FYI, not all gas tanks interchangeable...

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 1:45 pm

Well, I don't know if it is an early/late or D-Jet/L-Jet issue, but it seems all gas tanks are not created equal. Outside dimensions and shapes are identical, but the hole for the fuel level sender is totally different as well as being in a slightly different spot. My wagon has the sender that is a long rod with the float on the end, while the extra tank I had has the style with the long tube that has a bunch of small bolts that hold it to the tank. The sock filter in the wagon tank was a little clogged with junk, and I can hear junk rattling around in there when I shake it now that it is out of the car. I certainly think that probably was part of my stalling/hesitation problems. I'm not looking forward to disassembling another car to get to the tank (heck, I'll have to check if I even have a compatible one)...maybe I should just have the existing one cleaned/sealed and have the damaged drain plug section cut out and a plate welded in there?

Maybe have the sender hole section from the existing tank welded into the good extra one

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:05 pm

OK, it seems to be a model year issue. The '74 parts 2dr. has the correct tank, while the '73 2dr. has the earlier style tank.

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 11:01 pm

Well, son of a...The parts car gas tank looks to have had the same problem at some time-the drain plug fitting must have detached from the tank itself. It appears to have been fixed by putting some screws with sealing washers through from the outside to hold the fitting tight. Now I've got some decisions to make...

MGVWfan · Post by **MGVWfan** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:17 am

Argh!!

BTW, I figured out a cheap fix for the 17mm vent hose issue. Getting 17mm hose to bend twice to go through the grommet in the trunk floor (the shelf area) usually kinks the hose so it won't flow. I was getting frustrated, when I saw an old water heater gas supply brass flex line I'd been saving because I couldn't bear to throw it out...

...I hacksawed a section out, smoothed the ends, and used it to "turn the corner" in the middle of the vent hose run, using 17mm (well, SAE30R7 5/8" fuel line, actually) on each end. No more problem! I don't know what size it is, but it's the standard water heater supply line size. Take the old hose and find a flex hose that just fits it. The tank end requires some ingenuity on clamp selection, due to the tight quarters. I had to use two small (5/16" size) worm gear band clamps fitted together, with the two adjusters positioned to clear the tank projections and allow one to be tightened. You'll see what I mean when you get in there to try it out.