removing fuel tank

[DaveO]

OK then.
I'm replacing my fuel tank this weekend.
Any tips or tricks or traps anyone can share with me?

DaveO

[Supplanter]

Don't smoke on the job.

[spetz]

Don't play with matches.

Make sure it's empty.
Make sure you cringe the fuel lines
Read up on a how to

[DaveO]

what how to?
I've looked

[tarkus]

Don't smoke on the job.

she will get pissed off if you get ash on her back.

[Taz]

Its not hard, I managed to do it on the ground without a creeper with my nose barely tpuching the car at times so if you jack it up high itll be even easier. Its a few bolts from memory - piss easy

[DaveO]

Thanks TAZ.
There's what looks like a breather on top of the tank. any idea where thats connected to?

[Taz]

Hey DaveO,
Rather than trying to explain it i went downstairs and took a few snaps

This is how it looks when its out - it was MUCH easier to take the clamps off from the filler neck (as you can see on the top left on third pic)

20130322_141754.jpg (169.73 KiB) Viewed 712 times

This is the two bolt locations that will be closer to the front of the car. Cant remember if they bolted into the floor or were bolted to a bracket that held them in - im thinking bracket. Either way, they stare you in the face when you get under - cant miss em

20130322_141811.jpg (210.88 KiB) Viewed 712 times

Few points of interest in this one - Circled the two rear bolt locations, and the breather thing as well. Looking at the fitment it seems as though it would just slip off. Better pic of the hoses i left on as well. Rather than try somehow get between the car and tank blind with those sh*tty spring clamps i just took em from the filler neck, as im assuming they were right there and readily accessible.

20130322_141827.jpg (153.38 KiB) Viewed 712 times

I would say the order in which to do it is disconnect and take the fuel pump out from under the back seat, then take the two clamps off the filler neck hoses and breather hole, then drop the tank down. Again, i would of done it while the car was barely above stock height still on its rear wheels so it should be much easier if you have more room to work with.

Hope this helps!

EDIT:
I would actually disconnect the breather hose last actually, as by the way it looks it will be hard when still bolted in - and would be so much easier when its dropped down a bit.
GL mate, hope it goes well

[DaveO]

Thats exellent Tas. thanks so much.

[Shane001]

I would say the order in which to do it is disconnect and take the fuel pump out from under the back seat,

Wrong

Leave the fuel pump where it is, and the fuel hoses connected to it.

instead, disconnect the fuel lines underneath the car, front right bottom corner of fuel tank, then yes disconnect the filler neck, then just undo the 4 bolts holding it in and drop the whole thing to the ground.

Good luck trying to undo the fuel hose connected at the top of the tank to the fuel pump assembly

Oh and it is actually in one of the manuals, which does tell you to do it this way. I've done it both ways, trust me, this way involves a lot less swearing

[silverGPX]

So how do u get the fuel pump out?

I've tried but i just cant get it without bending the hose.

Oh wait.

Stillsons

[Shane001]

U first undo the fuel line where I said, you can then undo it up top because the hose can actually turn.

If you're taking the tank out though, much easier to remove the pump once the tank is out.

[silverGPX]

U first undo the fuel line where I said, you can then undo it up top because the hose can actually turn.

If you're taking the tank out though, much easier to remove the pump once the tank is out.

kay sweet thanks for that, am upgrading fuel pump soon so thats a good help

[dstocks]

U first undo the fuel line where I said, you can then undo it up top because the hose can actually turn.

If you're taking the tank out though, much easier to remove the pump once the tank is out.

This^^

Have done it like this a few times myself

[Taz]

So i did it the hard way? not surprised though

[DaveO]

Job done
what i ended up doing is to leave all the fuel lines in place, undo the pump from the tank. Then lower the tank and remove the pump and let it sit there under the car.
The most important thing to look out for is the power cable to the pump. It is clipped to the top of the tank and has to be re clipped in place before you bolt up the tank or it can get caught between the flange of the tank and the body.