Series 3 New fuel tank in

The carb kept getting blocked on an incline and the issue was clearly a rusty fuel tank. Draining it didn't help and it was also missing the brass gauze filter on the pick up pipe. I wish I replaced it sooner, the petrol looks a lot cleaner in the inline fuel filter now.

Don't know if it's a good idea or not but i took the gauze off completely then put and inline filter on the rubber pipe to the pump, figured it's easier to get to

I hadn't thought of fitting a filter before the pump, just got the one going to the carb.

Theoretically without the gauze, it could pull up pea sized crud and block the pipe before it gets to inline filter?

steve2286w said:

Theoretically without the gauze, it could pull up pea sized crud and block the pipe before it gets to inline filter?

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True.
If it's a new tank, it's modern petrol really that mucky?
My bikes don't have anything on the end and they have narrower pipes

Why were the tanks not Plastic ? Just curious some late 70's cars had plastic tanks and they are still going strong.

kermit_rr said:

True.
If it's a new tank, it's modern petrol really that mucky?

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I refurbed my passenger side tank a few years ago cleaned out and “painted” with fuel tank sealer inside it gave a nice clean grey finish, I had the filler cap off last week and there was crud sitting on bottom surprisingly!, although mine diesel if it makes any difference

I guess they were designed to be used in adverse conditions abroad where fuel quality not as good as here

And you found a proper style of Series fuel tank which is nice.

ER1C said:

Why were the tanks not Plastic ? Just curious some late 70's cars had plastic tanks and they are still going strong.

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I would have bought a plastic tank if available. Stainless or aluminium were too expensive. The steel tanks are like the chassis, they rot inside out. Is a plastic tank any more likely to get punctured off roading?

British Leyland Rover said:

I would have bought a plastic tank if available. Stainless or aluminium were too expensive. The steel tanks are like the chassis, they rot inside out. Is a plastic tank any more likely to get punctured off roading?

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It would take a hell of a lot to puncture and it should be protected by the chassis/other elements in the main part. I guess metal was probably cheaper back then.

steel is more durable and yes can potentially get scraped/bashed off road if you try hard enough.. possibly regulations at the time about unprotected/exposed tanks.. i dont know

ER1C said:

Why were the tanks not Plastic ? Just curious some late 70's cars had plastic tanks and they are still going strong.

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'92 Citroen had one - which split!