I guess I need to change the fuel cover. Thanks to Tom and Abran for their advice and insights. I have been smelling gas strongly when my LR3 is running and by the right rear tire when stopped. Hope the part is in stock at the Rover dealership tomorrow (Saturday) as I’m headed to the WNRRL rally. Not many days between then and now to get it done.

Before I go to the dealer, did anyone change the retainer or gasket also?

So the other thread was on a 5.0. On yours it’s just a gasket that is the problem. I’m guessing.

That’s good news. Have you seen anything else fail? Plastic connectors or o rings on the connectors?

No, just the seal. Going to the shop in 30 minutes. But it’s only been one vehicle. It’s very possible it’s sonething else.

I can have my wife see if any local suppliers have it today.

if so, we can order and have an UBER deliver it to you.

I know, above and beyond, right!

Here’s a tidbit of knowledge that the Land Rover Parts manger taught me:
many of early LR3s had their fuel tanks replaced due to a TSB. The new tank has an opening that is larger and has a filter on the cover. Gaskets are not interchangeable.
I don’t know the full history of my Rover and wasn’t able to get a response from the prior owner in time. Luckily, Pasadena Land Rover had both in stock. So, since a buddy offered to help drop the tank tomorrow, tomorrow is the day. I’ll return whichever part I don’t use.
Prior owner has since replied that he didn’t think the tank had been replaced.
I’ll post up photos as I do it.

So book says 2.3 hours. A friend and I did it in just under 2 without hurrying, including vacuuming and cleaning the top of the tank really well. I drove the car until the computer said 5 miles remaining to make the tank as light as possible. The truck had sat overnight and this morning, I started the truck to move it about five feet. I ran a total of 15 seconds. Maybe some was from the day before. Either way I was surprised by the amount of fuel on top of the tank. When we dropped the tank, there was about 1/4 cup of fresh gas on the cover and in the low spot of the tank. Losing a lot of fuel in a short time. Amazing it didn’t burn to the ground yesterday to be honest.
Easy to do, especially with 4 hands. A couple of the quick disconnects took some effort. Especially one inside the tank. It seems to be the gas pickup. TomRs pictures in the sticky helped a lot. Thanks Tom!

I had the older tank and was fortunate the dealer had it in stock. I was able to remove it (slid it out the right side) while in off road height plus 25mm from GAP tool. No jack needed for the vehicle. Did use the jack to support the tank during install.
Seal seems to be poorly designed and split nearly half way around along a crease. Seems to be sheared as opposed to deteriorated. Maybe the tank expands with heat at a different rate as the plastic cover
Old seal was $78, new design was $19 and a simple o ring. Not interchangeable. New cover is very different. Includes a filter
Note, I broke the quick disconnect on the cover, it was being a pain and was getting replaced anyway.
Otherwise, I couldn’t see any cracks in the plastic. If you were to do this, I would just buy the seal. Dealer wanted to sell it only as a kit.


Side note the drive line coupler bushing was shot. Another project!

Added some gas, drove around and happy to say.....smells good!
I’ll call that a success!
Saved about $500 in labor at the dealer!