Diesel overflow out of tank (not filler) at petrol station
Hello all
Can someone offer some advice please
I went to the petrol station to fill the truck up with diesel, £120 later the nozzle cut off - as the tank was full.
As I put the cap back on, I noticed a huge flood of diesel underneath the car.... I rushed inside to let the "attendant" know.
I paid and moved the offending vehicle away from the filling area
The deluge slowed down then stopped - I would guess that it lost a litre or two - no more - and the fuel guage looked like the tank was full.
I drove off....the G was absolutely fine....and got me home
Something is obviously wrong - but does anyone know what precisely? If there is a fix other than a new diesel tank, does anyone know what it is? Cost, complexity, etc.
I had a look online and couldn't see anything that sounded similiar...
Help much appreciated!
Thanks
Paul
Hello Paul,
If your vehicle has a metal fuel tank, it is very likely that its top part has corrosion, hence the leak when you filled up.
The part that usually corrodes is just below the path of the rear exhaust pipe. There is usually a heat mat under the exhaust pipe acting as heat shield which over time retains moisture causing the corrosion.
Your choice is to have a specialist effect repairs (tank removed) or replace it with a new. Metal tanks are not available any more and only plastic replacements are available, these are expensive, tank and fitting kit together.
I would suggest not filling the tank full any more until you have remedied the situation - say go 3/4 full instead or 1/2 a tank.
Replacement of new tank and fitting kit is an unconfirmed £1400 plus VAT. I could supply you with some tank specialists should you want to go that way.
I am not sure if the fuel tanks are the same for the 460 diesel and the 463 petrol but I had the same problem with my 300 GEL.
The sender unit which is located in the top centre of the the tank was corroded and no longer made a seal. When the tank was filled completely the petrol in the filler tube was above the level of the seal and it would pour out through the seal until the level dropped. It was probably only a few litres but it looked a lot on the floor of the petrol station !!
On the 463 model there is an inspection hatch in the floor of the boot that you can unscrew to access the sender unit on top of the tank. I don't know if there is one on the 460 but worth having a look.
Many thanks for that - I'll take a look (more likely the garage will)!
It did look horrendous on the forecourt....looked like gallons and gallons - but really was not too much. However, I still resented paying for it
I'm hoping it's not a new tank - Rakesh is kindly investigating what that would look like and what options I may have
Thanks again
Paul
On a 463 tank ,must be some on a 460 tank , several breather pipes which if in a bad way or become disconnected would cause this, might be worth putting it on a ramp, motorcyclists won't thank you for leaking diesel or your wallet!
Another thing to check. There is a big rubber hose that connects the metal filler neck to the metal tank. Big jubilee clips both ends. Check that they are tight and the rubber is sitting properly onto the tank. A common rust area is that top metal neck on the tank that meets the rubber neck. You would need to remove the rubber neck to properly check.
A new plastic tank kit is a big investment but will last forever. Also much bigger at 92/96 litres v 65 litres.
Eddie.
Hi Paul, I assume that your G has the plastic tank as it's a 1990, I'm not too sure but I think the metal tanks were obsolete by then, I'm sure someone here will know, anyway iv just had a new silencer and tailpipe fitted and noticed how close the exhaust runs to the plastic tank, so I would make sure the insulation on your tank is intact, I think there has been cases of the hot exhaust burning through the tank.
Thank you all for your tips and advice - Rakesh has also been really helpful via PM.
I'll take the G along to my local (very good) garage and get them to take a good look over it - starting with the inspection hole under the carpet in the "boot". I'll update them on your links and advice - it should help them home in on the likely culprits....but the owner is an ex Merc mechanic - and seems to know his way around these trucks...
Will post an update when I've got some idea what's going to be involved.
I like the idea of a bigger tank....but not the cost!
Regarding the motorbikes - as a biker myself I'm very sympathetic to the problems of oil and fuel on the road. The petrol station were very diligent in covering over the mess I made with sand/ grit. I only drove off once the dripping had stopped...and not aware of having lost any further fuel. So should only be my wallet that got really damaged!
Best regards
Paul
as your W460 300GD is a 1990 it will have the plastic tank fitted from STD
MOST likely as said in previous posts filler neck and breather pipes are a probable
cause of leek
Sorry I didn't notice the 1990 bit. Plastic tank became standard in 1988ish.
many thanks chaps - as soon as I get some garage feedback I'll post...
Cheers
Paul
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thank you very much for responding so quickly - that info is very helpful!
Paul