Fuel, Gas, Petrol, Leak

[CORover]

Over the last year or 2 I have replaced the primary filler tube and the smaller vent tube that goes to the middle of the tank. The last 2 times at the pump, I started to notice gas leaking out somewhere near the filler neck when the tank was about 3/4 full. Did this twice in a row now. Any ideas on finding the source of the laek without pouring more gas in? Can't use water, not sure about tryiing to pressurize it, might try a smoke test if I can figure out how to get a good seal, and I would have to build a cheap smoke generator. Luckily gas is $1.25 right now where I was filling up. I stopped as soon as I saw the dripping.

 

[jymmiejamz]

I bought a smoke tester off of amazon. It works great and has many uses. I made an adapter for the fuel system out of an old gas cap. I just epoxied an air line fitting to it.

 

[CORover]

I have most of the parts to build one, I guess since I have the time I will have to do it. How do you get the very low air pressure needed for it? I am not sure my compressor will go that low.

 

[jymmiejamz]

I have most of the parts to build one, I guess since I have the time I will have to do it. How do you get the very low air pressure needed for it? I am not sure my compressor will go that low.

I think the one I have does about 1.5 psi. The regulator is not adjustable. At the dealership we have a smoke tester that is adjustable and I usually set it to .5 psi for a fuel tank. With a leak as large as you are talking about it shouldn't be hard to find with a little smoke.

 

[CORover]

Which one did you buy? I made mine but it seems sketchy and I don't feel confident introducing something that produces smoke by getting a wire glowing hot to smoke oil, and then sticking that tube in my gas tank. I think I can't get low enough pressure too. I was seeing oil at the end of the hose I was using.

 

[jymmiejamz]

Pretty much every shop has a smoke machine testing fuel systems for leak (among other things). At the dealership we used to use nitrogen instead of compressed air, but now we just use the machine that uses compressed air. I wouldn't be worried about the safety aspect of it.

I just went through my emails and this is the one I bought. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...9c2-b1acced805da&pf_rd_r=02KT9Z11DBHD0QSRN9FV

 

[CORover]

Well I found the leak. I used a really long hose to keep everything away from the smoke source and used a rag to plug the gas nozzle. Turned out to be the shitpart filler vent hose ESR1056 that I just replaced 18 months ago. Sucks, now I have to drop the tank again and I just filled it up. Guess I will wait a while, but since I am not driving much now, it could be a few weeks.

 

[Frobisher]

I replaced my vent hose a few months back using 3/4” fuel-rated tubing from O’Reillys. It’s a drag to do it again, but it might be a little cheaper that way.

 

[Jimmy]

Pretty sure I did the same... used 3/4" fuel line.

 

[discostew]

I have most of the parts to build one, I guess since I have the time I will have to do it. How do you get the very low air pressure needed for it? I am not sure my compressor will go that low.

I think the best regulator for what your trying to do would be one off a propane grill. I think that regulates down to about 2 psi
One of the better ones I've seen was made from an ammo box. Lots of write ups on it floating around YouTube.
To me it's just a pain in the ass to keep the wick wet, but not too wet. Too much fucking around for me.
I prefer the smoke wizard. There's always been one around the shops I've worked at, and I don't think I've ever seen one fail. If I ever suck it up and buy one of my own. That's the one I'll buy.

 

[discostew]

I have most of the parts to build one, I guess since I have the time I will have to do it. How do you get the very low air pressure needed for it? I am not sure my compressor will go that low.

I think the best regulator for what your trying to do would be one off a propane grill. I think that regulates down to about 2 ps

 

[CORover]

I appreciate good tools and that is what I try to buy, but I have to balance that with how much am I going to use it. This is the first time in a decade that I needed a smoke machine. It just happened to be used on two vehicles in the same week. It might be another 10 years before I need one again. I prefer to borrow or rent this kind of stuff, maybe I will try to do that next time, but for now it did the job I needed.

So 3/4 inch ID fuel rated hose. I recall it being about 3 feet long, maybe I buy 4 feet and cut it to length. I just hope it lasts longer than the crap I put in last time.

 

[Frobisher]

I appreciate good tools and that is what I try to buy, but I have to balance that with how much am I going to use it. This is the first time in a decade that I needed a smoke machine. It just happened to be used on two vehicles in the same week. It might be another 10 years before I need one again. I prefer to borrow or rent this kind of stuff, maybe I will try to do that next time, but for now it did the job I needed.

So 3/4 inch ID fuel rated hose. I recall it being about 3 feet long, maybe I buy 4 feet and cut it to length. I just hope it lasts longer than the crap I put in last time.

4' would definitely have you covered. It sure looked substantial enough for me.

 

[CORover]

So I am having trouble getting the hose started on the tank side. I am guessing the 3/4 inch is a little smaller than was was original. I have dropped the tank a bit and can get my hand in the fuel pump access hole, I just cant get enough leverage to start the hose.

For those that have used this hose, did you fully drop the tank? It is the fuel rated Gates 3/4 inch ID stuff that auto parts stores sell. 27 or 28 inches is enough.

 

[jymmiejamz]

Spray it with some lubricant like silicone spray or wd-40

 

[Frobisher]

I dropped my tank when I did mine, but spraying a little lube should ease it on. I don’t recall the brand, but it was 3/4” ID fuel-rated. Maybe that’s a tad smaller than the original, but it will definitely go.

 

[Jimmy]

I too probably dropped the tank. I suspect I used a heat gun to "soften" the hose, and a little lube of some kind to slip it on.

Giggity giggity.

 

[best4x4]

I recently just did this on my 95 D1 and I used 3/4 Gates Fuel Line. I lubed the end at the gas tank and it went on. The 3/4 Gates line looks like it will last a lot longer vs that replacement hose from AllMakes4x4 (my AllMakes4x4 unit lasted maybe 2 months) as it's a re-enforced line vs just a plain rubber line.

 

[JUKE179r]

I just went through my emails and this is the one I bought. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...9c2-b1acced805da&pf_rd_r=02KT9Z11DBHD0QSRN9FV

That's a good one right there.

 

[CORover]

So when replacng my fuel pump and this vent line hose over the last few months, most of the plastic screw holders for the service cover have disintegrated. Are there any usable replacements for these available at parts or hardware stores? Or do I just have to pick and pull old crap and hope they don't turn to dust?