It's always something...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 938
Likes: 15
From: Valdosta Georgia
It's always something...
I noticed the other day sitting at a stop light that the engine temp was climbing. Underway the temp dropped below 200, but at the light it was around 215 or so. I had two 12" electric fans, but obviously they weren't doing the job without a shroud. So instead of fabricating a shroud I decided to just re install the old fan and shroud. Temps stayed solid at 195, even with the air on at stop lights. Problem solved, no cost. So I go and totally fill the tank. Next morning I wake up and go into the garage and the smell of fuel was like a wall. I replaced the fuel cap and all the rubber lines at the top of the tank (it's an 82 so everything is on top). The hoses looked to be original, so once I get the new ones on (took a bit since I didn't drop the tank) I tested it. No leaks no seepage, all is well. I did all the work outside to let the garage air out. Get up this morning, fumes are back. An inspection showed that the leak is along the seam of the tank on the passenger side. The new tank should be here Monday. It's gonna be loads of fun getting 22 gallons of gas out of the tank and storing it while I remove and replace this tank. Does anyone have any tips for draining the tank on an 82?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 938
Likes: 15
From: Valdosta Georgia
I acquired a hand pump and hoses from a friend just in case no one had any better ideas, beats the suck and spit option, lol. I've done that before, and I hate the taste... I really wish I'd seen this before I filled the tank. That's a lot of fuel to move.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 81
From: Hamilton Virginia
Just some things people write, remind me of how dirty my mind thinks. I am a Guy, its in me DNA. 
I have never syponed gas, but I thought you were supposed to blow into the hose and it would cause the gas to come back out. I could be wrong though.
I have never syponed gas, but I thought you were supposed to blow into the hose and it would cause the gas to come back out. I could be wrong though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
I actually dip or coiled a good length of the hose directly into the tank and let the fuel fill up inside the tubing. About two to three feet of it. Then I hold my thumb really tight over the open end at the top, so that it holds the fuel in the hose, while pulling out the fuel-filled hose or tube out of the tank and then when I get it up and over the tail of the car and down to the gas can, I position the tube close to the opening and let go. Classic siphon! It helps to have clear tubing, so you can see if you've got the fuel loaded up in the hose. The thumb over the open end stops the fuel from leaving the hose. That's what I did last time and it worked well. Just make sure the tubing is long enough to pull it off. Best of all, no gasoline-mouth-wash taste either!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,928
Likes: 841
From: melbourne florida
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 82
I'm not a expert in this area but a aircraft mechanic told me to drain into metal cans instead of plastic container....they are less likely to produce static electricity. Be sure everything is grounded also.
The mechanic told me about defueling a mutli million dollar helo, it was lost due to static during the process.
Kevin
The mechanic told me about defueling a mutli million dollar helo, it was lost due to static during the process.
Kevin
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 938
Likes: 15
From: Valdosta Georgia
I know about the grounding thing, and it's true that metal is less prone to static than plastic. I think as long as I keep the containers on the ground, and the hose in contact with the fuel neck on the car and the container I should be okay. Thanks for all the wisdom and ideas, and Scrappy, you aren't the only one with a dirty mind, lol.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,796
Likes: 1,706
From: Summerville SC
Put the hose as far into the tank as you can, the object is the more gas you get into the hose at first, the less air you will have to suck out. Put the new can on the ground and gravity will work it's magic. Actually, have 2 cans, that way when the first one is full, you can just switch the hose over to the second can. while that is filling you can be emptying the first can. As mentioned above, put all of it into your other vehicles, save the last can to put into the new fuel tank. Spoekn from experience.Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,349
Likes: 1,578
From: los altos hills california
I was sure I had a leaky tank but kept looking and discovered that the filler neck was dimpled enough around the mounting bolts that the gasket no longer sealed. Gas smell was only there when the tank was full. Got a new kit and noticed that those little bolts had an o-ring seal. Must be there for some reason, eh?
Oh yeah one more thing about the new kit, the new filler neck was not flat so my problem now had moved to the gas cap where that gasket now wouldn't seal. I would have had to remove too much material to get the filler flat (made in China?) but fortunately my local parts guy had a good used neck.
Anyway that's a possibility you may not have thought of.
Oh yeah one more thing about the new kit, the new filler neck was not flat so my problem now had moved to the gas cap where that gasket now wouldn't seal. I would have had to remove too much material to get the filler flat (made in China?) but fortunately my local parts guy had a good used neck.
Anyway that's a possibility you may not have thought of.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 938
Likes: 15
From: Valdosta Georgia
Hugie, I replaced two hoses at the top of the tank. They attached to hard lines going towards the passenger side of the car. Are there other hoses going down the side? I thought that the hard lines continued with bends down the side of the tank to the frame rail. After going back out and reaching up along the tank from the wheel well I didn't feel any rubber hoses. I did notice that there was no leakage directly after I replaced the hoses at the top of the sending unit. The leaking started after I'd shut down and the car sat for a few hours. Regardless I'll find out what is up with it all when I drop the tank. Since the tank has shipped and the money is spent I'll install the tank for peace of mind and while it is out of the car I'll inspect the fuel lines and replace as necessary. The lines themselves are not wet at all. The side of the tank below the seam at the rear passenger corner is where all the gas wetness is showing up.
Last edited by Drawmain; Jun 7, 2014 at 02:18 PM. Reason: added info
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 938
Likes: 15
From: Valdosta Georgia
I got the new tank installed. The old tank had a 3/8" split in the rear passenger corner. The bladder inside the tank had split because the previous owner left an old fuel pump sock in the tank when he replaced the fuel pump some years ago. The metal cap on the sock must have slit the liner. There was a little over a gallon of gas between the liner and the walls of the tank. All hoses were replaced in the process. No more gas smell.