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[bootie]

Been informed by SWMBO that the fuel leaks when the tank is filled.
I am not there before anyone says have a look......

So the question is this, these tanks are plastic right?
Are the various breathers also made of plastic, are they fragile?
Apart from the filler neck connection, is the most likely place for it to leak from the access to the lift pump?
As far as I know it is not leaking from the filler neck connection and a quick inspection of the underneath of the tank by my young lad has revealed a stain path coming from above.
Had this been an old metal tank same as the Carlton, I would have just got a new tank for all they cost, but this one being plastic should not have the same corrosion problems associated with the breather spigots, unless someone can tell me different.
If it does turn out to be the lift pump access point, can you get new rubber seals for these or do you have to buy a complete unit?

For the moment it's just going to be max 30 litres in so she doesn't waste any more fuel!

Ideally I would like a diagram type drawing showing location and number of breathers and any apertures.

TIA
Jon

[raywilb]

  its a 2.5 td I presume, I once had a similar problem  & it turned out to be from the lift pump. in my case tightening sorted it. I was told to sprinkle some talcum powder in the vicinity that I thought the leak was from & see if it washes away. I seem to recall they are plastic tanks, but sometimes the metal pipe as it disappears from tank can corrode, & the stain suggest it may be the cause.

[bootie]

Right, I think I know what you mean, I would need to have a look myself at those elbows coming from the top of the pump.
I'm taking a wild stab in the dark here but there has never been any starting or running problems since this leak, hopefully this means there are no splits in the actual fuel lines.
This lift pump,was taken out about 18 months ago for cleaning (the dreaded non start if under 20 litres In the tank) I suppose it's possible the securing ring may have loosened over that time and caused the rubber ring seal to deform with leaking diesel.
This will have to wait until September, my next visit to UK!

Thanks for that.

Jon

[zirk]

Not sure if the actual tanks are the same on the Estates between Diesel and Petrol, I know the pumps are different, but on the petrol estates the metal feeder pipes on the top plate can rust and leak off all over the top of the tank, just before the joining pipe.

[Doctor Gollum]

Not sure if the actual tanks are the same on the Estates between Diesel and Petrol, I know the pumps are different, but on the petrol estates the metal feeder pipes on the top plate can rust and leak off all over the top of the tank, just before the joining pipe.

There's a balance pipe that runs across the axle side of the estate tank, connecting the taller left hand side to the filler side... allows the tank to be brimmed

[Stargazer57N]

Have you check the metal pipes which run from the plastic hoses going to the sender unit, had to replace mine today. Aslos is the engine struggling to start?

[bootie]

Morning, no, no problem starting or running, that was the first thing I asked.
As long as the tank is not filled then no leak.
Was unaware of the balance pipe, thanks for that info.
I read the section on how to clean a diesel lift pump and IIRC mine is the same, with the metal elbows then a short section of hose before the actual fuel lines.
With me not being there, I can't experiment with the tank levels to see when it actually begins to leak.
As this is the Elite it is pretty soft suspension wise and does lean a bit in corners, so, like I said, for now SWMBO is only going to keep 1/2 a tank as max. Fuel gauge is or was fairly accurate in that respect and since we had the lift pump cleaned out we can go below the 20l mark without worrying about starting.
If it does turn out to be the top of the tank where the lift pump is, can you buy a seal separate, or is it one of those occasions where you have to buy the whole assembly?

Cheers
Jon

[raywilb]

Morning, no, no problem starting or running, that was the first thing I asked.
As long as the tank is not filled then no leak.
Was unaware of the balance pipe, thanks for that info.
I read the section on how to clean a diesel lift pump and IIRC mine is the same, with the metal elbows then a short section of hose before the actual fuel lines.
With me not being there, I can't experiment with the tank levels to see when it actually begins to leak.
As this is the Elite it is pretty soft suspension wise and does lean a bit in corners, so, like I said, for now SWMBO is only going to keep 1/2 a tank as max. Fuel gauge is or was fairly accurate in that respect and since we had the lift pump cleaned out we can go below the 20l mark without worrying about starting.
If it does turn out to be the top of the tank where the lift pump is, can you buy a seal separate, or is it one of those occasions where you have to buy the whole assembly?

Cheers
Jon

  I would imagine if its leaking from the top it could be the lift pump seal may not be on quite right. they are a cow to press down & screw at the same time. also a lot of cars have the same set up I once used an omega seal on an old skoda my son had. a smell of diesel in the interior is also an indicator. I would imagine the rubber seal is available on its own