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2001 S4 Fuel Tank Overflow Drip

Started by GregP, September 12, 2021, 12:02:50 PM

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GregP

September 12, 2021, 12:02:50 PM
I have been dealing with fueling issues and a fuel leak for the past year with my old girl and just when I thought I got it all sorted, the fuel overflow hose is dripping fuel pretty aggressively. Any suggestions on what I might be looking at or how to address this would be appreciated.

A little context to go with the question. I had the entire fueling system in the tank to the fuel injection system replaced last year and then sprung a leak at the tank hinge. Finally had the hinge welded and she is fuel tight. I reinstalled the tank and the fuel lines and they are all dry at the tank. Filled her up about 2/3 this morning and took it out for a ride to get fuel back in the system. Everything runs as it should but after the ride, the overflow hose is dripping a drop of fuel every 3 seconds. I have never had a drip from the overflow hose before so it is a little concerning.
Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.

stopintime

#1
September 12, 2021, 01:02:05 PM
Overflow line not tight?
252,000 km/seventeen years - loving it

ducpainter

#2
September 12, 2021, 02:48:49 PM
Quote from: GregP on September 12, 2021, 12:02:50 PM
I have been dealing with fueling issues and a fuel leak for the past year with my old girl and just when I thought I got it all sorted, the fuel overflow hose is dripping fuel pretty aggressively. Any suggestions on what I might be looking at or how to address this would be appreciated.

A little context to go with the question. I had the entire fueling system in the tank to the fuel injection system replaced last year and then sprung a leak at the tank hinge. Finally had the hinge welded and she is fuel tight. I reinstalled the tank and the fuel lines and they are all dry at the tank. Filled her up about 2/3 this morning and took it out for a ride to get fuel back in the system. Everything runs as it should but after the ride, the overflow hose is dripping a drop of fuel every 3 seconds. I have never had a drip from the overflow hose before so it is a little concerning.

It's dripping from the end of the rubber hose?

Sounds like a perforated steel tube in the tank, or a leak where the overflow hose, from the cap, attaches to the steel tube.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


GregP

#3
September 12, 2021, 06:30:42 PM
Dripping from the bottom end of the hose where it routes out below the swing arm. Still bone dry at the base of the tank where all hoses attach. 
Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.

GregP

#4
September 13, 2021, 06:33:28 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on September 12, 2021, 02:48:49 PM
It's dripping from the end of the rubber hose?

Sounds like a perforated steel tube in the tank, or a leak where the overflow hose, from the cap, attaches to the steel tube.

Is it possible the heat from the hinge welding damaged something inside the tank? Welder used the lower heat technique of welding in an effort to minimize damage to the paint. Tig v. Mig?
Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.

ducpainter

#5
September 13, 2021, 03:05:37 PM
Quote from: GregP on September 13, 2021, 06:33:28 AM
Is it possible the heat from the hinge welding damaged something inside the tank? Welder used the lower heat technique of welding in an effort to minimize damage to the paint. Tig v. Mig?
Not likely. Pull the cap, and check the hose connections to the steel tubes, and the cap bung.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


GregP

#6
September 13, 2021, 06:35:00 PM Last Edit: September 14, 2021, 06:22:57 AM by GregP
Quote from: ducpainter on September 13, 2021, 03:05:37 PM
Not likely. Pull the cap, and check the hose connections to the steel tubes, and the cap bung.

Thanks. I'll pull it apart this weekend. In the interim, it appears to have stopped dripping with about 2 cups of fuel having dripped out of a 2/3rds full tank. Is it possible there is a point that it won't drip below a certain fill line?

I put a mark on the bottle to make sure it hasn't moved when I check it tomorrow. (Just checked it and the drip has stopped.)
Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.

ducpainter

#7
September 14, 2021, 05:02:19 PM
Quote from: GregP on September 13, 2021, 06:35:00 PM
Thanks. I'll pull it apart this weekend. In the interim, it appears to have stopped dripping with about 2 cups of fuel having dripped out of a 2/3rds full tank. Is it possible there is a point that it won't drip below a certain fill line?

I put a mark on the bottle to make sure it hasn't moved when I check it tomorrow. (Just checked it and the drip has stopped.)
Yes, the tube connections are close to the top of the tank. I'll bet one of the rubber hoses is split.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


GregP

#8
September 16, 2021, 07:29:17 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on September 14, 2021, 05:02:19 PM
Yes, the tube connections are close to the top of the tank. I'll bet one of the rubber hoses is split.

Thanks again for the support.

Unfortunately, the drip has started again, albeit much slower.  The bike has not been moved or even disturbed, so I am a bit confused why it stopped and started again. ???

Time for a long ride to drain most of the fuel and a dive into the tank this weekend.
Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.

ducpainter

#9
September 16, 2021, 02:47:34 PM
Quote from: GregP on September 16, 2021, 07:29:17 AM
Thanks again for the support.

Unfortunately, the drip has started again, albeit much slower.  The bike has not been moved or even disturbed, so I am a bit confused why it stopped and started again. ???

Time for a long ride to drain most of the fuel and a dive into the tank this weekend.
Temperature shift up?

Split lengthened on a hose with a dip downward into the fuel level?
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


Qomomoko

#10
January 22, 2022, 03:16:24 PM
What about sealing the tank on the inside?
Will clean up tank, and reinforce any possible weak/ thin areas.
The inside hard pipes might also have a crack.
All your lines being new leads me to believe the integrity of the metal is messed up.
I blow on my lines and covered the other end to test integrity.

FYI; my issue stemmed from mini rust then it clogged the over flow, the more moisture inside, more rust, clogged filter ….

So I sealed and replaced all lines too

G luck
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