The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hello,
I have repeatedly tried to fix a leak from the union between the fuel tank tap and the pipe.
It has had a couple of new olives fitted and the internals of the tap don't seem to be damaged
It stops for a bit once fixed then starts again!

Someone I spoke to seems to think there should be a rubber ring/seal between the pipe olive and tap body though I can't see it on any drawings I have seen.
Can anyone confirm if it should have seals fitted?
Many thanks

It should close with only the olive. Mind you, today's olives could be different than the old ones. The new ones are tapered and not round.
Maybe buy a new tank tap. It could have some damage.
Also you have to remove the used part of the pipe. The olive should go on a new part that has not been squeezed.

I think part of the problem is that the pipe is copper (replacement i guess) so perhaps squeezes down in size as well

I could get a new tap which might well help, but I'm trying to keep as many original parts as is possible on the tractor so would prefer to fix if I can
Many thanks

Both taper and round olives are still made. However, they are both available in imperial and metric sizes with some metric ones close, but not close enough, to the old original pipe sizes.
I suggest you use a set of calipers to accurately measure the pipe before trying again. Even though you can't keep cutting chunks off, as Henk says you need a new, unsqueezed section which has also been cleaned with emery paper. Being a compression fitting, the nut has to be tightened quite a bit in order to compress the olive onto the pipe. After that's done unscrew the nut and try twisting the olive; it should not rotate. In the workshop we also applied Loctite flange sealant as a fail safe. It's expensive, but over the years it's been a godsend.
Pavel

Thank you for the advice, this must mean there are no rubber seals, just the olives

I think I will get some new pipe and start from scratch

Hello,
With my 6cyl conversion I will be stepping up a size with the pipe as I seem to recall the tube nut size also suits the larger pipe, I suspect that the pipe was not Ideally suited originally and were a bit undersized in the first place, if you get the largest outside diameter olive available it will work better.

Mike

While we are on the subject of fuel lines, I have noticed on a few tractors the line from the tank to the pump has a plastic coating on it, is this somthing Ford did for a short period or have they been replaced at some point?

Pat

Just a quick update on my fuel leak

I have fitted a small o ring onto the pipe in front of the olive today.
This, at the moment has stopped the leak, if it will last is another thing. I don't have a lot of spare time at the moment, and with other more important hydraulic issues to sort it will have to do for the time being