Cork or Neoprene?

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Peter Silten
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Cork or Neoprene?

#1 Post by Peter Silten »

I am thinking of replacing the gasket that seals my gas tank's bottom fuel sender. I know that there are at least two types of gaskets, those made made from cork and neoprene. Which will perform the best in the long run? Thanks.

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Victor Ingram
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Re: Cork or Neoprene?

#2 Post by Victor Ingram »

I vote for Neoprene

Kevin Wills
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Re: Cork or Neoprene?

#3 Post by Kevin Wills »

I can't speak to longevity since I just put it in a couple months ago, but I went with neoprene on my bottom sender. I made the choice based on the cork, that was in there for years previously, shrinking and seeping.

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Peter Silten
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Re: Cork or Neoprene?

#4 Post by Peter Silten »

Thanks Victor and Kevin. The reason that I asked is that a couple of days ago I noticed a very small puddle of gas collecting under the front of my car. I thought it was coming from the petcock. I was "relieved" to find that it was coming from the bottom sender, a much easier repair. The screws securing the gasket in place were all loose. I tightened them up and the seeping/weeping stopped. I plan to replace the 20 year old gasket in the near future and that is why I asked which type of gasket I should get. The consensus seems to be neoprene.

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Art Caputo
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Re: Cork or Neoprene?

#5 Post by Art Caputo »

I have always had cork. After my restoration I purchased a neoprene gasket with the expectation that I would have to replace the cork gasket. That was 5000 miles ago and the original cork gasket has been totally leak free. It is important to tighten the gas cap to the full stop.
Art Caputo
1960 T5 Roadster
1956 A Coupe
1986 Carrera
2018 Cayenne
2017 Macan(wife)

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Cork or Neoprene?

#6 Post by Mike Wilson »

If the cork gaskets work, that's great. I prefer the neoprene for the fuel sender, gas and oil filler caps and Vic's gaskets for the valve covers. The modern materials work for my car.

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Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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Wes Bender
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Re: Cork or Neoprene?

#7 Post by Wes Bender »

Art, is your sender on the bottom of the tank as Peter's is? Your mentioning tightening the cap leads me to think it's not. If I had a bottom sender, which I don't, I believe I would go with neoprene.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Cork or Neoprene?

#8 Post by Mike Wilson »

I think Art was talking about his gas cap, not a fuel sender.

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Wes Bender
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Re: Cork or Neoprene?

#9 Post by Wes Bender »

Hadn't thought of that.... OP's talking sender.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Cork or Neoprene?

#10 Post by Mike Wilson »

Right, Wes. The original topic went a bit sideways but the broad topic of cork vs. neoprene is worthy of discussion. The new Porsches probably have the modern seals and gasket materials; neoprene, Viton, etc.

Mike
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Jon Schmid
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Re: Cork or Neoprene?

#11 Post by Jon Schmid »

I wouldn't trust cork for any kind of seal anymore.

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Art Caputo
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Re: Cork or Neoprene?

#12 Post by Art Caputo »

Wes Bender wrote: Sun Jun 26, 2022 12:51 pm Art, is your sender on the bottom of the tank as Peter's is? Your mentioning tightening the cap leads me to think it's not. If I had a bottom sender, which I don't, I believe I would go with neoprene.
My sender is in the top of the tank.
Art Caputo
1960 T5 Roadster
1956 A Coupe
1986 Carrera
2018 Cayenne
2017 Macan(wife)

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