Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Replacement Fuel Tanks- Experiences? Opinions?
Page: 1, 2, 3  Next
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
BlueNorthWesty
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2014
Posts: 348
Location: Calgary
BlueNorthWesty is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:00 pm    Post subject: Replacement Fuel Tanks- Experiences? Opinions? Reply with quote

I haven't seen anything here comparing the different fuel tanks available for the Vanagon recently. There is an archived thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/archive/index.php/o-t--t-610105--.html

But since I need to replace my tank I thought I'd resurrect the topic.

I've done some searching online and of the tanks currently available for the 2WD Vanagon there don't seem to be many differences; the manufacturers/suppliers provide few details.

Here are the ones I've seen so far:
Spectra Premium, models VW3A, VW3B, VW3C (VW3C has 12mm fuel line) $135 - 160, 3 year warranty, made in Canada
Shepard Auto $90,
Evan-Fischer Galvanized $100, 1 year warranty
Diften $115, 1 year warranty
GoWesty $240 (stamping looks identical to the Diften and Van Cafe),
Platinum Pro FTK010234, $115, 3 year warranty
Van Cafe $175, same stamp as GoWesty and Diften
Bus Depot $160, black, Van Wezel from Belgium
KDC FTK010234, $151, also same stamp as GoWesty, Diften, etc.

Has anyone used any of these tanks, or others that I haven't listed? If so, what was your impression of the build quality, metal thickness, paint/ corrosion resistance, fit, etc. Any idea where any of them are made?

It would be great to gather up some info for others to make an informed choice.

Anyone want to post experiences with the tank for the Syncro?
_________________
1984 Medium Blue Vanagon Westfalia 2WD w/ rebuilt Auto, Peloquin differential, 3.27 R&P gears, 2002 Subaru 2.5L engine, Girling G60 front brake upgrade, PS, power mirrors

Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=610481&highlight=


Last edited by BlueNorthWesty on Thu Jan 08, 2015 2:49 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
physast
Samba Member


Joined: December 30, 2005
Posts: 675
Location: DC
physast is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just replaced my tank, fuel lines and tank fittings. I used the van-cafe tank and have no issues as of yet.

I did not use any sealant on any of the fittings just some grease to help get the rubber fittings on.

Here is my thread about the experience.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=611445
_________________
1967 L633 VW beetle (currently being restored...slowly)
1991 Orly Blue Vanaru 2.5L
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
danfromsyr
Samba Member


Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15129
Location: Syracuse, NY
danfromsyr is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a cheap (below $100) tank and it'll start to cavitate at 1/4 tank on turns/curves..
but my last tank was sucking in crud/rust so this is still an improvement albeit an annoyance. pay a littel more for a good/trusted tank you're going tohave to live with it for quite a while. whats $50more over 10+years of service? peace of mind.
_________________
Abscate wrote:
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker”
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
wecm31
Samba Member


Joined: August 05, 2012
Posts: 358
Location: Eganville, Ontario
wecm31 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 10:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Physast's link is a good one..

Just to gang up on one of his tips, before mounting the new tank,
leak test it. Compressed air is cleaner than my punkass effort..
I filled it 2/3 full with gas and then put it up on its side to check for
leaks, especially around the sensor flange. You don't want to drop it
again to reseal. Shocked

And when you mount the new tank, when trying to get the support straps
back on, make sure the tank is fully forward. If not, you won't get the straps
to fit....DAMHIKT Embarassed
_________________
Gerald P
1985 Vanagon (Betty) & 1985 BMW R80RT (Wilhelm)
vintage boxers!!

Gone are the days we stopped to decide
Where we should go, we just ride:)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
specialev
Samba Member


Joined: March 25, 2011
Posts: 281
Location: Mukilteo WA
specialev is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 12:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

danfromsyr wrote:
I have a cheap (below $100) tank and it'll start to cavitate at 1/4 tank on turns/curves..
but my last tank was sucking in crud/rust so this is still an improvement albeit an annoyance. pay a littel more for a good/trusted tank you're going tohave to live with it for quite a while. whats $50more over 10+years of service? peace of mind.


What's making your pump cavitate? Is the cheapo tank not fully baffled like the oem?

This thread interests me as I've been contemplating buying a cheapo tank rather than refit the old one to my doka.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Gruppe B
Samba Member


Joined: January 16, 2007
Posts: 1331

Gruppe B is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 1:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Isn't there also the issue of some tanks having a 7mm outlet while others having a 11mm outlet?

IIRC The 7mm outlet tank was blamed for fuel starvation and louder fuel pump noise.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vegpedlr
Samba Member


Joined: June 07, 2014
Posts: 774
Location: TBD
vegpedlr is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 2:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gruppe B wrote:

IIRC The 7mm outlet tank was blamed for fuel starvation and louder fuel pump noise.

Is it the tank outlet, or the plastic fuel filter? Or both?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Gruppe B
Samba Member


Joined: January 16, 2007
Posts: 1331

Gruppe B is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=610105&highlight=fuel+tank
Here is a thread that mentions the larger fuel outlet (12mm) sold by Vancafe
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
BlueNorthWesty
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2014
Posts: 348
Location: Calgary
BlueNorthWesty is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Spectra Premium tank is made in Canada and we have a supplier here in Calgary, I called them to get more info.

The manufacturing process involves using Terne steel which is a 50/50 tin/zinc alloy bonded to the steel sheets providing protection in and outside the tank. This allows the internal piping to be soldered without damaging the corrosion protection. These tanks do not need to be painted prior to install.

The interior tubing is Terne coated steel unlike the original which used plastic fittings and hose.

If you want to see the manufacturing process they have a youtube video, it's pretty cool:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tM9241DNW0



I've ordered the '86 version (part no. VW3C) for my '84 since it has the 12 mm outlet instead of the 7 mm one. I'm changing my fuel lines and filter at the same time so it will be compatible. I'll repost when I get the tank.

Mark
_________________
1984 Medium Blue Vanagon Westfalia 2WD w/ rebuilt Auto, Peloquin differential, 3.27 R&P gears, 2002 Subaru 2.5L engine, Girling G60 front brake upgrade, PS, power mirrors

Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=610481&highlight=
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Jake de Villiers
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2007
Posts: 5911
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
Jake de Villiers is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 2:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

BlueNorthWesty wrote:
The Spectra Premium tank is made in Canada and we have a supplier here in Calgary, I called them to get more info.

The manufacturing process involves using Terne steel which is a 50/50 tin/zinc alloy bonded to the steel sheets providing protection in and outside the tank. This allows the internal piping to be soldered without damaging the corrosion protection. These tanks do not need to be painted prior to install.

The interior tubing is Terne coated steel unlike the original which used plastic fittings and hose.

If you want to see the manufacturing process they have a youtube video, it's pretty cool:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tM9241DNW0

I've ordered the '86 version (part no. VW3C) for my '84 since it has the 12 mm outlet instead of the 7 mm one. I'm changing my fuel lines and filter at the same time so it will be compatible. I'll repost when I get the tank.

Mark


Hey Mark, cool video. Where are you getting your tank from?
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
BlueNorthWesty
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2014
Posts: 348
Location: Calgary
BlueNorthWesty is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 3:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jake de Villiers wrote:
Hey Mark, cool video. Where are you getting your tank from?


I ordered it through Rock Auto in the States. The crazy thing is that there is one in Burnaby BC but the cost to get it through a Canadian supplier is $70 more than going through RA and having them ship it up from the US.
_________________
1984 Medium Blue Vanagon Westfalia 2WD w/ rebuilt Auto, Peloquin differential, 3.27 R&P gears, 2002 Subaru 2.5L engine, Girling G60 front brake upgrade, PS, power mirrors

Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=610481&highlight=
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
yardbug
Samba Member


Joined: February 24, 2008
Posts: 156
Location: Raymore, MO
yardbug is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 3:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I ordered mine through rock auto and couldn't be happier.. it was a bit more snug than the original.. and as others have mentioned, make sure the sender flange is square.
_________________
'69 Tintop T2 - '86 Syncro - '87 Westy - '02 337 GTI - '99 4Runner - '13 4Runner
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Mellow Yellow 74
Samba Member


Joined: October 14, 2014
Posts: 1615
Location: Sydney, Australia
Mellow Yellow 74 is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 5:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

vwgpdlr wrote:
Is it the tank outlet, or the plastic fuel filter? Or both?


Mainly the plastic fuel filter but once you remove this you need a 7-12mm adapter so it is easier just to do it all 12mm. The larger nozzle and hose also helps reduce pump suction pressure loss so if you are going to replace the tank I would go with 12mm.
_________________
1962 Karmann Ghia
1974 Deluxe Microbus
1985 Caravelle (Vanagon)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
gbrandt
Samba Member


Joined: April 04, 2006
Posts: 578
Location: Calgary
gbrandt is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 11:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I put in a new Spectra in my Westy in 2010. I sprayed it with a bedliner first (covering the holes with tape!).

Just last month I had to drop the tank, fuel leak at the sender. The tank is still in perfect shape, no rust inside or out (that I could see inside).

Highly recommended
_________________
'Lucky' our 1987 Red Westy, ASV 1.9 TDI ~130HP, Peloquin differential (had a GW 2.3 that we loved, but it died, we drove it hard!)
We've driven in 49 countries and 5 continents to date
Canada to Argentina and back, 2015 to 2017.
Canada to Europe and back (including Turkey, Morocco and Iceland), 2017 to 2019
Mexico 2022-2023
https://www.instagram.com/live.travel.play/
http://livetravelplay.ca
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
BlueNorthWesty
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2014
Posts: 348
Location: Calgary
BlueNorthWesty is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 7:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

gbrandt wrote:
I put in a new Spectra in my Westy in 2010. I sprayed it with a bedliner first (covering the holes with tape!)


That's not a bad idea, however my experience with my old tank is that most of the corrosion happened on top of the tank. My didn't leak but it was rusty enough to warrant a new one.
_________________
1984 Medium Blue Vanagon Westfalia 2WD w/ rebuilt Auto, Peloquin differential, 3.27 R&P gears, 2002 Subaru 2.5L engine, Girling G60 front brake upgrade, PS, power mirrors

Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=610481&highlight=
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
BlueNorthWesty
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2014
Posts: 348
Location: Calgary
BlueNorthWesty is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 7:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My new Spectra tank arrived today from Rock Auto. It's a fine replacement for the original. I'm happy with how solidly it is built and the quality of the welds and finish. It has the same stamping as the tanks offered by GoWesty, Van Cafe and Diften.

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

_________________
1984 Medium Blue Vanagon Westfalia 2WD w/ rebuilt Auto, Peloquin differential, 3.27 R&P gears, 2002 Subaru 2.5L engine, Girling G60 front brake upgrade, PS, power mirrors

Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=610481&highlight=
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Timwhy
Samba Member


Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 3995
Location: Maine
Timwhy is online now 

PostPosted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 5:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My BD tank also got the primer, paint, bedliner, repeat, treatment all over before I installed it. My original
tank was pretty crusty and was leaking from the grommets but once I took it out it started having pieces
falling off it. Have had no issues with the new tank!

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

_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Durk
Samba Member


Joined: February 08, 2010
Posts: 14
Location: Kalispell, Montana
Durk is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 7:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just received a new VW3C Spectra Premium fuel tank. I paid $154 (free shipping) from Amazon. It looks good, the only problem so far was the usual install issues with a new fuel gauge sending unit (there are several threads on this on The Samba). I just wanted to let people know, though, that it was not made in Canada, but in Taiwan.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Gruppe B
Samba Member


Joined: January 16, 2007
Posts: 1331

Gruppe B is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 7:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just ordered and installed the tank from Van-Cafe and it appears to be the same. Great shipping and excellent service too!

To ensure that the fuel gauge is installed correctly, install it first without the o-ring to see how far it has to be turned and mark that limit of turning on the tank.

The resistance from the o-ring can make you think it is fully engaged but won't be.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KevinsKamper
Samba Member


Joined: November 17, 2014
Posts: 72
Location: Massachusetts
KevinsKamper is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 7:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's a great tip Gruppe b , I just received my VC tank and about to install the sending unit so great timing!...Thanks.
_________________
1990 Westfalia GL
1980 Toyota Sport Truck 4wd
1981 Toyota DLX 4wd
1983 Toyota SR5 4wd
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: 1, 2, 3  Next
Page 1 of 3

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.