An alarming fuel leak - Advice urgently sought

C

Classicus

New Member
I have just found that my 73 3500s is leaking fuel from the reserve tap unit located in the engine bay on the right hand side behind the engine. It is a regular drip which drops onto the exhaust and luckily it is in the garage. The Rover Repair Manual states that you should drain the fuel tank and then remove it. Easier said than done. Access is on the scale of a Mini. Fortunately I installed a pit when I had my garage built so I have access from below. With the aid of 'er indoors we will move the vehicle by pushing it into position. I suspect that the leak comes from the tap unit. Can these be serviced or replaced? Assistance would be appreciated and also are nuts on the fuel lines AF Metric,BSF or Whitworth? I do not relish the the thought of staring at a tidy 3500s which I cannot drive.
 
DON'T do it over the pit .Any fuel vapour will sink into the pit and will form an explosive /deadly mixture. You're safer doing it outside.

I think it's John Glinn who says you can just change an O ring. I don't know how to stop the fuel flow. I wouldn't want to put clamps on a plastic fuel line
Dave
 
Sorry I can't provide a definitive solution, but depending on the amount of fuel in the tank, if the car were raised up at the front (on ramps or axle stands), the fuel level may drop below the tap so that it can be disconnected without leaking. Just a thought, no promises though!

To pick up on Dave H's last point, once I'd drained the fuel to allow me to fix my fuel pump, I took the opportunity to replace the plastic fuel pipe with rubber hose. Now if a problem arises, I can clamp it safely to stop (and fix) leaks.

Mike
 
DaveHerns said:
DON'T do it over the pit .Any fuel vapour will sink into the pit and will form an explosive /deadly mixture. You're safer doing it outside.
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Exactly. DON'T, DON'T, DON'T work on anything to do with the fuel system over the pit. Once the fumes get down there you'll never get them out as the vapour is heavier than air.
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My gratefull thanks for the helpfull advice I have received, particularly as it comes from 18,000km away! Yes, i propose to drain the fuel tank but i will not be removing the fuel lines from below as advised by the Rover Manual. I will siphon it out into drums using one of those modern siphoning devices. My experience over many years has shown that altering things that have been in place for many years (like window rubbers) rarely go back to the way they were. My main concern is getting access to the reserve tap unit out and getting it serviced if that can be achieved. The Rover fuel lines appear to be partly metal and also a rigid black plastic. i would appreciate any advice on this. Yes, I heeded the warning on fuel vapour and it is very relevant. If all this is successful and I am back on the road I propose to start a new topic: " Is petrol expensive? Not compared with ale it isn't"
John
(from the colonies)
 
I have successfully drained the fuel tank and waited over a week before climbing into the pit following the stern warning from the Rovering Member regarding fuel vapour. i find I cannot access the resrve tap from below!! I have access from above for one hand. Is it possible to remove the inside of the tap, replace the O ring and refit it fom above? (I will have to remove the little screw as well, of course) Also does the fuel line from the tap unit to the carbs have an O ring also where it connects to the tap unit?
 
Quote from a previous post... (thank ianp6man)
"hi,
undo the little screw on the cylinder and pull it apart, there is an 'o' ring in there and that is all that stops the petrol leaking out, with you opening and shutting the tap it is leaking past it. replace and it will cure the problem."
 
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