Chasing a fuel seep.

Post by **critterpainter** » Fri Oct 02, 2020 2:22 pm

My 14 T has had an automatic fuel drain on it since I acquired it well over a decade ago. Since I no longer store it remotely from the house I needed to resolve this seep. It would leak fuel at the rate of about 1 gallon every 6 weeks. Just enough to be annoying and smelly whether the fuel was on or off.
On inspection the the shut-off and the bottom of the fuel tank near the bung was dirty with gas residue and there was usually a droplet of gas on the shut-off lever. I removed the "potato" from the tank and found one possible leak. There was never-seize on the threads of the bung and a hint that some had been washed by fuel. Ah-ah. I applied some Permatex 2 the the pipe threads and re-installed. Nope. the shut off lever was seeping fuel.
Removed the lever and ouch. It was badly galled. By some stroke of luck I had a spare potato. The lever on it was good so I installed the spare assembly. Success. No fuel leak with the fuel turned off. Turned the fuel on and DRIP DRIP DRIP from the brass fitting that has the screen in it.
Off it comes. I installed a new lead gasket and and a bit of sealer and success. No leak! WAIT ,,,what is that.?? The fuel line fitting is now leaking. That is a new leak, it has always sealed before.
So now I get to wait for a care package to arrive as I seem to be out of fuel line packing rings....
Perhaps next week I will have my T running in time for touring season. (I live in AZ)