fuel tank removal

[John B]

Hi again as you know I'm doing a bit of waxoyl on the T2 tomorrow and was going to remove the tank so I can get to the floor pan under the boot. Is it a pig of a job ? any tips or am I just making work for myself ? Cheers again

 

[rustic]

Caution :-
If you look at the front seam of the tank, it should be as thick as the side seams... But if the seam is rusted ie expanded, then when you release the 6 bolts holding the tank up, then you could start a leak from the seam that will render the tank U/S.
If the seam is ok then you need to lift bit of carpet in boot to expose the inspection cover plate, remove this to allow you to get to connector and two fuel lines.
Remove plastic cover under offside rear wheel arch to get to filler pipe, release this.
If tank is empty, it can be lowered on a trolley jack, or if you have plenty of tummy, lower it down.
Not a big job, but bolts can shear. You will have rust around the outside of the filler pipe too, and you might need replacement jubilee clips.
Good luck

 

[John B]

Thanks rustic the jeep is only a 05 so might I be ok with the rusty tank ?

 

[rustic]

Mine leaked at 18 years old, I rejected half a dozen second hand tanks as they were well rusted too. Price for new tank over £400
I managed to get a good second hand one for around £30 After a tour from Cannock to Southport lol
I de rusted the front seam on the new tank, and even applied. Chemical metal all around just in case. Rear and side seams were ok

 

[John B]

Oh shit ok cheers mate when you say seam is that where the top and bottom parts of the tank are welded together ? :thumb2

 

[jims-terrano]

Careful John B I recently px'd an 05 plate truck that had plenty of rot. Opinion on here seems to be that the newer trucks aren't half as good as the older ones.

Good luck with the tank removal though.

 

[rustic]

Oh shit ok cheers mate when you say seam is that where the top and bottom parts of the tank are welded together ? :thumb2

Yes that's it.
There is also a steel reinforcing bar under the three front bolts. Supporting the tank.
Anyhow you did ask what the problems were lol
Might be OK ... Your call :augie
In all fairness, mine looked ok under there, but as Jim says, earlier trucks are better.
Have a look with a torch and a mirror, or a small web camera

 

[John B]

Thanks again rustic what year was the one you had problems with ?? :thumb2

 

[rustic]

Thanks again rustic what year was the one you had problems with ?? :thumb2

Mine is a 1995 Mav and lasted 18 years the replacement was from a vehicle much younger, but some of the bad ones were from 2000+ models.

Personally, I think the tanks are the same across the years, and their life is probably proportional to how many salty roads have been driven on...

Swb is a different sized tank to the Lwb.
Rustic

 

[AlexD333]

Get a body lift and remove bumpers, plenty of room without removing the tank :naughty

 

[John B]

Lol loves it :lol