My driver's side (left) gas tank starting leaking after a fill-up the other day. Then stopped when it reached a certain level. Not known what that level is yet. I pulled the gas cap assembly, renewed the gasket and pulled and lubricated the O-ring. I know that didn't cure the problem, I'm sure. I did notice (see pics) that it appears the tank received some sort of tan coating on the inside because it's starting to flake near the top. I don't think this coating is OEM? But my real question is: What is the tube I see about six inches down in the opening?

 

I'm going to take a wild guess and say it's the fuel return for fuel injected XJ's.

Jeff H.

 

Interesting! As mine is carbureted. But that doesn't mean I don't have a replacement tank in there from a previous owner. I wonder where the other end goes to??

 

Hello Bill, Assuming that we are talking about the left tank, remove the carpet panel from left side of trunk. About in the dead center of the side of the trunk could be a piece of the pipe work that returns fuel from the fuel cooler attached to the low side line of the A/C system. Doubt if it leaks though. That connects to the pipe inside the tank you see.

Larry Louton

 

Ran tank dry, removed the under the tank spash pan so I could get a better view of where the leak might be coming from. Put a few gallons in this morning and at about five gallons started seeing dripping coming down. Now that I could have a good visual access, I see the leak coming from the forward part of the tank where the sending unit is. WHEW! That's fixable without pulling the tank. Will run it dry again, and pull the sender and fix the leak. Always something!

 

Hello Bill, You say at the front of the tank? On a Series 3, The sending unit is behind the tail light assembly. Is it different on your car?


Larry Louton

 

Larry - Yes it's on the front of the tank. Accessible by a round plate in the back of the wheel arch above the mud flap. I replaced the sending unit on the passenger side two years ago and bought gaskets and such for both sides back then. Anticipating having to do the driver's side at some point in the future. Well, the future has arrived.

 

Well Bill that sure is different.

Larry Louton

 

Larry - you are right in the middle of this hurricane! How are you doing??

 

Hello Bill, My spouse and I had planned a driving tour up the Blue Ridge Parkway for about 3 years just never got around to it because of Covid. Well, we bought some plane tickets then rented a car. The hurricane came into Venice two days before we flew out. No damage to our home besides a good sweeping. Right now we are Roanoke , Virginia. Next off to Wash D.C. and Baltimore.

Larry Louton

 

Glad to hear it. Enjoy yourselves. Too bad you couldn't do the driving in your favorite car!