Petrol can recommendations

[PodOne]

Hi all

Bit of a nasty surprise today after overhauling and improving the fuel tank pipework to R9 to deal with the usual petrol smells along with calibrating the fuel sender over the winter.

The petrol smell had gone and all was well until it returned this week to stink the garage out which is linked to the house so annoyingly I was planning on stripping the boot out to investigate only to find that the green plastic Halfords 5L petrol container was on its side and around 2L had leaked out through the cap hence the smell. The cap would tighten and then fail to hold as if the threads are stripped. The container should have remained sealed even on its side and I'm not happy it would survive an accident. Fortunately I'd disconnected the battery before hand as I hadn't the time until today to investigate.

So go check those containers and I would appreciate anyone recommending a metal 5L jerry can type container that will fit in a TR6 boot. 

The carpet and wooden wheel cover are outside airing off but I'm not sure they will save but at least they prevented the rest of the boot floor and spare tyre from a soaking.

Thanks

Andy

[John Morrison]

My recommendation would be not to carry petrol in a container in the boot

John

[harlequin]

Personally Andy I wouldn't carry extra fuel around 

George 

[RogerH]

Hi Andy about two years ago Sue kept on about petrol smell in the 4A.
I checked all the pipes and anything that may smell with no positive leak.

Eventually I found that my green Halfords can had a broken cap.  With it tightened down for a long period the top of the cap split off due to stress.
The threaded body was still quite secure.

I'm sure this style of  plastic can is made in their millions and then badged up.

Is it possible to replace the plastic cap with a brass one (I doubt it though)

Roger

[harrytr5]

A time bomb. Plenty of garages around. Leave it at home. Mike North came up with a sensible idea if your fuel gauge is suspect. Zero your trip meter after fill up and when it gets to 200 miles look out for a petrol station and fill up. Good advice.

Regards Harry

[RobH]

 In my 1930 M-type it is a necessity to carry a can since the car only has a four-gallon tank, and in country areas the petrol-stations can be few and not easy to find;  'range anxiety' is nothing new.    The car's tank is located on the scuttle behind the engine and above your knees.  A spare can carried in the boot is probably rather safer than that.   

 

 

 

 

[john.r.davies]

"Safety" fuel.cans are available,just a google away.   But i agree, unless you're crossing the Gobi, iot necessay.

John

[trchris]

I concur with above l have a metal can with a brass cap which l use when l need some fuel it’s only in the boot for the length of the journey to and from the petrol station 

Chris

[RogerH]

Even in our little country, garages are sometimes rather elusive.

Once up in Scotland mainland there were no garages having travelled for about 30+ miles. Eventually running on fumes I found a closed garage but they had
honesty gallon cans on the forecourt - a god send.

Another occassion on Lewis I eventually found a 24Hr unmanned garage in the middle of nowhere.

I appreciate that having a gallon in the boot has its dangers but actually driving on the road is also a serious biusness.

 

Roger

[Z320]

an empty can in the car can be useful to avoid to buy (another) one on the next gas station

 

 

[Steve-B]

I wouldn’t travel in rural France or Spain without one, especially on a Sunday when most forecourts are shut. 

[Hamish]

I use the Halfords plastic cans to go racing. 
I do leave them empty though as I don’t like old fuel so i use the cans in the car and top up the cans when I have an event. 
they are not too expensive so just change them every couple years if you are worried. 
mine are 4/5 years old so far. 

[barkerwilliams]

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Edited May 1 by barkerwilliams

[John Morrison]

10 hours ago, harrytr5 said:

A time bomb. Plenty of garages around. Leave it at home. Mike North came up with a sensible idea if your fuel gauge is suspect. Zero your trip meter after fill up and when it gets to 200 miles look out for a petrol station and fill up. Good advice.

Regards Harry

Good advice plus I carry a tank dipstick = peace of mind

John

[Z320]

oh, my wifes 200 miles rule!

[AndyR100]

I understand the frustration, I bought a Carplan fuel can 6 months ago, the cap gave up after 4 months - bl00dy useless. I’ve been looking for a decent one to replace it but the current quality seems very poor.

I suspect a chandler may be the best bet for a replacement, but I haven’t found one yet

[PodOne]

Thanks all for the feedback.

The gauge since calibrating it is now accurate. Before this as I wasn't ever convinced it was hence the container just in case.  The container is only a couple of years old. I think folk are right unless traveling into the wilds leave it at home for the lawnmower much safer.

Anyway I hope others if nothing else just check their containers if they ever have the need to carry some extra fuel.

Andy

[AndyR100]

This post prompted me to have another search for a decent fuel can, as suspected a chandler has come up trumps.

For those who are interested this one isn’t made of rice paper and should last considerably longer than the other rubbish that is being sold by car accessory places.

https://ebay.us/m/k56xAQ
 

….. Andy