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Fuel Leak at Fill Up
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:42 am
by LibTimothy
On two occasions, while filling my tank, I ended up with gas running out and spilling on the ground. I usually fill the tank to the top, but this is not coming from the filler opening. I can look in the filler and see gas about three inches from the top. But at that point gas is running out at a pretty good clip.
Is there a vent? Or is there a hole? Or is it something else?
What am I looking for?
Thanks!
Timothy
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:56 am
by Jerbearyukon
Tha thappened to me too - When I got to Dennis's shop the flexible hose on the top was loose.
Jer BEar
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:03 am
by Erik712m
Tim, there is a vent pipe it behind the seat and runs out side. i think topping it off pushes some of the gas thru the vent.
Vent?
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:17 am
by LibTimothy
I'll look to see if the filler hose is loose.
I'm talking about cups of gas here, not drops. BIG puddles of gas. Expensive puddles of gas.
Thanks.
Timothy
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:46 am
by GenevaPinz
When I purchased my Pinz, the previous owner was kind enough to fill it up before letting me go with my new toy, and the same thing happened: he didn't pay attention to the gas level and when the gas nozzle finally clicked off, gas was pouring down the side of the tank...
I think it went through the curved vent pipe which starts alongside the fuel filler tube and ends between the top of the tank and the pinz body. In such case, it works more like an overflow pipe...
Jan
OK
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:39 pm
by LibTimothy
GenevaPinz,
I am not getting it full up to the little vent hole. The fuel level is about two inches below the little hole. It is something below that but above the tank itself.
The trouble is, I can't tell when I am full, but below the leak when filling it.
Thanks!
Timothy
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:00 pm
by Erik712m
if it is leaking you should be able to see gas on the inside around the filler neck boot
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:31 pm
by Jim LaGuardia
The only places that can leak at the tank are the vent hose, filler neck hose upper or lower clamp, fuel distribution port gasket (or supply hose), or the fuel sender gasket.
To try to pin point it you can spray the suspect areas with foot powder or spray powder deoderant, fill till it leaks, then follow the sags in the powder to the source.
Fuel sender gasket can be replaced without removing the tank (most common leak I find):roll:
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:04 pm
by Erik712m
The pinz god has spoken, Jim [quote]foot powder or spray powder deoderant[/quote] gret idea do you keep those handy in the shop so when Dave comes by you can freshen up?

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:21 pm
by Erik712m
Jim, can you correct any of my fallowing comments. So that the next time we have leaks around the tank we can hit the search button and pull this up. If the fuel leaks at the fuel sender it will leak just before the the gas hits the filler neck inside the tank. if it is leaking at the filler neck hose upper or lower clamp fuel will be noted on the inside of the cab around the at the top or bottom of the hose. how do you spot the leak at the vent?
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:22 pm
by man on the mule
the first ime i tried to fill my 710 to the top with gas the beast started the spill of the lifetime.it leaked until the gas level was below the top of the tank, maybe a quart or two. the cork gasket at the gas guage sending sending unit was in about 6 pieces. a little gasket paper and no more leak.
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:31 pm
by McCall Pinz
Mine did the same thing. It was leaking from the lower filler neck connection, but it never leaked inside the cab. Mine has a "corrugated" rubber covering hose, that I had to pull up to expose the actual filler neck hose clamps. The corrugated one has a double lip on the bottom and it really needs to seal tight to the metal floor of the cab. It took a lot of dishwashing liquid to get it slippery enough to reseal.
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:02 am
by Lightningpinz
That "Vent Hose" runs from the filler neck to the top rear of the tank. it vents the top of the tank into the filler neck. If you loosen the tank mounting bolts and drop the tank a little ( an inch or 2) you can check the condition of the vent hose. If it is the old braided stuff, you probably need to replace it. Fun job, good luck
Fuel safety
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:16 am
by ScottishPinz
While playing around with the fuel tank / fuel hoses make sure you are not carrying a static electric charge and keep a fire extinguisher on hand!
Gas
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:19 am
by LibTimothy
ScottishPinz,
Are you saying that I should not use my flaming Tiki Torch for light when I work around gas????

Thanks for the safety reminder! I guess I need to go find a fire extinguisher before I start, as I do not own one.
I will look at this tomorrow if I get time and will report back. Thanks everyone for the advice!
Timothy