Why does my fuel tap leak?

[Snails]

A bit of a long standing issue, my fuel taps leaks, which I think is happening at the sealing for the turny bit that switches the fuel on and off.
Having taken it apart I cant really see any way this can fail, in that the seal is created by the plastic and metal plates themselves rather than say an o ring. I'm pretty sure my old tap used to do this (not 100% sure it was at this same point) but that was one of the reasons I replaced it. This tap is probably too old to take back to the place I bought it from so is there anything I can do to stop it leaking or some school boy error I could be doing..

[Meds]

I always rebuild the tap using plumbers tape on the threads, it stops petrol weeping down threads.

[holty]

the seal inside the tap is a rubber washer with 3 holes, they can be replaced if you can get the rubber washer, also the rubber washer swells a bit over time and a leaky tap can stop leaking. if its leaking from the threaded section, try tightening the nut a bit tighter, or thread tap as mentioned earlier.

[HxPaul]

Tightening the nut onto the tap and onto the tank traps the bottom part of the filter between the tap and the tank making a seal,if the tank isn't flat or has a nick in it,it will leak.If its leaking from the tap,the only cure is to change the seal in the tap,as holty said,or buy a new tap.

[Snails]

I will try the plumbers tape on the thready but Im pretty sure it is leaking from the tap

I'm assuming something like silicone would just be dissolved by the petrol?

[dave411]

Oh yes,dont put silicone near petrol.

[Snails]

Thought as much