Fuel tank, fuel filler pipe and fuel cap - talk to me please

[WorldClassAccident]

Great, now I am paranoid about fuel pipe. Is there a grade of pipe I should look for our do I have to buy a selection and try them all

[Charman.tech]

Originally Posted by MoriniMan

I've got paranoid about fuel compatibility these days.

I submerge a sample of hose in fuel (ideally in both unleaded and super-unleaded) for several days to see if it reacts. Some samples swell up within hours or even minutes!

Some hose is only fuel resistant on the inside. The problem there is that you only need a slight leak and the outside swells and the leak gets worse causing more swelling and so on.

I built a Cobra 289 and it always had a fuel smell around the rear end but I never found a leak, I checked everything on numerous occasions, like you became paranoid about it, but resign myself to it being fuel vapour getting through the hose connecting the tank to the Aston filler and it was always swollen. Will not make the same mistake again.

[oxford1360]

Originally Posted by MoriniMan

I've got paranoid about fuel compatibility these days.

Understandably so. The increased amounts of ethanol in modern fuel (and set to increase in 2013) is causing problems, particularly on older cars. Don't just use any old hose. And, certainly don't use old hose.

Read this article if you want to get scared -
http://www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/...ol-update.html

I experienced the bad side of this on a VW Trekker recently. The hoses (about 10 years old) were shot and nearly caused a fire.

[froggyman]

Originally Posted by Charman.tech

I built a Cobra 289 and it always had a fuel smell around the rear end but I never found a leak, I checked everything on numerous occasions, like you became paranoid about it, but resign myself to it being fuel vapour getting through the hose connecting the tank to the Aston filler and it was always swollen. Will not make the same mistake again.

I too have experienced' the fuel smell around the rear end' but I put it down to curry and real ale!!

[MoriniMan]

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident

Great, now I am paranoid about fuel pipe. Is there a grade of pipe I should look for our do I have to buy a selection and try them all

In terms of fuel delivery hose, buying something from a main dealer is usually a safe bet and may be far cheaper than expected. My Morinis use 8mm pipe stubs and the correct hose size for this is 7mm. I bought a complete 10m reel from a VW dealer for about £15.

If you buy hose and it reacts, take or send it back and demand a refund. Report it to trading standards too. That's not to try and punish the supplier, many people never complain and the supplier simply doesn't know! They may have been selling it without problems and have just received a bad batch.

Filler hose is more of a problem. My preference is for as much distance as possible to consist of metal tubing with any flexible joints to be short 'cuffs'. If you can find such a cuff from a recent production vehicle, then it will most likely be compatible.

[WorldClassAccident]

Well I will only need a short cuff of rubber piping. basically to join the metal filler neck from the tank to the metal filler funnel from the cap and to allow for any misalignment or non-matching angles.

The cardboard collar in this photo below is the inner from one 2" tape and is about the right length hopefully. I will check with the hose supplier that what I get is fuel safe.

Thanks

[oxford1360]

I picked up an MX5 tank plus filler neck complete with cuffs for £10 plus a trip to Reading. OK, I'll need to introduce a new mount, but it sits low and flat behind the bulkhead. It may well be safer in an accident (not that bothered about that as I like the idea of leaving this earth in a massive fire ball) and it lowers the CoG a bit.

[WorldClassAccident]

My fuel filler cap is likely to be the first think anyone will hit in a shunt from behind!

Is it wrong to leave this earth in a massive fire ball?

I always assumed that is how I would end up.

[Mister Towed]

Originally Posted by oxford1360

It may well be safer in an accident (not that bothered about that as I like the idea of leaving this earth in a massive fire ball) and it lowers the CoG a bit.

I'm with you on that one - I also find it vaguely amusing to see people who ride motorcycles talking about crash safety. Although, in an accident on a bike I suppose the fuel tank is protected from damage by the pink squashy thing laying on top of it and holding the handlebars.

[oxford1360]

Not many Sammio builders are going to go to heaven, so you may as well bring on the heat straight away.

[MoriniMan]

Fuel leaks and spills are a risk to all road users.

Putting a little bit of effort and thought into selecting fuel compatible materials and mounting the tank and filler neck so that a simple shunt doesn't result in a significant release of fuel isn't much to ask is it?

[WorldClassAccident]

I missed the smiley face off my comment - not suggesting designing cars to burst into flames is a good idea.

I was always dubious about having the fuel filler hanging over the rear bumper.

The silver metal you can see below the tank filler neck is the back of the chassis with the tank itself sat between the main front to rear chassis rails.

The fuel filler cap will be mounted to the bodywork.

There will be a (very) short length of fuel pipe connecting the two.

in the event of a crash, the body work is likely to break first leaving the fuel tank, fuel pipe and fuel filler intact.

hopefully ;-)