Dropping the Gas Tank - what else to do while its out?

Thebeas

It hasn't quite been a year since buying a westy but I've learned more since Feb about autos than I ever thought I'd need to know.

Trying to line up my winter projects....

I need to reseal my tank. The smell of gas is over whelming I open the kitchen door to the garage. From everything I've read thats likely the issue.

What other projects should I tackle while its down? I got a 1.9L 1983.5...just assume everything needs to be redone. Bostig conversion in a few years.

Stainless Steel Coolant pipes? New Radiator?

Anything else I'm missing?

I know its kind of a generic question...but thanks for any input.
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1983 2WD 1.9 Digijet

bluebus86 · Banned Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075

if the tank is out, inspect the inside for dirt and rust. inspect the fuel level sender for wear. use lined hoses (SAE30R9 or better) for all hoses even the vent hoses for best life. 1/4 inch hose will work for the vents if you use hose clamps. use of lined hose will go a long way to prevent re-occurrence of leaks, as todays government mandated fuels (thank you corn farmer lobby) can destroy unlined hoses.

not only is the new fuel destructive to rubber parts, it can also cause corrosion in metals, it costs more, delivers worse MPG, and actually pollutes more than petroleum fuel when one takes into account the pollution released during production of the alcohol. it takes a lot of energy to fuel a still boiler!!!! the switch iof crop land from food to fuel also has increased food prices.

this fuel was mandated to save us from global warming (CO2) but this is a fraud, and even so the new fuel actually releases more CO2 when one considers the production of the fuel verses regular petroleum gasoline.

the only winners are al gore, the politicians bought off by corn farmers, and the farmers themselves.
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Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

Merian · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2015 12:00 pm Post subject:

new gasket for fuel level sender

repl. all emissions stuff - hoses, valves, seals incl fuel filler seal

good time to repl. coolant tubes with SS if you can afford

Vanagon Nut · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2015 12:46 pm Post subject:

on my '81 when I did the tank job, I rerouted
the fuel level ground to an easier access spot
for future cleaning.

Neil.
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

dhaavers · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2015 5:36 pm Post subject:

^^^ Wise.

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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

sloppyjoe · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2015 6:17 pm Post subject:

Inspect the charcoal canister "T" fuel line for cracks and snug fitting lines. Hell. Replace said lines! Does your fuel cap gasket leave chalk (black) on your fingers when you put the cap on? Make a new one out of rubber stock. Test the "heat to the back" linkage and grease (or disable if you can live without it).
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65 Kombi
82 Westy

SCM · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2015 9:45 pm Post subject:

Beware the tendency of the snowball to outrun your wallet.

If you're pulling your gas tank, spend the $200 to buy a new one and the extra $ to replace everything that attaches to it, including new fuel lines to your engine. You could stop right there if your only issue is leaking gas.

BUT if you want to swap your plastic coolant lines for SS this is a great time to do that. If you're going that route you may as well replace the rest of your coolant system because the mess of draining and bleeding coolant is really the biggest bitch of that whole job (IMO). You don't need to drop the gas tank to swap radiators although you may want a helper to install the new radiator if you decide to do so.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

Thebeas · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2015 6:22 am Post subject:

thanks for the input...Buy a new tank is on the radar for sure so I guess I might as well.

I had planned on the Bostig conversion shortly after buying the Westy, but its been running so damn lately (knocks on wood) that I'd rather start piecing together everything else.
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1983 2WD 1.9 Digijet

whafalia · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2015 7:22 am Post subject:

Upgrade the battery cable,
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1360_458/positive-battery-cable.html
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84 westie 2.2 w/ digijet, AT

Merian · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2015 11:41 am Post subject:

do you need to pull the gas tank to replace the cable?

whafalia · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 6:59 am Post subject:

I tried and came close but ended up dropping the tank. Perhaps if I had not removed the original cable first and had used it to snake the new one through. But then you would have to enlarge the hole in the crossmember with the original cable in place. The new cable is so much thicker, starter spins better and I believe my headlights are brighter.
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84 westie 2.2 w/ digijet, AT

markz2004 · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 10:04 am Post subject:

Merian · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 4:50 pm Post subject:

thx - sounds like the battery cable is cheap & easier to do with the tank out

what else is up under the gas tank? anybody got a photo?


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