Gas dripping at rear after fill-up

[beandip]

I just filled the tank on the 240 and noticed gas was dripping from the rear. After inspection it appears to be running down a black hose that is located almost at the far rear. If you look up from the ground it is behind the tank, nearer the taillight(right side).

Any ideas why at half a tank it doesnt leak, but full it's dripping?

Thanks,

If the leak is dripping from a hose in the rear of the tank as you said . This is a vent line . However this vent line connects to the tank near the top . There is another vent line that is connects to the lower section of the tank, in the back also . This one is on the driver side across from the muffler. If you replace these hoses be sure to use gasoline rated hose. Nappa carries 5/8'' hose that is for gasoline. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES APPLY FLAME TO YOUR FUEL TANK. Using exhaust gasses from a engine and then using a torch to solder is asking for and explosion. and you will make he news at 11:00 . JB Weld is not effected by gasoline by the way . I have seen DRY ICE USED TO PURGE FUEL TANKS and it works. But it still is a gamble if you don't know what your doing. I personally have seen and dealt with the results of people trying all sorts of methods of purging gas tanks . As a Fireman assigned to rescue and engine companies in LA . A couple of guys saw God doing this. Tommo WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING ! I have a drawing of the tank and venting system showing all the lines. PM me if I can be of help . Gary

[1 Bravo 6]

Send a prayer of thanks to all the Gods that mankind has ever worshipped since the beginning of time that we have members like Gary,(Beandip), and Escanlon, who KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT !!!!!!

That could have been disasterous !!!.

Rick.

:devious: :devious:

[Victor Laury]

I've worked in the underground tank field for the last 25 years. We dry ice tanks that even after triple rinsing, even after they've been open to the environment for years! Too many people have been killed, all of them knew for sure that, "There can't be any gas fumes in that tank by now".

Dry ice or nitrogen flush, no hot work is done to anything in ambient air.

[V8-240Z]

This is beginning to sound like a wood working forum I used to belong to where a member wanted to know if sucking vapors out on a paint can with a straw before it was sealed up was dangerous. Can we say drain bamage oh I meant to say brain damage.

[a7dz]

There a several good products used to clean and seal gas tanks, none of them use heat of any kind. I too have worked in aircraft fuel cells for over thirty years and I agree with Victor above. We will not even open a tank for entry until it has been purged with nitrogen for at least 72 hours, and then only after we have MEL and LEL levels that are safe for entry.

The sad thing about this post is there is probably nothing wrong with his gas tank except some old leaky hoses. We have had a member put everybody’s life at risk who does not know better on pure uneducated speculation.

I suggest that one of the administrators go back and delete all posts in this thread that put our members lives at risk.

FWIW

[TomoHawk]

The reason things smell like gasoline after many years is because of some of the components of gasoline that are especially "smelly." They act like a kind of oil, or a sludge. In the lab, they drive the analytical instruments crazy, so you have to dilute the samples to get it to go through. The same components will pretty much soak into the metal and it's really hard to get rid of them, and even in minute amounts, you can still smell them.

Albeit, you should be very careful of gasoline vapors; they are what makes you car's engine "fire up" after all.

This stuff I've learned after working for years in an EPA lab, analyzing dirt contaminated (or not) with gasoline from storage tanks.

thx

[TomoHawk]

The discussion evolved, Stephen. Maybe Victory didn't advocate a certain technique for purging, but he did share his experience that hopefully, was successful for him.

[sblake01]

The discussion only 'evolved' after you (post 9) took it in that direction. You can answer me if you wish, but I am done here.

[ddezso]

As you can see from my post (#2) I have the same issue. As the son of a 35 year Seattle firefighter I too am super concerned with safety as we all should be.

My original plan was to drop the tank and do the POR-15 routine described in a wonderful do it yourself article on the site. I am now reconsidering that.

I have searched for fuel cell threads and didnt find anything. My questions are:

1) Any advice on where to go for a replacement fuel cell and any perspective on the cost?

2) Are there any decent sources for nice original replacement tanks so I can get a sound replacement that is original (and redo all of the hoses, etc)? I cant find any tanks for sale through my normal sources.

Thanks,

Derek

[Darrel]

7' of the 5/8" fuel rated hose for the vent hose that is on the driver side on the lower portion of the tank.

After 14 yrs of sitting, the one in my 240 leaked like a sieve after filling it up. You don't have to drop the tank to replace this hose. You will have to get to the expansion tank inside the pass side to replace it at that end.

[MAX]

I too have had the same problem with a fuel leak after filling the tank. My leak turned out to be the vent hose that connects on the driver's side of the tank right next to the muffler. It was leaking right there about an inch away from the end of the nipple. Just as Darrel described in the last post....

Prior I had used the POR15 cleaning and sealing kit to redo my tank. It works very well....But be sure it doesn't clog any of the fuel or vent lines.....

Good Luck....

[mally002]

Wow,

I was away for only a day and sure missed alot. I certainly didnt think my question would bring about all this. The good news, it was the vent hose. Since I filled ALL the way up, it was simply going through the vent hose. There has not been one ouce of gas after I ran some out. I will be replacing the vent hose, and when the tank needs addressing, I will gladly pay for that work to be done. I have ZERO experience with that type of work.

Also thanks to eveyone who responded, I have only been a member here for a short time and you guys have helped me numerous times. It is also comforting to know that everyone puts safety first......That means alot.

From a guy that just loves Z cars and will no doubt have numerous other questions.......Thanks

Randy