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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Petrol tank - temporary means to seal neck

Later this year I need to remove the petrol tank from my Sprite. While the tank is out of the car I want to seal it. I realise I can remove the entire filler neck from the car to do this but don't want to. What I'd rather do is fit the hose to the tank and then fit a nylon or aluminium 'plug' made from a short length of 2.25" or 57mm dia rod or bar. Can anyone recommend a supplier of rod or bar in that diameter, since I lack lathe to turn a piece down to that size.
Daniel Stapleton

How about inserting a plastic bag into the end of the hose, packing it with something inert (eg clay), and then wrapping everything in duct tape (for peace of mind)?

Do you in fact want to leave a small vent hole so you don't have problems with the gases in the tank expanding and contracting as a result of temperature changes?
Jonathan Severn

Would something like one of these do? http://www.cob-industries.com/nylon.aspx

Should be available at your local builders' merchants or plumbing supplies - but do you really need to spend money to do this?

I'd suggest going with Jonathan's idea. I'm currently treating my radiator to an internal clean using a chemical cleaner (Coca Cola!). The rad is out of the car and I've sealed it with pieces cut from nitrile gloves held in place with duct tape.
Colin Mee

Or a small piston ...
Paul Walbran

Three words: Wood, knife, whittle.

That's how I'd do it anyway!

Or you could use this then have it as a desk ornament after:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-Steel-Round-Bar-2-1-4-57mm-dia-x-25mm-Long-Grade-304-/251760245453?pt=UK_BOI_Metalworking_Milling_Welding_Metalworking_Supplies_ET&hash=item3a9e147acd

Or this and then rebuild your pit bike:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BAR1016-57mm-Piston-Dirt-Pit-Quad-Bike-two-valve-indents-lifan-Clearance-/230871021754?pt=UK_CartsParts_Vehicles_ATVQuad_Trike_Parts_Accessories_SM&hash=item35c0fc38ba

Or these then have a wee drink:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Job-Lot-Of-10-Food-Moulds-Shot-Glasses-57mm-W-x-50mm-H-Catering-Pub-Bar-/281284278485?pt=UK_Kitchen_Accessories&hash=item417dd978d5


john payne

Or just a whole saw to cut a blank in pine scrap then just add a wind of duck tape to the outside edge to seal the tank

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

I don't know how sealed you need it, but would an 'emergency' filler cap work?

https://www.wilcodirect.co.uk/product/petrol-caps-and-oil-filler-caps/emergency-fuel-cap-universal
Jim
J Smith

I might go with the emergency filler gap or admit defeat and use brown tape.
Daniel Stapleton

Daniel, the emergency filler cap won't seal the tank. The vanes just have enough springiness to grip the filler pipe but they let the air and fluids pass freely.

I know you're not planning to use it on the road but I have heard of boys in blue questioning their safety on the road as they allow petrol fumes to pass very easily plus they will not stop fuel from splashing out, especially in a roll-over situation.

I used one temporarily on my Sprite when I suspected vacuuming in the tank due to the lockable cap having inadequate ventilation but I got rid of it a soon as I knew the lockable cap was OK.

Colin Mee

I recently cut out a circle of steel, bent the edges to form a flange and taped it over the mouth of the rubber pipe. Seems fine and took a few minutes to make.
Nick Nakorn

Brown parcel tape it will be then - for less then a few hours I hope, but not for a few weeks yet.
Daniel Stapleton

Take the filler hose to a toyshop or pet supplies shop and get a small squishy plastic ball that fits tight into the hose. Then put a jubilee clip round the hose to secure the ball.
Or maybe a half a plastic bottle (dishwashing liquid, cooking oil?) of a convenient size to slip over the outside of the hose (or the filler neck on the tank) secured with a couple turns of tape Just a couple of thoughts...........
Shouldn't need to spend a lot on something like this.
Good luck Daniel.
RS Hughes

Or a poly bag and a rubber band? Cheap!!!
RS Hughes

Tennis ball?
rjg robert

Duct tape. The handyman's secret weapon. Clean with a good organic solvent before reassembly. Not having a lathe is not a problem in any country having machine shops available to them. Tell the machine shop the material and what you need and they can make it.

Les
Les Bengtson

A glass jar. I suggest a jar of raspberry jam of the correct diameter, then you would have something you could eat afterwards
That'd be nice
lol
willy
William Revit

Daniel - search eBay for 'Tapered Rubber Stopper' - various sizes so one should fit perfect and be a tight seal / seat.
Nick P

The lids to some aerosol cans (not just spray paints) are sized pretty close for this job. The lids to vitamin/pills bottles can also suit. The Tesco calcium + vitamin D bottle lid is almost perfect for example.
Roadwarrior

This thread was discussed between 25/01/2015 and 01/02/2015

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