Gas Tank

ecdez · Post by **ecdez** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 10:11 am

I did a search and didn't find anything so now I'll ask.

My gas tank need a good cleaning. Is there any reasonable way to do this with it in the car?

I'll be surprised if I get a positive response to that one.

So, on a scale of 1 - 10 (with 10 being the hardest) what would you rate gas tank removal at? The back of the car is still on ramps so I havn't even climbed under the front to check it out. Any tips? Anything not to do? This will be the last holdup to getting it back on the road so any help is appreciated.

67 T1 · Post by **67 T1** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 10:18 am

I've got to do the same on mine. I have no idea of the current condition, but a rusty tank on my 181 caused much pain,....and walking.

At that time, I was told to take the tank out, wash down (clean) some gravel, throw those in there with about a 1/2 gal of gas, and vigorously shake. I didn't do this, I just bought a new tank.

DeathBus · Post by **DeathBus** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 10:44 am

My brown van had about 2 inches of sludge and was completly rusted inside, found a used tank, took it to a radiator shop had them clean it and treat it all for $100.

Ibeleive you have to pull the front suspension to take the tank out??????

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 11:25 am

http://www.prp-porstore.com/page/por15/ ... alers/FTRK

Suspension will probably have to come out of my cars anyway, man I can't wait! I just need a place to work...Company still hasn't decided if my department will move yet, so everything is on hold, damn.

DeathBus · Post by **DeathBus** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 11:42 am

Thats a good deal!

ecdez · Post by **ecdez** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 12:18 pm

I really don't want to pull the suspension but I guess I have no choice. I've learned over and over again that it's always worth it to do it right in the first place.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 8:01 pm

Yup...suspension has to come out. But...the suspension is less than two hours work. Really easy. The tank will have issues though.
(1) put up on stands
(2) remove wheels
(3) Remove struts complete
(4) hang calipers with discs Knuckles and off to the side. Use heavy wire.
(5) Loosen clamp for steering column.
(6) remove 3 bolts from steering box in fenderwell
(7) remove 3 bolts from idler bracket in fender well
(8) get a jack or a prop for the suspension "T"
(9) leaving ontrol arms and ball joints attached....market exact location of T piece front and rear.
(10) Remove 3 19mm suspension bolts.....suspension falls on floor....or jack....done!

The tank is held in with a bolt at each corner. But...it has very hard to reah stiff breather tubes on the upper right...and small bore breather tubes too. Don't forget to disconnect the sending unit.

You should drain the tank completely. Disconnect the hoses. Hose it out. Let it dry for a day or two. Buy 2 gallons of muratic acid (swimming pool hydrochloric acid mixture...wall mart...about $6 a gallon or less). Carefully mix it with watre to make about a 70-30% acid to water mix...to pour in the tank. Fill it up, let it sit for about 5 hours. Slosh it around. It will fizz. It will literally eat every spec of rust. Drain the acid int a 5 gallon jug. Rinse the tank twice. Let it dry for a day. Yes... it will surafce rust on the inside. Thats what you want. get a gallon of OSPHO (phosphoric acid dip) at ace hardware. Pour in a quart, slosh it all around thoroughly. Let sit for a while ...repeat. Pour out the stuff. If its warm outside an the tank is in the sun....do this 3 times in a day. Then let it dry 24 hours...rinse with solvent (mineral spirits)...done! You have turned the now uniform surface rust left after the acid...into black oxide....permanently. It will not rust again. This is good for very lightly crusty tanks.

vwbill · Post by **vwbill** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 9:55 pm

You could pull the drain plug and drain the extra gas then put a hose in the tank filler neck and flush with your solvent or cleaner of choice for the fast flush,lol! bill

ecdez · Post by **ecdez** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 4:14 am

Does anybody else print out every post that Ray makes?

I've almost got a complete book.

Thanks for the info. The engine should be back in the car this weekend so I'll drop the back and raise the front. Anything else I should do while I've got the front end torn apart?

DeathBus · Post by **DeathBus** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 5:05 am

ecdez wrote:Does anybody else print out every post that Ray makes? I've almost got a complete book.

Yep I do, him and Jake Raby.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 3:03 pm

I flattered. Could I get a copy too? My memory is getting full....and it would save me from having to dig through all of my sh*t to fix my own stuff

Ray

DeathBus · Post by **DeathBus** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 3:36 pm

Maybe ecdez has better copies, mine are all covered in grease and oil!

I actually learned how to build Type 4 Motors by Watching Jake in the Bug Me Video Type 4 rebuild. I can reccomend that video for EVERYONE, it's quite good.

ecdez · Post by **ecdez** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 1:11 pm

Started tearing mine apart yesterday. Since my wiring incident, I've decided to start documenting what I do with pictures. Here's what I did. I hope it's useful to someone else.

I'll add more as I get them.

67 T1 · Post by **67 T1** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 2:01 pm

HOOAH! Pics are great. This is my next project. Seems that Ecdez and I are on the same track, 'cept he's about one project ahead.

What are you doing next so I can start my own planning

DeathBus · Post by **DeathBus** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 2:43 pm

Jeez assload of work, to bad it is not like a Beetle or even a bus, At least you dont have to disassemble the damn cars to take the tank out!

GREAT PICS ECDEZ!

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Gas Tank

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