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MG Midget and Sprite General - annoying fuel leak

Latest malady is a fuel leak right where the fuel line enters the tank, I have read in the archives that the olive is supposed to seal tightly with no gasket or tape, but I don't seem to be able to achieve that, even when the nut is tightened as much as I can, within minutes there is a leak again, am I looking at a replacement line, or is there another way to reseal it?
RUS(59SPRITE)

The good advice is to not use a tape but in the real world we sometimes have to compromise

I had a sealing problem with my replacement tank ten years ago ('cos the new tank fitment is not quite the same as the old 60s 70s type one I think, it wouldnt take a seal)

I undid it, wrapped a few turns of PTFE tape around the "olive" section on the pipe and reconnected it, squeezed it up "nipped-tight" and the problem hasnt re-occurred.

I was getting air into the pipeline due to the bad seal and no doubt it would have become a fuel leak eventually

Just a turn or two or three shouldn't enable the PTFE to get into the tank or the line, less is enough
bill sdgpm

just finished, it worked a treat thanks v much Bill.

I just have to replace a tyre now, as the rear offside tyre was sat in a puddle of petrol for a week, its deformed the tread enough to put the tyre out of true (you get a thump every time it rotates)...Trisha called it a money pit......what does she know...!!!
RUS(59SPRITE)

sell the duff tyre on eBay

say it has its own fuel supply ---previously flatted--- very rare

soon get your money back

(oh sod it what a bugger)

glad the seal has worked at least
bill sdgpm

Bluetac works well as a temporary fuel leak stopper. The fuel eats the plasticiser out of the bluetac and it then sets. The AA patrol driver told me about this when my fuel line sheared just after that union on my Mk2 Sprite (the stolen one that keeps turning up on Ebay in pieces)

Bluetac, if it is called something else out in the colonies, is a sticky putty-like material for holding posters onto walls etc.
rob thomas

Rob,

Thanks for the tip - I know what Blu tac is,I only moved here 5 yrs ago, hopefully things haven't changed that much since I left !!!

I am left with a slight problem though, I don't seem to be able to source a new tyre in the correct size here, the 145/80/R13 is as rare as Rocking Horse Sh*t, is there a generally acceptable substitute size, and would I now be faced with relacing at least 2 ( both on this axle) or all 4 ??
RUS(59SPRITE)

155 80xR13s will fit inside the arch even if its a square wheel arch

Well they do on mine
bill sdgpm

So.......managed to source a tyre, a Uniroyal tiger paw - 78 bucks...so thats sorted, just had a bit of a scare getting to the tyre depot in the first place !

The car started to lose power and 'chug'as I climbed a fairly moderate hill, I immdiately got off the highway and nursed it the rest of the way there, it chugged a couple more times while on flat,level ground, this was all when the car was thoroughly warm, its not apparent when cold.

Having left the car to cool down (and swap the snow tyres to summmer ones on the other halfs car).She started fine (the frog, not the other half...) and off we went home, not issues for about 15-20 minutes, then I got near a hill again and the chugging started again, I again got home, but really felt it could have cut out at any point.

Does this sound like an electrical issue or a lack of fuel ? The only reason I mention fuel is the above mentioned leak was fixed, but this problem didn't exist before it was, could the PF tape now be causing a blockage?

The car is a totally standard frogeye, so nothing too odd.

cheers for your patience (mines wearing a bit thin)
RUS(59SPRITE)

Try removing the petrol filler cap when it is chugging, you may hear a rush of air into the tank. If so check the breather hole in the filler cap.

Stick with it your almost there! Carl
C Bintcliffe

Rus the tape may be allowing air into the fuel line

tighten up a tad more just in case
bill sdgpm

This thread was discussed between 27/03/2010 and 05/04/2010

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