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VS Statesman fuel tank

Ricardotaco

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Hi, I’m hoping someone out there might have a fix for a minor problem I have with my fuel tank.

I’ve been having ongoing problems with a strong smell of fuel from the tank. I replaced the breather pipes but the smell continued.

I have now dropped my tank to clean and seal it (rust issues) and have found what I believe to be the problem.

inside the tank there are 2 pressure regulating valve assemblies that are linked by a small 4mm metal pipe which then beaches off to the smaller vent pipe. I believe these prevent negative pressure (so allow air to be drawn in rather than out).

Both are linked with a crossover pipe which then branches off toward the external part of the pipe work, however there seems to be a small junction piece missing, per photo. Without this being joined the vapour just vents straight to the atmosphere!

Does anyone know for sure that there should be a junction / union at this point and, if so what material will be best? I presume submersible fuel line given the harsh environment it is in, however it only looks to be about 4 or 5 mm in diameter! Maybe nylon? Teflon? Silicone?

I’ve attached 2 images, one showing one of the valves, the other showing the void between the 2 sections of pipe.

Hopefully someone can assist!

BTW.....fitting will be challenging however I’ve made a super long set of long nose pliers (cut & shut) so I can work through the sender opening. Something like keyhole surgery!
 

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RWD4ever

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The second picture is the vapour-liquid seperator, which stops petrol getting into the charcoal cannister.
 

Ricardotaco

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The second picture is the vapour-liquid seperator, which stops petrol getting into the charcoal cannister.
Thanks, so with a break in the plumbing they’re not doing much at all! I’m probably not drawing fuel into the charcoal canister but if I am it will account for my occasional rough running and poor mileage!
 

Ricardotaco

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Tank fixed!

After a quick trip to u-pull-it to grab a number of nylon fuel lines from modern European cars I was able to find a suitable hose for in-tank use. The modern nylon hose / line will outlive the car!


Having found a match I was able to cut a section about 70mm long and using my modified & extremely long long-nose pliers I was able to fit one end over one section of fixed vent pipe. I had hoped to be able to manipulate the other end over the second section of fixed vent pipe but that was never going to happen!

Instead I released the soldered joint where the same section of pipe exits the top of the tank and was then able to guide the pipe and new hose into place. The new nylon hose is a really snug fit so I’m confident it will provide a vapour seal and never move!

The vent pipe was then silver soldered back into position.

So now my tank is cleaned, sealed inside, has a new pump and submersible return line. I again used my same modified pliers to attach the new line to the swirl pot using a basic spring clamp.

I’m now going to re-fit the tank using nylon hose for the vent pipes and hopefully it will never cause me any problems again!
 

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