Series 3 New fuel tank in

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
British Leyland Rover

British Leyland Rover

Active Member
Posts
87
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.
20240901_120912.jpg
IMG-20240904-WA0014.jpeg
 
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?
Click to expand...
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
 
ER1C said:
Why were the tanks not Plastic ? Just curious some late 70's cars had plastic tanks and they are still going strong.
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
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.
 
The original Rover tanks were not just steel - although I'm not exactly sure what the protective coating was.
Years ago I thought they were galvanised, but I think Tin plated is more likely as the tank was soldered to the bash plate that came with it.
And tin plated obviously much thicker than a baked bean can.
Also I think that there is a reaction problem between zinc and diesel fuel that means galvanised is unsuitable.
Whatever Rover used they were good for about thirty years before they rotted out.
You won't get that from a Britpart replica
 
grewth said:
The original Rover tanks were not just steel - although I'm not exactly sure what the protective coating was.
Years ago I thought they were galvanised, but I think Tin plated is more likely as the tank was soldered to the bash plate that came with it.
And tin plated obviously much thicker than a baked bean can.
Also I think that there is a reaction problem between zinc and diesel fuel that means galvanised is unsuitable.
Whatever Rover used they were good for about thirty years before they rotted out.
You won't get that from a Britpart replica
Click to expand...
Out of interest, what is the life expectancy of a britpart replica?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

RP72
Fuelling issue......??
Replies
10
Views
671
RP72
RP72
Aflyingduckling
Series 3 Fuel Pipe Issue (part 564902)
Replies
1
Views
569
steve2286w
steve2286w
EmilH
Series 3 upside down fuel sender??
Replies
3
Views
755
EmilH
EmilH
B
Defender 1986 fuel tank leak
Replies
5
Views
409
miktdish
miktdish
S
Series 3 Diesel fuel bleed / starting issue
Replies
7
Views
2K
sjr202
S
Back
Top