1970 Bus gas tank repair/replacement.

addison5429 · Samba Member Joined: March 03, 2009 Posts: 43 Location: WV

Well more problems with "Lola" today. I have been having issues with the electrical system and so I jump started the bus and drove of to get some gas so I could drive it around for awhile to charge up the batteries. Well I pull in and pump in $20 worth of ultra premium gas into the tank. I finish pumping, replace the nozzle and look down to see I'm standing in a puddle of gas and gas gushing out of the bus. after about 20 minuets it finally stops and we get the gas on the ground all cleaned up. well we get the bus back home and it appears to be leaking above the passenger rear shock. I've been looking online and I can't seam to find a replacement tank. I haven't had a chance to get a really close look at the damage to the tank so I'm not sure how bad it is.

So my questions are:
1) Does anyone know where to find a 1970 bus gas tank
2) If its not a major puncture can I patch it with a piece of metal and JB weld for the time being?
3) If these are not options or available what can I do?
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5782joe · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 12:06 am Post subject:

The exact same thing happened to me this week. I've got a 71 and cant find a new or reconditioned tank anyplace. I'm wondering the same things addison5429 is.

I would much rather replace with a new or reconditioned tank than reconditioned it myself. Replacement would be far better.

Also I saw that someone had a complete fuel tank seal kit for sale. I cant seem to find it now. Any clues?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP US!!

Micropassatman · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 1:45 am Post subject:

Check your fill-hose and vent lines. I doubt the tank itself is damaged.

drober23 · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:27 am Post subject:

+1 for your tank probably being fine.

The rubber elbow at the fuel inlet in the side of the bus is a common culprit for the puddle you are describing. Also, There is at least one rubber tube in the system that gets the fuel to the tank. That is the other common culprit.

Here are a couple links to get you started.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=288112&highlight=fuel+neck

http://www.ratwell.com/technical/FuelTankRestoration.html
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addison5429 · Samba Member Joined: March 03, 2009 Posts: 43 Location: WV

Well I climbed under her today and the tank has about a 1" gash right above the passenger shock bolt here are some pics:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Screen Shot 2012-03-11 at 11.24.53 PM 2 by addison5429, on Flickr

Screen Shot 2012-03-11 at 11.21.00 PM 2 by addison5429, on Flickr

Anyone know how I can fix this?
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Micropassatman · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:25 pm Post subject:

The operative question here would be, how did it happen and how do you prevent it from happening again - even if you DO repair it.

aeromech · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:28 am Post subject:

I'd like to know how that gash happened too.

I have a spare tank from a 1970 in my shed. It would have to be hot tanked and internally sealed. Your best bet would be to remove the engine, remove the tank, and then have the damage welded being sure not to kill yourself. When you go back togther replace and old rubber lines.

PS- there are no "new" tanks available
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addison5429 · Samba Member Joined: March 03, 2009 Posts: 43 Location: WV

Thank you all for the info. I believe it happened when I was trying to remove the rear shock. That shock bolt is welded to a plate and when I put the torque wrench on it it shaped that plate. I think the plate spun around and cut into the tank.

@aeromech PM Sent.
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addison5429 · Samba Member Joined: March 03, 2009 Posts: 43 Location: WV

It got worse.... I patched the hole above the shock but now its coming out around the firewall. I'm thinking it may be the hose but I'm not sure where its located. I don't see it from under the bus. Is it behind the firewall panel?

Here are pictures of the leak now:

left (Drivers Side) by addison5429, on Flickr

left (Drivers Side) 2 by addison5429, on Flickr

left (Drivers Side) engine compartment by addison5429, on Flickr

Right(passenger Side) engine compartment by addison5429, on Flickr
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420GOAT · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:31 pm Post subject:

ive jb welded tanks before.
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addison5429 · Samba Member Joined: March 03, 2009 Posts: 43 Location: WV

Yea I used jb waterweld which says on the box that it works to patch fuel tanks. So I did that and now it's not leaking through the hole I patched. Now it's leaking all around the firewall.

-sent from Iphone
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VDubTech · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:49 pm Post subject:

Since I don't think any of us can see through your firewall, seems to be the next logical step would be to pull it and find out where the leak is coming from.
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aeromech · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:50 pm Post subject:

Time to quit screwing around. Drain all the fuel by removing the bottom finger strainer. Pull the engine and the firewall. Remove the tank and get it repaired. Replace the rubber fill hose and the vent hoses. Then go back together. There's just no other way around this.
_________________
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (2 ea.) 1978
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

Vince Waldon · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 2:02 pm Post subject:

...and the amount of energy in that many gallons of gas sitting on top of a bunch of magnesium is truly impressive/dangerous/deadly. Crying or Very sad

sgn2bapt · Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 3:28 pm Post subject:

http://www.busdepot.com/245201075d

A very expensive replacement.
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aeromech · Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 4:13 pm Post subject:

mines for sale at a dollar less than BD
_________________
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (2 ea.) 1978
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

WrongWayRandall · Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:42 am Post subject:

Do a search for gas tank repair - there is one near me that offers a nationwide warranty. They will repair leaks, rust, dents, etc., fully clean and de-gunk the tank, coat the tank in a rust preventative coating, and slap a warranty on it for a few hundred dollars. I'm planning on having mine treated like this the next time I have the engine out, just so that I know that it's in good shape...

- Randy
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1975 Westfalia (Campmobile w/Popup option [not deluxe])

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