Tanking it!
The fuel tank on a Bay Window is hidden away in front of the engine (concealed by a removable panel) and behind the rear seat squab. It’s generally forgotten about until the smell of petrol emerges and action needs to be taken before posing a potential fire risk. Petrol fumes and leaks can be caused by a number of issues, which have become more widespread due to the increasing levels of bio-ethanol in petrol. Petrol tanks can corrode because higher ethanol content fuels generate more moisture, carburettors can become blocked if the engine hasn’t been run for a long time and fuel lines and filler necks have broken down more rapidly.
The petrol tank in a Bay Window uses a series of expansion tubes as breathers. This pipework is largely made of metal, but some sections are joined by short lengths of rubber hose, which should be renewed.
The following steps show what’s involved in removing a fuel tank and renewing the fuel lines and filler neck. New fuel tanks are available along with fuel lines and the correct shape of filler neck.
