Fuel overflow line- Fix needed

Budza

Budza

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1996 Opel Astra: Fuel overflow line has a small leak. Drips petrol for the first 75km or so of each fillup.

Line runs from top of tank back to about midway along the filler pipe. If this is not the overflow hose, what is it?

To replace this, I would need to drop the tank to get to the top of the tank where line connects. Too much admin, and car is old and bolts etc are too stubborn.

So, can I clamp this hose above the leak? Will that result in excess pressure on hot days or something? Will it prevent air getting into the tank, making it harder/impossible for fuel to be sucked out of the tank?

If I cannot clamp the hose, I'd try to replace just the section with the hole. This bit is easily accessible. Was thinking along the lines of cut that bit out, then run a solid (brass?) pipe of correct diameter into the two ends, with worm type clamps on either side to ensure it's tights.

Any ideas/ suggestions? Not keen to drop the tank...
 
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This is not an answer to your problem, but I always make sure I don't overfill. When you fill up, and the pump stops itself the first time, that's when I'm done.
 
What Car?

Also what Slootvreter said. These petrol attendants seem all too keen to squeeze out every last drop, they probably picked it up from some dumb POS who drives a 4x4 "bakkie" needing that last drop of fuel to make it to the next fuel station. When the pump clicks I tell them to stop. That's when the tank is full. Anything more and it's overfilled and you have fuel sitting in the breather hose and where else which is bad.
 
1996 Opel Astra.

I get pissed off with the pompies when they over-fill already- messes up my fuel consumption calculations. Always ask to 'stop at first click'. About 80% of the time they do.

Just wondering what would happen if I blocked that hose off, or if it is dangerous to replace a section of the hose.
 
Budza said:
1996 Opel Astra.
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I had the exact same problem with by previous car (1996 Astra 180iE). There is an overflow line coming from the fuel injector/engine back to the tank. Something like that. Take the car to any workshop, they can fix it while you wait. Don't block it off.
 
If it's the Astra then it's more likely your breather hose has perished. Delta (before it was GM) put in some really cheap hoses, it's located beneath the car. GM sells them for R100 or so. You also need 2 new clamps, any old pipe clamps that are rust resistant will do.

Just fill up then jump underneath the car and look where it's leaking from. It's usually a long black pipe made of some cheapo plastic/rubber. Then just let it settle and break those crappy clamps they use off, pull the pipe off, replace + clamps, tighten and you're good to go.

It's not the overflow but you still shouldn't let them fill up that much because the fuel actually goes and sits in that breather hose, and that hose is only meant to allow air back up the filler tank so as to improve the rate at which the tank can be filled. If petrol sits in there for a long time it causes it to perish but the newer hoses are much more robust.

If you were in Pta I'd do it for you, it's 5min job but you are in CT, so I can take a pic if you really need some help.
 
Gnome said:
It's not the overflow but you still shouldn't let them fill up that much because the fuel actually goes and sits in that breather hose, and that hose is only meant to allow air back up the filler tank so as to improve the rate at which the tank can be filled. If petrol sits in there for a long time it causes it to perish but the newer hoses are much more robust.
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I believe that's what I'm talking about although it didn't sound like it :) Happened to me as well.
 
Slootvreter said:
I believe that's what I'm talking about although it didn't sound like it :) Happened to me as well.
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I was typing my post as you posted but I know you are talking about the same thing. It's common on the Opels sold between around 1998 - 2004ish when Delta ceased to exist (taken over by GM). They used to use spares made by local companies rather than GM parts themselves which is for the most part ok but things like those breather pipes were just really really cheap, quality wise :rolleyes:
 
Mine didn't break, they just didn't reconnect it after they repaired my engine after a cambelt failure :(
 
Slootvreter said:
Mine didn't break, they just didn't reconnect it after they repaired my engine after a cambelt failure :(
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LOL, omw, GM never ceases to amaze me, their technicians are so terrible I wonder if they even have any type of training.

I've been to a Renault garage also tho, was even worse so I guess it's standard in SA :rolleyes:
 
Cool. Thanks Gnome/Sloot

Am taking car in for shocks- will buy the hose, then try to get it done while they do the front end. Have slid under the tank/boot and seems I cannot reach the tank side clamp, so will still have to drop the tank a bit to gain access to that. From there, should be eay enough.

Reckon it is the breather pipe- exactly as you described- black and cheap looking. Damn corner cutting :mad:
 
replace the pipe. Between cap and tank.
mine cost R100 for the pipe.
1 Liter coke for the mechanic.
 
Gnome said:
LOL, omw, GM never ceases to amaze me, their technicians are so terrible I wonder if they even have any type of training.

I've been to a Renault garage also tho, was even worse so I guess it's standard in SA :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

It wasn't GM, is was Steve's Auto Clinic :mad:
 
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