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BlueNorthWesty Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2014 Posts: 348 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:00 pm Post subject: Replacement Fuel Tanks- Experiences? Opinions? |
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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 |
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physast Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2005 Posts: 675 Location: DC
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:27 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15129 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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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” |
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wecm31 Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2012 Posts: 358 Location: Eganville, Ontario
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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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.
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 _________________ 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:) |
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specialev Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2011 Posts: 281 Location: Mukilteo WA
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 12:45 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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Gruppe B Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2007 Posts: 1331
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 1:09 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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vegpedlr Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2014 Posts: 774 Location: TBD
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 2:02 am Post subject: |
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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? |
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Gruppe B Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2007 Posts: 1331
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BlueNorthWesty Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2014 Posts: 348 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 1:25 pm Post subject: |
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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= |
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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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BlueNorthWesty Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2014 Posts: 348 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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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= |
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yardbug Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2008 Posts: 156 Location: Raymore, MO
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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Mellow Yellow 74 Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2014 Posts: 1615 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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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) |
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gbrandt Samba Member
Joined: April 04, 2006 Posts: 578 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 11:17 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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BlueNorthWesty Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2014 Posts: 348 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 7:27 am Post subject: |
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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= |
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BlueNorthWesty Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2014 Posts: 348 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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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.
_________________ 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= |
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Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 3995 Location: Maine
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Durk Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2010 Posts: 14 Location: Kalispell, Montana
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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 7:01 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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Gruppe B Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2007 Posts: 1331
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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 7:44 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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KevinsKamper Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2014 Posts: 72 Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 7:54 am Post subject: |
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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 |
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