Morris Minor Owners Club

Thank you to everyone who has helped me previously.Yet more questions I'm afraid!

I have been driving my new morris minor for a couple of months now (only short journeys so far) but on both times I have filled up with petrol it has repeatedly splashed back over me and the forecourt. Am I doing something wrong? I have tried filling the tank slowly but still seem to get petrol everywhere.

I am also wondering if the petrol gauge is doing something strange. It moves (a good sign) but whether showing half full or nearly empty the petrol tank seems to take the same amount of petrol. I can't see any leaks but I'm not quite sure why this is happening.

I also discovered last night that the petrol cap no longer locks properly and simply twists off. The rubber 'washer' (?) has perished so I need to replace this but I am not sure if this would affect the cap locking. The metal ring also comes off the pipe section on the car and I think it is probably this which is preventing it from locking. Sorry I don't know the technical terms for all of these parts! How would I keep this attached? There is no risk of these parts falling off so can I still keep driving my car?

Any advice would be really helpful. As you can tell I have a LOT to learn!
Thank you

This thread might be useful regarding the splashback and cap seal queries:

http://www.morrisminoroc.co.uk/index.ph ... ic&t=28515

Moved to 'other' as it's a more suitable forum for these queries than 'general discussion'.

Don't stand in line with the filler pipe when refuelling. After soaking your trousers and shoes with petrol a few times you soon get the hang of it.
Fuel gauges have a mind of their own, carry a spare can of petrol and you will never run out.
Check the screw clamps at the top and bottom of the rubber filler pipe are tight.
If you are having problems with the locking petrol cap you may as well buy a new one from one of the traders.
If you haven't got the hang of standing well out of the way by the time of the next Oxon & Berks branch meeting , fill up early so you have time to get changed.

I have the same trouble. On my pick up and my 4 door saloon not being able to fill the tank to the top. I have a 9 1/2gal tanks. The best way I have found is to insert the pump filler nozzle upside down (trigger upermost) This works for me but you still have to fill slowly because when nearly full the pump doesnt cut out automaticly. This is the only way I can fill the tank to the top. Then the other problem is spillage from the cap when I drive off but you dont have to go far befor it stops. The cap seal is OK it comes out the breather hole in the cap. I have noticed the pumps at different filling stations also vary.

At least it is not just me! Thank you for these tips - I will give them a try.

When you fill the tank an airlock is created when the tank fills to the bottom of the filler pipe and the escaping air meets the entering petrol causing the petrol to spit back. If the tank was fitted with a separate breather pipe it should cure the problem.

Here is the filler arrangement on a modern car:<br><br>
With this arrangement I can pump diesel into it as fast as the pump will go and the cut out works correctly.

If the inner tube on the Minor filler pipe extended into the top of the tank so that air could come out as the petrol goes in then it should work properly too.

I've modified mine with some small bore copper pipe and it works a bit better but it needs bigger bore tube to work well.

With ref to vent pipe. I extended the vent pipe from the tank to the top of the filler kneck just below the petrol cap not sure if it made that much difference. It wasn't that difficult, But I did fit a round mesh in between the tank pipe and the filler pipe to stop some one syphoning the petrol out, that may also cause some restriction when filling. But at least I can fill the tank to the top now.

Which vent pipe from the tank is that?
I haven't seen a separate vent on any of the Minors I've owned, they have all been 1000s though.

Sorry should have stated its a 9 1/2 gallon tank with the vent pipe John

I'd take the round mesh out and get a locking cap instead.
Where did you get the tank from?