XSPEC 30 litre diesel tank – leaking seal. AKA Long Haul tanks

[TheDocAUS]

The yellow XSPEC 30 litre diesel tank is mounted on XSPEC Window Utility Frame. These tanks come with an integrated funnel/spout/pourer in the cap. When the tank is sealed, the funnel points inside the tank. If you are pouring out fuel manually, the funnel is reversed and it gives you a funnel to go into the car filler neck.

WORD OF CAUTION: when the funnel is inside the tank make sure the funnel is flat against the opening and not at any angle, even a slight one. I recently had a small diesel leak out of my tank. I stopped and found a small amount of diesel across the back of the car, when doping a walk around. I thought the cap may have come loose, it was tight. Off I went.

I kept a close eye on the tank and it was leaking again. I stopped. The cap was not loose and everything looked sealed, until I undid the cap. When I did that, I could see the funnel was not flat against the container opening, leaving a very small gap in the rubber seal – the source of the leak. It was not visible until I undid the cap.

I am now sourcing a cap without a funnel to avoid this problem. XHQ are helping. I will put the funnel cap in the car if I need it - I normally use the electric fuel pump. This way I can always ensure a good seal when putting on the cap.

LESSON: check the car when you stop to find these issues early.

The red 20 litre XSPEC Petrol tank also has a reversible funnel.

Petrol model

 

[Tazzieman]

To add, the rubber seals in these types of funnelled tanks are IME a bit suspect. And when exposed to heat/UV/compression or accidental pinching, deterioration is inevitable.
Might be worth sourcing Viton ones for anything mounted to a vehicle. At least carry a spare.

 

[TheDocAUS]

To add, the rubber seals in these types of funnelled tanks are IME a bit suspect. And when exposed to heat/UV/compression or accidental pinching, deterioration is inevitable.
Might be worth sourcing Viton ones for anything mounted to a vehicle. At least carry a spare.

Tanks are made in Australia {EDIT: apparently not}, but I cannot find the details. I have in the past.

I am after a spare for both tanks, preferably with no spout.

I will also source some Viton gaskets, when I know sizes. EDIT: 40mm is the outer diameter of the gasket. The outer diameter of the cap is 50mm.

 

[m16magni]

Yes, I've had a bad experience with that sort of funnel/seal on a plastic fuel jerry. The seal is prone to stretching as it ages and won't seal the funnel.
A soon as mine arrived from XHQ I realised that the seal and funnel used are also not a standard size so I got online and ordered a spare kit from AliExpress.
I am pretty sure the tanks are not made in Australia. There is no place of manufacture stamped on the tank but if you read the warning labels stamped on it, the English appears to be translated from another language.
The manufacturer is 'Long-Haul' and I bought a second tank online which proved to be identical to the XHQ one when it arrived. I just had to pay a few bucks for the locksmith to match the locks from the second tank to the keys from the first tank.
The tanks work really well with the XSpec mount, especially using an electric pump on the driver side. However, I was a little disappointed that you can't put 30L into them when they are mounted sideways on the vehicle, but 26L is still better than the standard 20L jerry.
Viton is a good idea and I will also have a look for a seal in that, but it might be easier just to find a cap and o-ring that fits.

 

[TheDocAUS]

Yes, I've had a bad experience with that sort of funnel/seal on a plastic fuel jerry. The seal is prone to stretching as it ages and won't seal the funnel.
A soon as mine arrived from XHQ I realised that the seal and funnel used are also not a standard size so I got online and ordered a spare kit from AliExpress.
I am pretty sure the tanks are not made in Australia. There is no place of manufacture stamped on the tank but if you read the warning labels stamped on it, the English appears to be translated from another language.
The manufacturer is 'Long-Haul' and I bought a second tank online which proved to be identical to the XHQ one when it arrived. I just had to pay a few bucks for the locksmith to match the locks from the second tank to the keys from the first tank.
The tanks work really well with the XSpec mount, especially using an electric pump on the driver side. However, I was a little disappointed that you can't put 30L into them when they are mounted sideways on the vehicle, but 26L is still better than the standard 20L jerry.
Viton is a good idea and I will also have a look for a seal in that, but it might be easier just to find a cap and o-ring that fits.

Did you find cap without the funnel?

I have ordered Viton gaskets. I will confirm they fit before you buy them.

You can only get in 26 litres when mounted. If you fill the tanks up off the car, you can get close to 30 litres in. But it means you need to take them off again to empty them into the car.

 

[m16magni]

Did you find cap without the funnel?

I have ordered Viton gaskets. I will confirm they fit before you buy them.

You can only get in 26 litres when mounted. If you fill the tanks up off the car, you can get close to 30 litres in. But it means you need to take them off again to empty them into the car.

I need to take the cap down to the plumbing section at Bunnings to find out what the thread is.
Yes ...too much effort for me to lift the full tank above my shoulders every time I want to fill or empty it so in my case the convenience of filling and emptying it mounted is well worth 4L....It's a sad thing old age!

 

[TheDocAUS]

What pump are you using?

I have the SEAFLO here. It works really well and is stored in a dry bag (zero diesel odour in the car).

XHQ had to bore out the opening on the tank to allow the SEAFLO pump to be inserted. The default opening is too small for the pump to be inserted..

 

[m16magni]

I haven't used the second tank that I bought online and have just compared the mouth opening. You are right, the one from XHQ has been bored out and I think that is probably the reason for the fuel leak. The funnel and seal don't sit flat by themselves in the bored out (XHQ) tank and the caps have to be carefully screwed on each time and checked that seal is good. In the original tank the funnel and seal naturally sit flat and tight against the tank mouth without the caps on(in fact to remove the funnel you need to pry it out with your fingers).
The electric pump pickup won't fit through the mouth of the tank I bought online so I will need to bore it out like XHQ have done if I want to use the electric pump. The 30L tank with 2 locks cost me $182 delivered to my door in Adelaide which is less than half the $399 + postage cost from XHQ. However, I did have to spend $20 getting the locks matched so that one key would open all 4 of the locking mounts rather than have 2 sets of keys. The inside bore of my XHQ tank has rifling/screw marks but I will probably just Dremel my other tank if I want to use the pump with it.
The electric pump I am using is; https://easyflo.com.au/battery-powered-pump-handle-power-switch-and-auto-off-sensor/
I have a friend using the seaflo pump but I prefer the Easyflo which is very similar but is sold by an Australian company in QLD. It is Korean made but spare parts, accessories and support are all readily available from the local Qld company. I haven't been able to find any local support for the Seaflo 12v pumps. My friend bought his Seaflo on Temu.
I already had an older Easyflo 12v pump(see attached pic) which is very similar to the XHQ Seaflo for use with fuel jerries and drums but I wanted a dedicated one for the car so got the new model Easyflo with the on/off power switch in the nozzle handle rather than on the jerry. The new model also has a proper industrial strength PVC fuel filler hose.
I copied Ronny Dahl's setup and store my pump in a $40 Bunnings Tactix tough case which is airtight and keeps the fuel fumes out of the car. Dry bag is a great idea...except I didn't think of it! It would pack better than the hard case.
Mark

 

[NixGrenadier2023]

I haven't used the second tank that I bought online and have just compared the mouth opening. You are right, the one from XHQ has been bored out and I think that is probably the reason for the fuel leak. The funnel and seal don't sit flat by themselves in the bored out (XHQ) tank and the caps have to be carefully screwed on each time and checked that seal is good. In the original tank the funnel and seal naturally sit flat and tight against the tank mouth without the caps on(in fact to remove the funnel you need to pry it out with your fingers).
The electric pump pickup won't fit through the mouth of the tank I bought online so I will need to bore it out like XHQ have done if I want to use the electric pump. The 30L tank with 2 locks cost me $182 delivered to my door in Adelaide which is less than half the $399 + postage cost from XHQ. However, I did have to spend $20 getting the locks matched so that one key would open all 4 of the locking mounts rather than have 2 sets of keys. The inside bore of my XHQ tank has rifling/screw marks but I will probably just Dremel my other tank if I want to use the pump with it.
The electric pump I am using is; https://easyflo.com.au/battery-powered-pump-handle-power-switch-and-auto-off-sensor/
I have a friend using the seaflo pump but I prefer the Easyflo which is very similar but is sold by an Australian company in QLD. It is Korean made but spare parts, accessories and support are all readily available from the local Qld company. I haven't been able to find any local support for the Seaflo 12v pumps. My friend bought his Seaflo on Temu.
I already had an older Easyflo 12v pump(see attached pic) which is very similar to the XHQ Seaflo for use with fuel jerries and drums but I wanted a dedicated one for the car so got the new model Easyflo with the on/off power switch in the nozzle handle rather than on the jerry. The new model also has a proper industrial strength PVC fuel filler hose.
I copied Ronny Dahl's setup and store my pump in a $40 Bunnings Tactix tough case which is airtight and keeps the fuel fumes out of the car. Dry bag is a great idea...except I didn't think of it! It would pack better than the hard case.
Mark

Interesting... I've been considering a similar setup. Now that I can see pictures, I can understand that the pump pickup does not fit into the tank without reaming/boring the tank filler neck.

As an alternative solution, is it possible to dismantle/modify the pump pickup (grey plastic assembly) and make it smaller (shave off any excess diameter plastic), or not use the larger diameter outside housing?

 

[TheDocAUS]

I haven't used the second tank that I bought online and have just compared the mouth opening. You are right, the one from XHQ has been bored out and I think that is probably the reason for the fuel leak. The funnel and seal don't sit flat by themselves in the bored out (XHQ) tank and the caps have to be carefully screwed on each time and checked that seal is good. In the original tank the funnel and seal naturally sit flat and tight against the tank mouth without the caps on(in fact to remove the funnel you need to pry it out with your fingers).
The electric pump pickup won't fit through the mouth of the tank I bought online so I will need to bore it out like XHQ have done if I want to use the electric pump. The 30L tank with 2 locks cost me $182 delivered to my door in Adelaide which is less than half the $399 + postage cost from XHQ. However, I did have to spend $20 getting the locks matched so that one key would open all 4 of the locking mounts rather than have 2 sets of keys. The inside bore of my XHQ tank has rifling/screw marks but I will probably just Dremel my other tank if I want to use the pump with it.
The electric pump I am using is; https://easyflo.com.au/battery-powered-pump-handle-power-switch-and-auto-off-sensor/
I have a friend using the seaflo pump but I prefer the Easyflo which is very similar but is sold by an Australian company in QLD. It is Korean made but spare parts, accessories and support are all readily available from the local Qld company. I haven't been able to find any local support for the Seaflo 12v pumps. My friend bought his Seaflo on Temu.
I already had an older Easyflo 12v pump(see attached pic) which is very similar to the XHQ Seaflo for use with fuel jerries and drums but I wanted a dedicated one for the car so got the new model Easyflo with the on/off power switch in the nozzle handle rather than on the jerry. The new model also has a proper industrial strength PVC fuel filler hose.
I copied Ronny Dahl's setup and store my pump in a $40 Bunnings Tactix tough case which is airtight and keeps the fuel fumes out of the car. Dry bag is a great idea...except I didn't think of it! It would pack better than the hard case.
Mark

Mark

I was handed the wrong tanks when XHQ did the install. Later I am at Cunnamulla wanting to get the fuel and the Seaflo pump would not go into the opening.

When I got back to XHQ they said there was a mix up, I was given the wrong tanks. I saw them bore the hole bigger.

Your observations about the larger opening helps explain the leak.

 

[TheDocAUS]

As an alternative solution, is it possible to dismantle/modify the pump pickup (grey plastic assembly) and make it smaller (shave off any excess diameter plastic), or not use the larger diameter outside housing?

Probably not, that part has the spinning "blades" that pump the fuel up the hose. It looks similar to a turbo impeller.

 

[TheDocAUS]

This thread is revealing a few secrets.

1. Why the XHQ tank can leak, if you are not very careful.
2. Realistic fuel capacity is around 26 litres (not 30) if you fill or empty the tank while mounted.
3. 26 litres of fuel does move around in the tank. You can sometimes hear a thud, as the wave of fuel hits the front of the tank as you brake, noticeable at low speeds.
4. You can only get close to achieving 30 litres, if the tank is taken off the car and you stand it on its narrow end for filling or emptying - otherwise fuel will leak.
5. The Easyflo pump is cheaper than the Seaflo pump. Either pump makes the fuel transfer process easy.
6. Hard cases or dry bags stop the fuel odor, when storing pumps inside the car.
7. You do not need to bore the tank opening if you just use the manual filler spout, or a jiggler hose.
8. Now you can DYI your own tanks and pumps, if you have Molle or storage panels on your rear sides.

 

[m16magni]

Interesting... I've been considering a similar setup. Now that I can see pictures, I can understand that the pump pickup does not fit into the tank without reaming/boring the tank filler neck.

As an alternative solution, is it possible to dismantle/modify the pump pickup (grey plastic assembly) and make it smaller (shave off any excess diameter plastic), or not use the larger diameter outside housing?

No, TheDocAus is right...the 2cm cap at the end of the pump pickup is the widest part, made of rigid plastic and contains the impeller. The pump won't work if you remove the pickup housing and just use the hose, it needs the impeller and motor.
Apart from the risk of damaging the impeller, the 'shaving' required appears to be too great to maintain the integrity of the small bulbous end cap.
However, having said that, I notice that Easyflo sell replacement caps; https://easyflo.com.au/pump-motor-replacement-cap/ so you could experiment knowing that if it didn't work out you can always purchase another cap and restore it how it was.