Petrol cap chain

[Mr Spigot]

The petrol cap on my 1952 MM is secured by a small galvanised chain. However, the end attached to the filler pipe has come unattached and looks as if it was originally soldered on. Would it be safe to solder it back on in situ with an electric soldering iron. Obviously a flame is out of the question here!

[geoberni]

I thought the chain went between 2 metal tags.
I'll assume therefore you mean the tag has broken free, but I thought they were spot welds rather than soldered.

Safest thing would be to simply release the filler pipe from the connecting flexible hose. Then take it away from the tank and you can fix it however you wish.
That will also give you the opportunity to check the interior surface of the hose for degradation.

[mike1864]

The heat of a soldering iron is most unlikely to ignite petrol fumes. (Sounds like a quotation on a gravestone )
BUT it's possible for a static spark to go between an earthed bit and the floating chassis.
So indeed, best done off car.
Incidentally, do I recall a vent section on that pipe, which presumably has to be uppermost?
(Though my filling always splashes back anyway!)

[simmitc]

As Berni suggests sounds good to me. Once off the car, you could also use a blind rivet to secure the chain as that might be more permanent than solder in that environment.

[geoberni]

The heat of a soldering iron is most unlikely to ignite petrol fumes. (Sounds like a quotation on a gravestone )
BUT it's possible for a static spark to go between an earthed bit and the floating chassis.
So indeed, best done off car.
Incidentally, do I recall a vent section on that pipe, which presumably has to be uppermost?
(Though my filling always splashes back anyway!)

I don't believe the Minor Filler ever had a vent pipe, Basil certainly doesn't, which is probably why Minors always splash back

Edited to say that having just been out to Basil to check, he does have a 'vent' arrangement. It's obviously just not very effective for the delivery pressure of modern pumps, even if you try to be careful....
An offset 'pipe within a pipe.

20251209_191549.jpg (979.42 KiB) Viewed 5483 times

[svenedin]

I'd have to look to see how the chain attaches to the metal pipe as I have never looked!

I'll take a photo shortly.

Stephen

[svenedin]

I'm not quite sure how it attaches but this is what it looks like.......This is a 1969 car.

Stephen

IMG_2814.jpeg (1.99 MiB) Viewed 5498 times

[geoberni]

I just went out to check Basil, and was surprised to find he does have a vent arrangement.
Basil has a Waso Locking cap, but the chain tag is still in place.
I can't get the Waso mounting ring off to examine any further...
If I take the 2 screws out, it's still firmly attached....
As Stephen says, it's hard to tell how the tag is attached.

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[Bill_qaz]

Looks spot welded if you zoom in

[svenedin]

Regarding the vent pipe, which the photos show IS present. Yes I agree that it cannot cope with the full flow rate of a modern petrol pump at the filling station but the pump will automatically shut off if you slow the flow rate down towards the end of the fill. You do need to make a quick estimate of how much fuel it will take to fill the tank before you start filling and then watch the display on the pump. This avoids wet shoes.

In the days when I smoked it was phenomenally dangerous to be lighting a fag in the car with shoes wet with petrol!

Stephen

[Napoleon Boot]

I'm glad I'm not alone in petrol splashing back when filling up. For me, it's after the first couple of litres - no matter how slowly I pump. After that it's fine. I dread to think how much more flammable all those splashes have made my Traveller's woodwork...

Seb

[Mr Spigot]

I'm not quite sure how it attaches but this is what it looks like.......This is a 1969 car.

Stephen


IMG_2814.jpeg

That is what mine looks like but the little tag is loose on the end of the chain. Thanks for all the advice. I shall take the pipe off and solder the tag back on. It looks like there are two ways the chain is attached; either a tag like mine, or a small loop built into the pipe.

[mike1864]

I'm glad that I hadn't imagined the presence of a vent arrangement! It's essentially an offset co-axial design.
But I'm now wondering if I - and others who suffer splashback - have it correctly orientated.
Perhaps someone who doesn't suffer Incendiary Footwear Syndrome can let us know how theirs are aligned; ie bottom end of inner pipe high, low (most logical?), or off to one side.

[panky]

When filling my traveller the only time I get a splash back is when the tank is brimmed. Totally standard tank and filler neck as far as I know but with a locking cap.

I think that's the remnants of the chain bracket

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[moggiethouable]

I think I would be tempted at this juncture to purchase a lockable chrome filler cap.

[mike1864]

I think I would be tempted at this juncture to purchase a lockable chrome filler cap.

Yes, they not only prevent petrol theft, but also prevent malicious contamination (and discourage arson!). Fourthly they may limit the distance a thief can take your car! Depends on your neighbourhood
But remember to always have a spare key available.

[bobtail4x4]

as one of my other cars (a scimitar GTC ) is also a slow filler, I have a piece of ply with steps, I put it in the filler nozzle handle for a slow fill,
sticking 6 galls max in the traveller isnt too bad, but the GTC holds 20 gallons,

[geoberni]

I'm glad that I hadn't imagined the presence of a vent arrangement! It's essentially an offset co-axial design.
But I'm now wondering if I - and others who suffer splashback - have it correctly orientated.
Perhaps someone who doesn't suffer Incendiary Footwear Syndrome can let us know how theirs are aligned; ie bottom end of inner pipe high, low (most logical?), or off to one side.

I'm not sure if panky's images are upside down (knowing how that can happen with this messageboard), but the ones I posted are the correct way up.
I've added one here as a link to my earlier image; Tag to the bottom, logical, letting the cap hang down without being in the way and the inner pipe is fixed to that same side, thus providing a crescent gap widest at the top.

[panky]

Not upside down, I might have put it back wrong when I reassembled after the resto. Doesn't blow back though.