J

JimNm

Member
Hi, recently had fuel leak/spill out through the filler cap. It happened after going up a narrow winding steep hill, doing about 15mph - daren't go any faster, blind bends and numpties on wrong side of white line. Had to do a sudden pull in to LHS because a concrete delivery lorry coming other way, Driver couldn't help but take up loads of room. Drove OK after that, up to 50 on flat country road.
Parked up on drive and notice diesel spill down body work below filler cap. Wondered if fuel slosh from sudden side ways pull in had any effect. Am going to see my trusted local landy garage in new year but wondered if anyone might have come across this before? Be good to go with some ideas.

rgds
 
The filler is an 8" metal tube which has a small 'breather' tube coming off it about 2" in.
Both of the tubes have a rubber tube going to the tank. 1 in around 2" in diameter and the other 1/2".

These pipes can break down/degrade and consequently leak.
To check the condition of these you need a good torch and the rear wheel removed for easier access.

Fuel Filler - Find Land Rover parts at LR Workshop

View the Land Rover parts diagram for Fuel Filler
www.lrworkshop.com www.lrworkshop.com
 
tottot said:
The cap has a seal that can go hard over time.
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This is most likely to be the issue IMO. It is very common for defender to have a little grubby fuel triangle below the filler. I would try replacing the seal if that doesn’t work you can try bending the metal tabs in a little as it will then hold tighter to the filler neck.
 
This is more or less compulsory in rural areas. It's known as the 'farmer's arc' or 'pastoral parabola'. It's usually achieved by being a little slow removing your hand from the lever on the filler hose whilst filling up, but it sounds like you've got the ultra-rare and desirable self-anointing version. I usually make sure my rear quarter panel is well dribbled with diesel when travelling in farming areas so the locals will accept me and not see me as some objectionable tourist who doesn't understand their country ways.
 
Brown said:
This is more or less compulsory in rural areas. It's known as the 'farmer's arc' or 'pastoral parabola'. It's usually achieved by being a little slow removing your hand from the lever on the filler hose whilst filling up, but it sounds like you've got the ultra-rare and desirable self-anointing version. I usually make sure my rear quarter panel is well dribbled with diesel when travelling in farming areas so the locals will accept me and not see me as some objectionable tourist who doesn't understand their country ways.
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its even better when the stain has a red tinge to it if you get what i mean ;)
 
Ollie_Mif said:
its even better when the stain has a red tinge to it if you get what i mean ;)
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Yes of course. If it were anything else they'd burn your wellies and drum you out of the NFU.

You want a bit of ventilation in or around the cap to allow the fuel to go down as you drive around, otherwise the fuel pump will have to battle the partial vacuum developing in the tank. But not enough to let the fuel spill out. A common solution in my part of the world is to discard the cap completely and use a dirty cloth stuffed into the filler neck instead.
 
Ollie_Mif said:
its even better when the stain has a red tinge to it if you get what i mean ;)
Click to expand...
That’s why you paint the Land Rover red!


Brown said:
You want a bit of ventilation in or around the cap to allow the fuel to go down as you drive around, otherwise the fuel pump will have to battle the partial vacuum developing in the tank. But not enough to let the fuel spill out
Click to expand...

The pump had more than enough power (on a tdi) to implode the tank if you fit the wrong non-vented fuel cap, ask me how I know :rolleyes:
Like said above most likely just needs a new seal, and or the little metal tabs bending in a little so the cap fits tighter. Or as above just accept it as a Land Rover feature, like needing the window open to have room for your arm, or the little waterfall onto your right knee after it has been parked in the rain.
 
Just waiting delivery of new filler cap.
Daren't let the paint work get stained - friendly landy garage mate painted it just before I bought it and he's -'reht chuffed with it'. Must admit it is a good job.
As for wellies - farmers I know wear wellies so covered in mud and brown smelly sticky stuff you would notice any diesel spill even if was red.
 

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Anaconda said:
Still get red diesel I do believe.
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If it's available, why bother? It carried a dye because it had less VAT on it, thus cheaper to buy than at the pump but only in particular applications. EG farm equipment, my mechanic cousin's workshop diesel heater, boats, gypo's vans. If you are paying the same per litre as at the pump, buy it there. I know a man who uses household heating fuel to run his car transporter on. It's white, so no fears of being dipped at any show. He tips a couple of tubs of engine oil into his 1000 litre tank before it's filled. I supplied him with some copper piping so at least it looked like there was some way of getting the fuel to his house to heat it from the tank.
dag019 said:
I still use red in the tractors. I believe it is no different to normal diesel it just has a dye pack added to differentiate it.
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Just did a bit of research after i thought it had been discontinued and according to the Nationwide Fuels website:

Who can still use rebated fuel after the 1st of April 2022?​

The following sectors and industries are still able to use rebated fuels for accepted uses in:

  • Agriculture, horticulture, forestry and fish farming
  • Travelling fairs and circuses
  • Golf courses and driving ranges
  • Community amateur sports clubs that are registered with HMRC
  • Gypo's vans
(one of the above may not actually be on their website) 🤔
 
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