Date:         Mon, 15 Jun 2015 09:27:37 -0400
Reply-To:     Stuart Fedak <ve3smf@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart Fedak <ve3smf@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Look what came out of the fuel tank
In-Reply-To:  <557E3C3D.6000807@ucsb.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Looking at the piece that came out of the tank, it was spot welded, and for some reason, the spot welds have failed.  It has also been bouncing around inside the tank.  So you have a few locations inside the tank where the spot welds have broken, and a large object has been bouncing around inside.  What you can not see is what damage has been done inside the tank.

Given the cost both financial and time to remove the old gas tank, it would seem prudent to install something new to replace the tank.  Yes, there is the old argument that new does not always mean better, but in this case, what you have is documented to have failed on several spot welds already.  So.....  I would just replace the entire gas tank....

Just my 5 cents worth ( we no longer use 1 cent coins in Canada)....

Cheers!
Stuart

Sent from my electronic umbilicus

> On Jun 14, 2015, at 10:45 PM, John Goubeaux <john@UCSB.EDU> wrote:
> 
> Thanks, Yes that's sound reasoning, eg if pieces are coming loose on the
> inside it might be a sign of more to come ?
> 
> I do usually error on the side of just replacing with a new part,
> however I'm always keenly aware that what i might get for a new part
> *could be worse than the original factory piece.
> 
> Not sure when it comes to the after market fuel tanks what to avoid
> though. Looks like several people have used this one:
> http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1178_1457/fuel-gas-tank.html
> 
> -john
> 
>> On 6/14/2015 7:27 PM, mcneely4@cox.net wrote:
>> I am not a wonk, and I have replaced only one tank (actually had it replaced, but Darrell Cook who did my Vanagon work in Oklahoma used my assistance from time to time, and reflected it in his low prices (but excellent work)..  I do see some rust on that piece, not a bunch.  But it had to come loose for a reason.  I would not want a fuel tank that is falling apart inside on my vehicle.  Just my thoughts.  mcneely
>> 
>> ---- John Goubeaux <john@UCSB.EDU> wrote:
>>> I dropped my fuel tank to do the re-seal procedure, and while the tank
>>> seems like it IS in good condition, NO rust or flaking on the outside
>>> nor inside, NOR does the tank appear to leak, other than the classic
>>> drip when topped off.
>>> 
>>> I did hear something rattling around inside however. I ended up removing

>>> what looks like a piece that might have been part of a baffling system
>>> that came free ?  I'm not sure but it does NOT appear to be critical.
>>> 
>>> So my question to all you wonks, that have seen and replaced many a Fuel

>>> Tank, given what I've said about the tank's condition: Is this loose
>>> piece that came out good enough reason to replace the tank altogether ?
>>> 
>>> Here are a couple of pictures, of the tank and the piece that came out.:

>>> 
>>> http://medusa.education.ucsb.edu/~john/vanagon/
>>> <http://medusa.education.ucsb.edu/%7Ejohn/vanagon/vanagon-fuel-tank.jpg>

>>> 
>>> Thanks for any advice.
>>> 
>>> -john
>> --
>> David McNeely
>> 
>>