Thread: Leaky petrol tank

Originally Posted by Utemad

Hi all,

The petrol tank on my MY95 V8 Discovery is leaking.
It is the standard plastic tank.

The leak appears to come from the 20mm breather pipe at the top of the tank as it only leaks when full and is sloshing about and is visible as a stain on the driver's side of the tank from the area of this 20mm pipe (the top of the tank is channelled).

The first time I dropped the tank I cleaned all the dirt out of the way tightened the hose clamp as it was barely finger tight. This was obviously the leak point as the dirt was petrol stained around the immediate area. This achieved nothing as it leaked just as much the next time I filled up.

Last Sunday I did it all again. I dropped the tank and pulled off the hose for inspection. It seems alright but I changed it end for end to see what would happen and this time used STAG paste on the tank end (rated for petrol). I had bought a new hose but my 1in estimate was wrong. It is 20mm ID.
I filled the tank tonight on Cheap Wednesday. Before I started the car I switched off the petrol pump and ran solely on LPG. When I got home <1km away I checked the tank and it was still leaking. I feel it isn't as bad as before but they may or may not be the case.

So has anyone else had this problem before?
Is this outlet known to crack? I couldn't see any cracks.

I'll get some more hose and replace it when I could be bothered going through that again but I don't think that is going to fix it.

AFAIR Justin, there is a steel tube insert in the plastic outlet, the plastic could've cracked at the point where the tube ends? Pity you aren't down here, I'll give you a tank I have about 3 of them

JC

You should be able to get a tank for next to nothing - I have rarely sold one as they don't rust and it is pretty hard to rupture them. I have thrown plenty away - but only have S2 tanks at this stage. There is probably someone on AULRO in Brisbane who has upgraded to a LR tank and has one they don't need taking valuable room in their shed or garage - else try the likes of ARB who install LR tanks.

Erich

I guess I should arrange to get a spare tank and just fit that and hopefully be done with it.
I got offered another tank the first time but I said don't worry about it as it'll just be the hose

Generally I just fill to 3/4 which takes forever to empty as I run LPG 90% of the time anyway. It is just annoying more than anything.

There was a recall on the V8 tank years ago, apparently didn't effect Australia, where the plastic around the breather pipe cracked, and the tank leaked when full. But I know of several here in Australia where this happened, including to mine. You could seal it up, or replace it with a long range tank, which is what I did - good excuse.

i had a similar problem not long ago. i thought it was the same problem as you. was forever cleaning, changing pipes etc to find the source. ended up being the rubber 'O' ring on the sender unit.

Originally Posted by Lucy

There was a recall on the V8 tank years ago, apparently didn't effect Australia, where the plastic around the breather pipe cracked, and the tank leaked when full. But I know of several here in Australia where this happened, including to mine. You could seal it up, or replace it with a long range tank, which is what I did - good excuse.

Interesting to know. Thanks.

I originally wanted a long range tank but with the reduced departure angle and the fact I don't actually need one at the moment I will just get another normal tank or try and fix this one.

Originally Posted by shorty disco

i had a similar problem not long ago. i thought it was the same problem as you. was forever cleaning, changing pipes etc to find the source. ended up being the rubber 'O' ring on the sender unit.

I'm 100% sure it is the breather outlet due to where it is running off the tank and the stained dirt around the outlet.
However when I replaced my pump two years ago I rang FWD and asked how much for another rubber seal. They said they didn't know as they didn't stock them and had never sold one!
Maybe a complete new pump housing comes with one. I just replaced the pump inside the housing.

Originally Posted by Utemad

I originally wanted a long range tank but with the reduced departure angle and the fact I don't actually need one at the moment I will just get another normal tank or try and fix this one.

I have a LongRanger 120L tank - no reduced departure angle! I actually pulled it out of the V8 before it went to heaven, and the same tank is now in my Tdi. Didn't worry about replacing the seals around fuel pump sender unit, they were in good nick, and no leaks since with either vehicle the tank was in.

Originally Posted by Lucy

I have a LongRanger 120L tank - no reduced departure angle!

That's good but with my current rear bumper/towbar setup unless the bottom of the tank follows the exact same lines as the standard plastic one then it will reduce departure angle. It is all tucked up nicely.
Would be nice though.