Date: Wed, 25 Jun 1997 14:33:20 -0400
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Ken Wyatt <whyknot@compuserve.com>
Subject: 80 - 83? GAS TANK REPAIRS [longish
Stephen White wrote<spw@users.anet-stl.com>
My gas tank has a 1/4" by 1/8" hole under where the heater tube runs. It=
seems to be in good shape otherwise.
My _plan_ is to fiberglass the outside of the hole for structural rigidit=
y
and then to slosh the inside of the tank with sealer to keep the gasoline=
from eating through my patch. Is this a feasable plan?
If not, What can i expect to pay for a rust-free used tank, or even
better, what can i expect to pay a professional welder to fix my little
hole?
--------------------------------
Hi Vanagoners,
In response to the above gas tank query I had a similar problem when I
bought my 82 westy. I had major rust in the same spot which is common. =
I
first went to a radiator shop to see about repair. They could do it but
said no guarantee, it could last 30 days or a year. =
I ended up searching the junkyards for a replacement here in Salt Lake
City, Ut. I found a few. The cheapest was 60 bucks but were bent and
crushed or had holes. The last one I found was from the rip off place he=
re
called Allsmall. They have lots of Vanagons and buses but charge about 1=
/2
of new cost. I ended up paying out the nose/butt ($225) for the Allsmal=
l
used one. AVOID THAT PLACE EXCEPT LAST RESORT.
It has worked for 3 years. I posted a while back that I have gone throug=
h
three fuel filters in the past 6 months. Last month I pulled the tank to=
inspect and repair. I did not see any rust inside. Cutting open the use=
d
filter showed lots of rust. On the Vanagon tank there is a lower section=
of the tank where fuel is sucked from. It is sealed from the rest of the
tank except for a very small hole. Water and gunk also settle here. It=
is very inaccessible. Taking it to a repair shop did not help. They
could not figure out how to clean and seal the lower section. Also there=
is a plastic hose inside the tank which could be broken or eroded with
acid. I am fearful of adding the tank sealer as there are a lot of small=
vent tubes on these tanks which could get plugged. ANYONE DONE THIS WITH=
SUCCESS??
I am still at odds on how to remedy this. ANY SUGGESTIONS WELCOME. Whil=
e
the tank is out I decided to check and replace all rubber fuel lines and
rubber seals. Been doing that for a month now as I keep having to order
seasl and gaskets from VW and wait. =
The vapor expansion tanks in the wheel wells had very bad seals. One ha=
d
no seal at all as the fuel vapors had eaten the rubber gasket turning it =
to
silly putty. Dirt griome and water was entering the system this way. =
CHECK THOSE EXPANSION TANK SEALS!!!!! Vapors eat them for dinner. I am
currently waiting for these seals which were $7.50 each from VW. (yikes)
Also I could not find the big fuel line (7/16 or 1/2 inch) which connect=
s
to the filler tube. I spent most of last saturday searching everywhere f=
or
this line. VW was the only place in town with this hose. When they sa=
id
is was $10.14 per foot ( not 1.014 but 10.14) all I could do was burst o=
ut
laughing. SO I BENT OVER AND BOUGHT 2 feet. 20 bucks for 2 feet of fuel=
line, sheesh!!!!! Anyway I will have all new lines and seals so I will b=
e
set for another 10 - 15 years.
I took the gas tank to a high pressure car wash and shot the little high
pressure squirter into the tiny little hole to the lower section of the g=
as
tank. I just kept squirting and chunks of rust kept coming out. I guess =
I
will reinstall it and change filters 6 times a year if needed, (not the
best option). Also you know when the filter is plugging as you hear that=
whine of the pump as it struggles to pump throught the clogged filter. =
This was mentioned a day or two ago by a listee who thought his pump was
going out. CHECK THAT FILTER FIRST, $5 versus $140 - 300.
In the meantime I will look for a another tank.. Hopefully I have remov=
ed
most of the flakable rust at the car wash. ANYONE KNOW WHERE TO GET ONE =
OF
THOSE BIG GLASS FUEL FILTERS WITH REMOVEABLE ELEMENTS or A HIGHER CAPACI=
TY
FILTER??
One other option the gas tank repair guy suggested was to clamp and weld
off the old fuel out line and install a new one above the lower section s=
o
it wopuld not suck up the rust. I do not like this idea as then water
would collect in there and never be removed causing more rust. =
Sorry this has been so long and rambleous but it has consumed my life the=
last month and continues. That about all I know. If anyone made it thi=
s
far and has suggestion on a better fix, I would love to hear about it.
Have a great day.
Ken Wyatt
82 westy
kokopelli@sprintmail.com
