The little 'door' thing on my fuel filler pipe is stuck open so subsequently petrol comes out of my fuel tank and drips (some times pours) down the side of my car, is there any way to fix this or do I have to totally replace the fuel tank? Thanks.

 

In addition to the "little door thing" there should be a cap screwed into the filler pipe.

Did I misunderstand your question?

 

Lol of course, except that it still comes out, thats the problem.

 

Bad cap, it should hold the fuel back regardless of the 'flapper' valve.

 

Ok thanks I'll go buy a new one tomorrow.

 

The little door flapper is an ancient, out-of-date, overcome-by-events emissions thing to "prevent" people from dribbling leaded fuel into the tank, which would ruin the catalytic converter. It has absolutely nothing to do with keeping fuel in the tank, as 82camaro is saying.

When was the last time you pulled up to a gas station that had a leaded fuel pump? Well, I don't know about down under, but it hasn't been available as an over-the-road fuel in the States for a couple of decades (race tracks, airports, yes - but not road-taxed fuel).

 

Does leaded fuel burn better? You say airports and tracks have it? Im just curious as to why it would be better or worse.