Fuel filler neck

[MFD70]

Anyone have any ideas on a new or used fuel filler neck for my 2000 North face (I think they're all the same '97-'01 anyway). mine has rusted through. I could get one from the US but need it ASAP, the breakers near me in Newport seems to have gone under, numbers are all dead and no reply from e-mails. Anyone else breaking explorers in the UK ?

 

[janolsson]

You could try Duncan in Aylesbury. He advertises timing chain repair on EBAY as whatsontv

 

[kevin p]

I can recommend "radcab71" on ebay. I had one from him and it was like brand new.

 

[kellen]

Hi there

Where has it rusted through? Mine rusted through on one of the ends that goes into the rubber pipe. I removed it, and removed the rusted section from the rubber pipe. This was actually quite easy...had to use a junior hacksaw to cut through the clips holding the pipes and use a hacksaw blade to cut the piece inside the rubber pipe before levering it out. I then cleaned up the filler neck with a wire brush. Be careful here as they tend to perforate. I filled the few pinprick holes and then rust treated and reinstalled it. The rubber pipes in the filler system have enough length in them to compensate for the loss of the end of the pipe (there are two pipes actually and only one of mine rusted through) on the neck itself. You will need new jubilee clips. It was actually a satisfying job and worked well. It may get you through until you can order one from the US or may work as a perm fix if it has rusted through in the right place! Good luck. Neil

 

[MFD70]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Unfortunately the neck is rusted completely with holes all around, I did think of welding, but there's nothing to weld to !
I've found two breakers which may be able to help, Piggots York and A-Z in Cumbria neither local unfortunately though.

 

[kevin p]

I just fibreglassed my old one. It was riddled with pin pricks, but lasted another 4 years.

 

[Stenasev]

You could try Duncan in Aylesbury. He advertises timing chain repair on EBAY as whatsontv

watsontv

 

[Stenasev]

I just fibreglassed my old one. It was riddled with pin pricks, but lasted another 4 years.

Mine was pretty bad all over. I patched it with 'chemical metal'. It too lasted about four years. However it finally went again and I couldn't face repairing it so I got a used one from the states but they are all like brand new over there!

Pretty much anything you get over here has suffered 15 years or so of British weather!

 

[MFD70]

I did try whatsontv, he didn't have one, I've ordered one from Piggots in York, they are breaking an explorer, as are A-Z in Cumbria (though they don't have a filler neck !) if anyone needs any other parts.
Any word on the Newport breakers, I had a PM that the owner was working elsewhere, does anyone know of Explorer, Ford or US vechicles breakers in the UK, a list would be useful.

 

[ihpj]

Being as its fuel and I didn't want any safety issues I opted to buy a new replacement (got it from 1A Auto when I was in the US) as opposed to messing around patching it up as it was needing replacement (question of when not if).

Although no doubt very expensive, you could USAutomotive in Bedford. I'd bet they have one in stock - but it'll cost you. When it comes to fuel, best not mess about do the job right first time.

 

[MFD70]

Safety is an important issue, I mentioned welding but I'd be very carefull as I knew someone who was killed whilst welding a petrol tank on an Escort Mexico, an experienced mechanic too. The filler neck is less dangerous since there shouldn't be any vapour build up. Once I get the replacement, I'll probably clean it up and treat with hammerite (or similar) to keep the rust down. I'll try to post some pictures.

 

[restorerpete]

I managed to get one from Justin in Newport for my 97 Explorer (before he finished there) the entry neck for the tank was also rusted so I had to fibreglass that but it did the trick and that was 3 years ago now. So just make sure the tank is in good condition before you finish the job. I`ts quite an easy job otherwise
Best of luck, Pete