Cannot seat fuel overflow tanks

[wpicotte]

I've resealed my 87 Vanagon gas tank and have replacement fuel overflow / vapor tanks, as well. I'm struggling mightily to seat the overflow tanks, especially on the passenger side.

The hard plastic line is running over the inside, angled corner and best I can tell, is not creating interference. However, after running the bolt though the forward slot, I cannot get adequate force on the tank to mate the rear side notch. I've tried from every angle and it just doesn't want to go.

I'm tempted to elongate the bolt slot slightly so that with a little flex, the bolt can thread through with the rear notch is already in place.

Is there a trick to these things that I'm missing?

[MarkWard]

They do fight. Clean the rectangular recess in the fender well, and use a liberal spray of silicone on the fender and the tank. That usually will let them fully seat.

[AlfromNH]

I recently struggled with this. I found by putting the tank over the bolt first, I was then able to jam it up into the “pocket” in the fender well.
Like everything else related to the tank reseal, it was way more trouble than it would be for someone with an actual lift…
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‘88 2wd Auto Westy project

[wpicotte]

[Wildthings]

Figure out a lever system to force the tank into position, and yes use some kind of lube like spray silicone or even dish soap.

[vanis13]

remembering from last time I did this job, I elongated the hole that takes the threaded stud and that helped a ton.
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83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make

[Timwhy]

Have seated these tanks a few times on my Vans. I used a block of wood and rubber mallet to pop them back in place.

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'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

[jlrftype7]

TO quote Alfrom NH
""""""I recently struggled with this. I found by putting the tank over the bolt first, I was then able to jam it up into the “pocket” in the fender well.
Like everything else related to the tank reseal, it was way more trouble than it would be for someone with an actual lift…"""""

I installed the Aluminum Tanks from Van Cafe. If you thought the old plastic tanks didn't flex much when reinstalling, try welded Alloy tanks...

And I WAS on a lift with the Vanagon. Anyway, it's not an easy job, but this technique ^^^^ was what worked for me as well.
I added White Lithium Grease on the backside of the tanks and the mating body since the tanks were metal.
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[wpicotte]

[wpicotte]

[wpicotte]

[Timwhy]

[wpicotte]

[bobbyblack]

Like others answering in this thread, I have had multiple difficulties getting my tanks reinserted into the dimple. I used a 5 foot piece of 2x4, and made a fulcrum on the tire or another piece of wood to create massive force. They did pop in, I am pretty sure at near breaking points. I'm glad there are replacement options.
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[SCM]

[jlrftype7]