Author Topic: Fuel Tank Leak (Read 4381 times)

UKCat · « **on:** August 28, 2006, 04:34:21 PM »

Hi,

1st 126 problem....

Noticed a funny smell from the little car and spotted that the road where it has been parked looked a bit rutted underneath.

Appears the fuel tank is leaking and it soaked into the tarmac and destroyed it!

Now its a fast'ish dripping (one drip every 15 seconds).
I tried getting a hose down the filler to sihon it but it just wouldn't go into the tank to allow me to siphon.

Any ideas on how to empty the tank as it'll take forever to drip empty, plus I can't drive it around to empty it as everytime I park it'll leave a mess underneath it.

All help appreciated and advice on where is best to buy a tank for it and how easy is one to fit?

Thanks
Marcus

Chris Lakin · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2006, 05:17:06 PM »

hi Marcus, where abouts are you? what car is it? BIS aircooled?

there is a used fuel tank on ebay (i dont think a BIS tank fits an aircooled as it has a fuel return, but im sure the top is easily swaped over from your old tank)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/fiat-126-biss-petrol-tank-and-filler-neck_W0QQitemZ220021949783QQihZ012QQcategoryZ10382QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

the tank isnt too hard to take out, its getting back up and secured thats hardest, best to have two people, and use a jack to lower it, the tank itself is held in by 3 bolts, removing the back wheel gives you more room to get your hands in to disconect the fuel lines and sender wire.

you also need to remeove the interior wing card this allows access to disconect the filler neck hose and breather hose.

There is a good chance the clip holding the filler neck hose on has rusted and the pipe has become loose so leaking a bit of fuel or the rubber filler neck pipe has perished (often they do) so you will need another (much easier job than removing a leaky tank), my guess is if it is a hole in the tank all the fuel would have come out by now or would have only come out while you were driving i.e. the fuel being swashed when driving, but as its leaking stationary i think it might be the filler neck pipe.

i hope this helps, ask away for any more info

regards

Chris

UKCat · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2006, 11:57:26 PM »

Hi,

Thanks for the explanation.

I am in Leicestershire so Sockport is some distance away

(
Sorry forgot to mention mine is a Bis so its the right tank as well...

I looked on Axel Girstl and they quote 36 euro but no idea what delivery is likely to cost, someone mentioned 8 euros I think which seems fair.

My main priority is the fuel in it, it had been filled so it probably has about Ã‚Â£12 in it which I don't mind about but it's a lot of fuel to leak out everywhere.

Parked it on the front lawn with a tray underneath to catch the drips and I'm emptying emptying it twice a day (about a half cupful) each time.

Maybe you are right about the filler as I filled it up the neck because the tank is so small perhaps running the tank down it may stop altogether.

How can I siphon some fuel out though in the meantime to maek it a bit safer to be left sat around?

Also where can I buy a manual for it as it's a bit of a mystery at the moment how to do anthing, I'm a keen diy'er not much of a mechanic though without instructions.

Thanks
Marcus

Chris Lakin · « **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2006, 12:25:44 AM »

hi again Marcus, well you get a free CD BIS manual when you join the club

and it allows us to keep the club alive so we can offer this kind of help.

but as im such a nice person to fellow 126 enthusiasts i can point you in the direction of the hungarian 126 club who have the BIS manual online in english!

http://www.fiat126.hu/book.php?book=15

you should be able to syphon it out easily?? if the rubber kneck has actualy slipped off then it might be blocking the syphon tube.

i hope you will still consider joining the club, you get some great stuff and we can boast of another member!!!!

regards

Chris

UKCat · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2006, 01:02:20 AM »

Is the club subscription annual?

Also the CD would be great, is it similar to the one you sent me a link to as it is useful but I would rather have my own manual on disk i think!

Cheers
Marcus

Chris Lakin · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2006, 01:05:38 AM »

exactly the same, manual but without the marks and staines the hungarian site has, you also get additional info too on the CD.

Membership is for 12 months starting from the day you get your membership package.

The clubs own account is being set up, so cheqaues for membership and renewals will soon be made payable fiat126club

regards

Chris

UKCat · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2006, 01:44:38 AM »

I'll definately look at joining once this problem is sorted, in the meantime I've just leached the 288 pages to a folder on my machine for now to be getting on with for general stuff.

Thanks
Marcus

banjomandolin · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2006, 11:08:56 PM »

Hi Marcus: I am at Quorn, Leics and have a spare Bis fuel tank if your problem proves to be a leaking tank and not a filler pipe problem. I removed it from a Bis I was breaking and was not leaking at the time I removed it. One of the 8mm AF studs sheared when I removed the sender / fuel pipe connection flange but it would be an easy job to cut it flush with the tank wall, drill out the remaining stud left and use a self tapper in lieu. I have even killed the exterior rust and painted it a fetching shade of bitumen black. It's yours for Ã‚Â£30 but half that if you join the club !.