THE PORTAL HUB - Pinzgauers, Haflingers, Volvo 303s and more!

Just a quick heads up to my fellow Pinz drivers ....

I daily drive my 710m (1978), and it has been incredibly solid over the past 12 months/5,000 miles. However, tonight when I got home I noticed a very strong fuel smell the moment I stepped out of the truck. A quick glance underneath revealed a fast fuel leak coming from "near the top of the tank" (from what I could determine). In a panic, I quickly got a catch bucket under the leak. The drip slowed down within a minute or two, and completely stopped within 5 minutes.

Turns out, the main fuel line from the tank to the filter had rotted away at the hose clamp (at the fuel tank side). The leftover fuel once the engine was shut down was still dripping out until the line emptied. I'd say it was about 3 cups worth. I assume on my drive home -- about 1.5 miles -- it dumped at a pretty decent rate.

It may also explain why the past few days I've had some erratic stuttering and weak idle. Duh.

Long story short, hose #14 was complete mush. I could have probably stolen something from my own inventory, but decided to pass a few $$ to SAV, who will overnight me the correct stuff and we keep the Pinzgauer community in business.

To reach the line, I braced the fuel tank with my bottle jack and a piece wood. I removed the mud guards on the FR wheel, and also pulled the seats and engine covers out. Once that junk was gone, it was a snap to reach hose and pull it out. On a side note, I think when removing the fuel tank gravel guard it is not necessary to pull the bolts all the way out. The gravel guard slides into place around those hanger bolts. By removing them entirely (which I did), the tank *MUST* be supported by a jack b/c those bolts are actually holding the leading edge of the fuel tank up! In other words, loosen them enough to pull the shield down, but don't remove them.

I suck at taking DIY pictures, so I didn't take any. Boo hiss.

The angle on the hose where it joins the metal pipe is too great and as such is was under constant stress and cracked - the rubber pipe just needed to be a bit longer so the bend was more gentle and I doubt you would have had an issue.

Garry

Fortunately there was no ignition source nearby.

That's all the convincing I need, mine is getting checked this weekend. I have had the Pinz for 11 years and have never had to deal with anything connected to the tank. It's always best to stay ahead of potential problems, especially when a $5 piece of fuel line is the issue.

Back in business

Fuel lines arrived exactly on time as promised by SAV and installation was a snap. Literally, 20 minutes from opening the FedEx box to re-installing the seats and driving away. A 13mm socket, 10mm socket, flat head screw driver, and a pair of scissors. Those are the only three tools needed for the whole project.

It is also a good practice if the need arises to drop the gas tank for any reason to inspect the area surrounding the fuel level sending unit and the fuel pickup tube for evidence of fuel seepage. The diagram part # 5 (note in the drawing it is used at two locations) is a cork gasket that may dry out over the years and allow fuel to seep by, the gasket for the fuel sender on my truck was in good shape however the gasket for the fuel pickup tube had major cracks and allowed fuel it leak past anytime the tank was near full. My fuel level sender gasket had obviously been replaced; it’s the one that is easy to access by removing the sending unit access cover. For the pickup tube you must drop the tank. IMHO this is a design deficiency; they should have provided a second access panel.

Does ethanol fuel contribute to the deteriating of the fuel line. I see that in my lawn equipment.

If you look at material compatibility for Nitrile rubber (NBR, Buna-N, Hycar, etc), you find that ethanol has good compatibility and methanol has fair compatibility. Since gasoline (good compatibility) is adulterated with ethanol, the fuel hose should be ok, assuming it is nitrile rubber. Most fuel hose is nitrile although you can find some advertised as silicone.