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Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:10 pm

Last fall I repaired a leaky gas tank, in doing so I broke something else! Go figure! When I was taking apart the expansion tank in the passenger side wheel well I broke the connection off the top of the small expansion tank. I've look for a replacement part at salvage yards with no luck.

Can I simply remove the expansion tank on the passenger side? There is another tank on the drivers side. If I understand it, the tanks collect the gas fumes and puts it back in the gas tank.

Its for an 81 Vanagon.

Thanks!

Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:16 pm

I think that you can fix it with some plastic nipples etc ...for vacuum lines and some glue?
Maybe a brass fitting would work also?

Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:22 pm

Disregard. I was referring to the nipple at the bottom. :oops:

Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:03 pm

I have NOT tried this yet but was told by a usually reliable source that many plastic tanks can be welded using a soldering iron and narrow strips of plastic cut from a milk bottle.

I will try it whenever the need arises -- anyone else heard of this?

Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:08 pm

necessity (and lack of funds) is the mother of.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuA6d49Z7Rc

hot air is the typical way to weld plastic. there are several guns. even Harbor Freight now sells plastic welding tools.

Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:13 pm

Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:16 pm

ZimZam wrote: Isn't that a somewhat dangerous method of repair?

1 - I think you would want to take any fuel out first.

2 - I like the idea of fixing it with the orig plastic as opposed to some rubber bushing that ma or may not be gas tolerant.

Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:18 pm

rickybaker-I broke off a nipple on the pass. side and got a replacement tank in short order from TKay.

You are looking for the piece from the top. I will check to see if I can find the tank, and if I can will send the top piece to you for shipping cost only.

I may have left it outside though, and there is a huge am't of snow here still. Maybe not to sure if it is wise to build up your hopes without checking, but will check today and tomorrow if you are interested.

Barnaby

Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:19 pm

rickybaker wrote: When I was taking apart the expansion tank in the passenger side wheel well I broke the connection off the top of the small expansion tank. I've look for a replacement part at salvage yards with no luck.

Its for an 81 Vanagon.

Thanks!

This part?

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1014_293/roll_over_float_valve.html

Pricey! (IMO ;) )

Neil.

Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:31 pm

rickybaker wrote:

Can I simply remove the expansion tank on the passenger side? There is another tank on the drivers side. If I understand it, the tanks collect the gas fumes and puts it back in the gas tank.

Its for an 81 Vanagon.

Thanks!

I know a Vanagon owner who has removed both tanks and plugged the lines going from them to the fuel tank. They say they have driven like this for thousands of miles with no noticeable effects. I can't recommend it myself, but they don't seem to have had any troubles.

Ed

Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:42 pm

Not good news-Found the tank outside under a foot of snow. No top connector. Looked in all junk boxes-found connecter, but nipple extension has broken off to the base round part. I think I must have yanked it out in anger after having broken the other nipple by not sliting the hose lengthwise.

The body is in good shape, the washer as well. But it probably is in the same condition overall as yours is. Sorry about that.

Barnaby

Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:49 pm

erdonline wrote: rickybaker wrote:

Can I simply remove the expansion tank on the passenger side? There is another tank on the drivers side. If I understand it, the tanks collect the gas fumes and puts it back in the gas tank.

Its for an 81 Vanagon.

Thanks!

I know a Vanagon owner who has removed both tanks and plugged the lines going from them to the fuel tank. They say they have driven like this for thousands of miles with no noticeable effects. I can't recommend it myself, but they don't seem to have had any troubles.

Ed

Wasn't there a thread about a gas tank that had collasped from a vacuum created by a
kinked line to one of the ET's not to long ago? There must be a reason why we all
keep them, well most all do.

Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:54 pm

Check theSamba classifieds . PM Sleepy'Joe in Kelseyville- he has everything

Mon Feb 21, 2011 10:59 pm

I have a spare set of expansion tanks if needed. Just PM me.