting in the front seat of my Tuscan (2002). This has bgone on for quite some time now. I've had the car back with the dealer and they said it looked like the seal round the petrol cap was worn, so this was replaced.

However, since the seal was replaced, it's made no difference to the obvious smell of fuel. Then a couple of months later, my friend mate took a look at it. He went the the boot section and pulled the carpet away from the back of the fuel tank. There's two metal straps, with a cover that wrap round the tank itself. On the left-hand strap, it's clear that there's a small leak of fuel somewhere along the line where the strap was once it's moved aside. I can't see where exactly, so it must be very slight. I guess this might explain why, after I fill it up with petrol, it's more noticable as the fuel level would be above where the fracture is and then leaks out. Otherwise I guess it leeks out when the cars being tossed about .

Has this happened to anybody else? It seems that the straps, even though cushioned are not good enough to prevent it from perhaps scraping away at the tank itself which has caused the problem?

Is there anything I can do to fill with something or does this mean I have no choice but to have it replaced?

Any help / advice appreciated.

[kev 1366]

fill the tank so you can find the area where the leak is and mark it some how,then when the fuel is below this level let it dry,then try and seal it.there must be some kind of sealer in this day and age that can withstand petrol?

[Intex]

Cheers Kev - that's what I was thinking of doing. Just need some advise on what I can seal it with. I would have thought there was something out there like that too - even if it's just temporary. I don't really want to go down the road of replacing the whole fuel tank!

[T66ORA]

I used "plumbers mate" for a small leak on my lads VW Polo, it`s a paste like mastic this held for a few months then needed redoing, but this was on the out side not in the boot, so it should work?

[G9eg]

I thought all tuscans smelt of petrol inside the cockpit,especially after filling with petrol.I just thought it was one of those tvr things so never really checked the tank for leaks,but will do now. Thanks Greg.

[yzf1070]

To do a descent repair you will need to take the tank out. Frost do a sealant that you mix and pour into the tank; it lines the inside. Obviously you're going to need to work out some sort of cushioning fix around the straps to avoid a reoccurance.

www.frost.co.uk/productList.asp?catID=25

Good luck
G

[BliarOut]

You may be able to fix it from the outide. I used an epoxy steel filler to repair a motorcycle crankcase after the chain went through it about three years ago. It was on the jointline to make matters worse. Applied the putty, filed and oil stoned the epoxy metal and the repair was completely oil tight. Three years on it is still as good as when I did it, despite the high temperatures and constant oil bath. As long as you apply it carefully and chemically clean the surface the repair is as good as the parent material.

Can't remember the name of it first thing on a Monday, but it works

[Intex]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the advice from all.