02-04-2022, 11:01 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Prescott Valley AZ
Posts: 47
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oily substance
Hi Gentlemen,
I recently discovered at my gas shut off valve under the dash that a strange oily substance was leaking in the area. Enough of it to look like oil. Put my fingers on the valve and a sticky oily stuff was on it. can you tell me what is going on and how to fix it????? kindly, Vangough |
02-04-2022, 11:29 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Fort Gratiot, Michigan
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Re: oily substance
Is the car new to you?
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02-04-2022, 11:29 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Epping N.H.
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Re: oily substance
You have a very,very slight weep.So slight that it doesn't drip,but slowly dries,hardens,and turns to varnish.That sticky stuff is varnish.
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02-04-2022, 11:38 AM | #4 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: SF Bay Area
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Re: oily substance
Quote:
Your leak could be coming from one of two places: --- Connection where the shutoff valve screws into the tank (the more common), or --- Leaking shutoff valve with fuel leaking out of the valve body. As to how to fix it, you need to drain the gas tank (I hook a plastic hose to the carburator end of the hard line from the sediment bowl to the carburator and run it to a gas can placed in front of the radiator), disconnect the line from the shutoff valve to the sediment bowl, and unscrew the shutoff valve from the bottom of the gas tank. Once you have the valve out clean up the threads on the valve body and in the tank (someone in the past may have put some sort of goop or thread tape on the threads), coat the threads on the valve with a fuel-proof thread sealant (do not use thread tape or thread adhesive, you need a thread sealant - I use Permatex 59214 High Temp because it's what I have, but Permatex 56521 will work also), and thread the fitting in. Don't wipe the connection, let the stuff bulge out a little bit at the base of the connection. Reconnect the inside fuel line to be sure you have it lined up properly, then let the assembly sit a couple of days so the sealant can set. While you have the fuel valve out, this would be a good time to install a pencil filter if you don't already have one (fuel tank filter screen as an example, all the normal suppliers have them). If you have the threads sealed up tight and still have the leak, it may be coming from the valve itself. Leaks through the valve usually are apparent when the valve won't shut off fuel flow completely. I've had poor luck with the rebuild kits offered for the valve, and have just replaced when necessary, the repro valves i've gotten seem to be decent quality. Install/reinstall per the above. JayJay
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JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan Last edited by JayJay; 02-04-2022 at 11:56 AM. |
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02-04-2022, 12:10 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Prescott Valley AZ
Posts: 47
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Re: oily substance
Jay thanks for the advise
The oily goop is more like the subsistence of 600W |
02-04-2022, 12:11 PM | #6 |
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Re: oily substance
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If and when you take the valve out of the tank be sure to have a small catch container with you as it is common for a few cups of gas to come out as the valve is removed.
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Dave / Lincoln Nebraska |
02-04-2022, 12:24 PM | #7 | |
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Location: SF Bay Area
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Re: oily substance
Quote:
Yup, and when you wipe the oily goop with your finger it smells awful and is difficult to get off with soap and water. That is gasoline residue. If you want to confirm, put about a teaspoon full of gasoline in a glass container (like a custard cup) and let it evaporate for a day or so. You'll get the same stuff. (Clean the custard cup out thoroughly and run it through the dishwasher before the Significant Other finds out you requisitioned the container, though.) JayJay
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JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan |
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02-04-2022, 07:26 PM | #8 |
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Location: Western North Carolina
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Re: oily substance
To repair the fuel valve, consider some EZ-turn lubricant. It will not dissolve in gasoline. See https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...ezturnlube.php.
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A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. |
02-05-2022, 12:23 PM | #9 |
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Location: Red Deer, Alberta
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Re: oily substance
Also, after draining the tank, jack up the side of the car so any residual gas in the tank will move to the opposite side. Still have the catch container "just in case".
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If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn! |
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