98 Discovery gas tank vent problem?

[SurferX]

Hello all,

Just purchased my first Land Rover about 2 months ago. I love it! It's a Black 98 Discovery SE w/162k miles on it. Runs great, looks great but there are some issues I'm trying to fix. I'll post the biggest one first that I can't seem to figure out.

First time I took it to the gas station I filled the gas tank. 2nd time I only put about 10 gallons in it. 3 time it would only take 5 gallons then it overflowed. thought maybe the gauge was broken and it was full but then I ran out of gas #@$@#$. So I'm guessing it's some kind of fuel tank vent issue. I took my time and managed to get 11 gallons in it but it took 30min of waiting for it to burp and go down the filler neck. Nothing is stuck in the filler neck, I unplugged what looked like a vent on the gas tank above the filler neck thinking it might be glogged ( no difference).

Any ideas what to look at next?


other issues: Back windows don't work (think the window ecu is missing) , one bad sunroof motor, rear door subwoofer amp is missing, anti-lock brakes have a mind of there own (unplugged now cause it just about got me killed), slight tapping sound from the driver side valve cover, ashtray is missing, drink holder is missing, cuise control not working, rear wiper not working, window brake light not working (bulb is good).. that's all I can think of right now. All fuses have been checked btw

I still love it though and it has less issues than the Jaguar XJS I sold to buy this!

thanks!

[99discovery1sd]

i have the same damn problem, but only occasionaly, doesnt seem to cause any problems other than the utter frustration of it taking a half hour to fill up, ide really like to know myself

[pavel]

SurferX & 99Disco - just a guess: Sounds like you have some kind of constriction in the filler tube. Could it be plugged almost at the tank? Is there a kink in the tube? Have you had a good look under there?

[99discovery1sd]

thanks pavel , i didnt find and kind of constriction , what i dont understand is it only happens every now and again, and this is kind of odd but its only happened to me at shell stations , no where else i dont know the mystery continues

[pavel]

Gentlemen: Is it posssible that when the vehicle is refueled at a certain angle (as in the particular Shell station, that causes the problem? Doesn't make much sense to me as Shell stations all surely have perfectly level fueling areas...I know our ancient Ford F250 will only take fuel properly 'on the level'
One more idea...I know in some US states, refueling involves pushing the nozzle tight against the fuel filler opening and there even is a gasket to reduce vapour loss during the process. Is it possible this arrangement is stopping the tank from venting itself? If this is the case, It should be possible to make up a shorty 'tin can' (salmon can?) with some holes punched in the side to act as a spacer of sorts. The spacer might allow the tank to vent better during refueling.
Just thinking out loud...

[SurferX]

Thanks for the replies, I removed the filler neck and it was way more complex than I would have thought. It has a plastic tube in the center that goes into a metal tube encased in plastic that slides into the gastank. I should have taken photos while it was off.. doh! it also has a vent that goes from the top of the tank to the top of the filler neck. It's not glogged and I even tried filling the tank with if venting to open air, no change : (.

There must be some sort of baffle in the tank that has shifted causing the problem. I'm going to pull the fuel pump and take a look.

[RonL]

I have had the same problem with my 1997 and 1999 series 1. the tank is vapor locking. I have done two different things and they both have helped. If you look underneath, there is a small vent line that comes from the side of the tank to the fuller neck. This tube is smaller then the tank fitting and the filler neck. I replaced it with a bigger hose and that has fixed 75% of the problem. There is another area where the gas enters the tank. If you remover the filler neck, you will see a white plastic insert in the neck of the tank. You can remover this from the tank by pulling very carefully. This insert deflects the gas down in to the tank. The opening is smaller then the filler neck. I cut/trimmed the opening bigger so the gas can flow freely in to the tank. Once both of these are done I have not had a problem since. Let me know if this helps.

I also noticed that at specific gas stations I had more problems that others. Level ground or the way you hold the hose had no effect on my fill or lack of being able to fill a tank.

[VXRickXV]

Take it to the dealer and ask them if they have replaced the fuel tank on your car yet. There was a safety recall on the Discovery gas tank. I found out after the dealer put me in their computer system. I got a letter in the mail telling me about the recall. since it's a recall, they replaced the tank, pump seal, breather tube and filler hose for free. They also gave me a free rental car for the day. It was a small Buick SUV which I had to return 24 hours after they finished the repairs. I returned as soon as they were done.

Originally Posted by SurferX

Hello all,

Just purchased my first Land Rover about 2 months ago. I love it! It's a Black 98 Discovery SE w/162k miles on it. Runs great, looks great but there are some issues I'm trying to fix. I'll post the biggest one first that I can't seem to figure out.

First time I took it to the gas station I filled the gas tank. 2nd time I only put about 10 gallons in it. 3 time it would only take 5 gallons then it overflowed. thought maybe the gauge was broken and it was full but then I ran out of gas #@$@#$. So I'm guessing it's some kind of fuel tank vent issue. I took my time and managed to get 11 gallons in it but it took 30min of waiting for it to burp and go down the filler neck. Nothing is stuck in the filler neck, I unplugged what looked like a vent on the gas tank above the filler neck thinking it might be glogged ( no difference).

Any ideas what to look at next?


other issues: Back windows don't work (think the window ecu is missing) , one bad sunroof motor, rear door subwoofer amp is missing, anti-lock brakes have a mind of there own (unplugged now cause it just about got me killed), slight tapping sound from the driver side valve cover, ashtray is missing, drink holder is missing, cuise control not working, rear wiper not working, window brake light not working (bulb is good).. that's all I can think of right now. All fuses have been checked btw

I still love it though and it has less issues than the Jaguar XJS I sold to buy this!

thanks!