Fuel tank leaking from the top

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mikerajjers

Well-Known Member
Posts
1,467
Location
Bedford UK or Trnava SK
Hi,
my fuel tank is leaking a lot but from the top. Picture below.

Does anybody have ideas as to what the problem could be and what I should check first? Is it likely I will need a new tank?

The tank has been filled up recently but the car has been stood for a few days on a level surface.
Its a 90 TD5 with fuel filler near the back on the right hand side.

Thanks

defender-fuel-tank.jpg
 
Yup, looks like a familiar TD5 problem to me. I had this when I bought mine and it turned out to be the seal where the pump unit fits in the tank. The seal was all rucked up and somebody hadn't put the screw-down collar on properly. If the tank is full the top of the pump is below the fuel level. Plus it sloshes around as you drive.

It's possible for the pipe joints to leak, but my experience has been that they're pretty reliable which is strange considering that they're only push fit clip-on jobbies.
Access to top of tank needed. I believe the Discovery has a little hatch in the boot floor. The Defender is a bit more awkward as you either have to lower the tank or cut a hole in the floor. There's some details from Ratty somewhere (and Shifty I think too) concerning the best place to cut.
 
If you haven't already done it, check that the breather pipe is connected at both ends, as mine came off a few years back and everyone said that I'd need a new tank!!
All it took was about 18" of 3/8" pipe and a couple of jubillee clips ... job sorted!
 
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