Draining fuel tank...

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 5:59 pm

OK, I'm working on one of my 412's, just trying to get it started to go around the block and see how the mechanical condition of the engine is. I don't really want to take the gas tank out right at this time. I was under the car looking as well as looking a spare gas tank I have, and there seems to be a little plug at the lowest point of the tank? I know I can disconnect one of the hoses and drain most of the gas that way, but this plug looks like the way to go if it comes out easily, if at all. I don't want to go tearing in to rare parts without knowing exactly what I am up against. I'm sure you guys know what to do and can advise me, as some of you have gone through the same thing in recent history. Thanks!

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 8:00 pm

It will take like a 6mm hex key. Tap on the plug a few times to make sure its not frozen. Then wack it with the hammer. It is the drain plug. They rarely give problems. Use some anti-sieze on the threads when reinstalling. Very forward thinking of them to install a plug

Ray

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 8:17 pm

Awesome! I was hoping it was a functional drain plug. Now, if only they had been more forward thinking when they decided to put that foam in the body panels...

Edit: Oh yeah, don't worry, I am replacing the fuel filter too.

MGVWfan · Post by **MGVWfan** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 8:25 pm

And if you take out the cover plate in the front trunk, then the gas gauge sender, you can look down on the plug from above and see what manner of grunge hideth in yon tanque as you drain the crud...and maybe even hep it 'long a bit with some solvent.

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 8:31 pm

I hope it is not too bad, the car has sat for about 4-5 years, awhile, but not 20 years like some. You never know, could be a mess...

MGVWfan · Post by **MGVWfan** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 7:17 pm

Watch out though, it'll drip on the front crossmember unless you figure out a way to deflect the crapstream from the plug hole...it splashed all over the place when I drained my sitting-8-years 412 tank. I used 1 quart of VM&P naphtha as the varnish and sludge solvent, followed by 1-2 quarts of paint thinner (Stoddard solvent) to get the naphtha out, followed by a constant stream of air from a small (induction-motor-powered, NOT brush-type universal motor) blower feeding air into the gas gauge opening (gas filler opened up to allow the air to discharge) to dry the tank out. Compressed air would have worked as well.

Safety reminder moment...No smoking!!!! No sparks!!! Gas tanks are potential bombs!!! Use common sense!!!

To really dry the tank, I found I needed a few hours of constant ventilation. After that, the tank was clean and nice.

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 8:37 pm

Thanks for the advice. I haven't done it yet. Don't worry, I am very paranoid about the handling of gasoline. I've got to do some thinking now, whether maybe it might be worth it to remove the tank as I will have to move cars out of the way, push outside somewhere, drain the tank, then push it back into the shop (all by myself).

MGVWfan · Post by **MGVWfan** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 8:40 pm

If you had a few brewskis and I lived a few hundred miles closer, I'd help

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 8:54 pm

It's only around a 10hr. drive

MGVWfan · Post by **MGVWfan** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 8:58 pm

Hmmm, maybe a road trip when I get the Nomad running...go see Herr Doktor Ray in Big D, then Herr Krap in Mizzou...