23 replies to this topic

[Johno]

I have a 4 door LX with an after market drop tank. Upon filling it up for the second time ever I noticed fuel leaking out of the air vent while filing from a 10L fuel tank with a fairly long spout.

The air vent is quite a way down the drop tank filler neck, maybe 10 - 15cm. So when filling some of it just leaks out the vent onto the floor.

Is this just a poor design or is there some trick to filling them other than using an extra long spout?

If I were to attempt filling it from servo fuel pump there would be a fair bit of fuel lost.

[dron]

There should not be an open vent hole in the filler neck. It would need to have a hose attached to it.  I would think it connects to the top of the tank to let the air travel from the tank to the top of the filler. That is how most tanks are set up. They do it to stop an air lock proventing the filling of the tank compleatly.

[Johno]

Thanks dron, I’m not sure where a hose would go. I’ve got more pics below of a hose elsewhere in the tank:

More pics

The second pic above is a hose going up into the boot and this pic is in the boot:

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[Johno]

Sorry, the second pic above is a hose going up into the boot and the third pic is where that hose lands in the boot which looks like a dead end.

[Statler]

OMFG!

That tank is a disaster! 

[Johno]

Can you elaborate Statler?

I’ve never had one before.

[Johno]

Is that hose just meant to go to the air vent instead of the boot?

[neglectedtorana]

Where the fitting comes out of the tank looks like the correct spot for the breather that jodi s directly to the fill pipe instead of going to the boot.

Is that fitting held in with putty or something?
Is the fitting plastic?

My drop tank didn't hear that fitting when I got so I had 1 welded in,

Hope you work it out

[Statler]

Can you elaborate Statler?

I’ve never had one before.

It looks like it has been built in someones back yard. 

The longitudinal seams are MIG (poorly) welded instead of folded. 

 

I've got a pineapple that says there is no manufacturers tag on the tank & that it won't meet the Australian Standards. 

 

Insurance companies are well aware of this & it gives them an out to deny a claim. 

 

I'm curious , are there any vent tubes on the inboard side of the tank? 

[Johno]

This car just keeps on giving.

Does anyone know who I could take the car to to get this sorted? In the ACT preferably but I’d take it to Sydney if I had to.

[Statler]

They are old cars. They are supposed to do that.

 

Personally i would slip over to Melbourne & grab a nice new Brown Davis 90L tank.  

[dron]

the hose in the boot should not be their. Looks like about the right place for a vent for the tank and most likley should go th the top of the filler neck, If it is only glued in as it looks to be I would think remove, Degas, weld and refit would be needed. If you can not degas and test to see if it is safe replace the tank or give it to a good welding shop to fix it. I Have seen the resault of back yard explosive from  fuel tanks. Hard to enjoy the car with 90% + burns

[Johno]

I’m happy to send it to a shop to get fixed but is it fixable to a point where it would meet Australian standards?

How is deemed to meet Australian standards for insurance purposes? Is this a call that some engineer makes or is it some kind of manufacturer stamp from whoever the person was who built it to some specification?

[Johno]

Just now reading about the departure angle engineering issue.

What’s your thoughts on a smaller drop tank that solves this departure angle issue? JD Custom Automotive do them.

[Russ]

I went with a JD Custom tank last year.

 

75Ltr option.

 

This is how it looks on my LH.

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[Shiney005]

I really think a new tank is in order here. Either the Brown Davis or JD are good. Brown Davis also do a strapless one which some people prefer the look of.  

 

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[ls2lxhatch]

The Brown Davis strapless tanks do not comply with the departure angle rule.

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 17 January 2023 - 12:11 PM.

[jeffblanco]

This is a Brown Davis 90L tank on my car.

My engineer has given this the go ahead.

I was told the 120L tank doesn't comply but the 90L tank is fine.

 

 IMG_0660.jpg   305.49K   3 downloads

 

 

Regards Mando.

[Johno]

Thanks everyone, I agree a new tank is needed.

I’ve been in touch with JD and seen their 75L that is meant to pass engineering.

I definitely prefer the look of the 90L though and will try and find out if they will pass engineering. I don’t like the full 120L.

As I’ve never replaced a fuel tank before let alone a drop tank, is there anything that I should or shouldn’t do if I were to install it myself?

[ls2lxhatch]

The Brown Davis 120L did not comply with the departure angle.

 

Picture from this thread.

 

 

I would like to see a photo of the Brown Davis 90L side on with a straight edge to show the departure angle. Going by your photo it looks like Brown Davis moved the tank forward and cut 30L off the front to make the 90L version.

 

A photo something like this would be good.

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 17 January 2023 - 08:14 PM.

[Shiney005]

As I’ve never replaced a fuel tank before let alone a drop tank, is there anything that I should or shouldn’t do if I were to install it myself?

When removing the straps off the old one, don't underestimate how heavy and unwieldly it can be if there is any fuel left in it.

[rexy]

Pull the tank off so you can have a good look at it before you buy a new one.

 

It may or may not be able to be rescued.

[Uncle Chop Chop]

Drain the old tank first and have a trolley jack under it. Ideally, have a second (or third) person helping.

[rexy]

If you do put a jack under it  make sure yo use a large flat whatever you can find to support the tank so you dont dent it.