Vw t25 1984 fuel tank problem

[Smosh]

Got my new tank finally in, it's a mission doing it on your own when u forgot how it came out!!!

[Smcknighty]

Doing it today I hope

[Smosh]

How'd you get on? I dropped mine on my face! I was lying under the spare wheel, feet out the front and lifted the tank over my head onto the front lip when I tried sliding out it fell off and landed on me face. Haha!

[Titus A Duxass]

Thanks for the write up Mojoh.
I think I will have to do this to my bus.

The last couple of times that I have filled up (I always fill to the first bump) there was a whiff of petrol and a small pool had formed on the floor.
It could have been down to it being hot but I still I need to have a look in and check.

The guy who did my ADY conversion put a new tank in and should have replaced everything when he was there but I bet he didn't!

[busbuddy]

You only need to do this job once in the life of your van

i have replaced the small bore breather pipes 3 times in 9 years, they have never failed but on removal of the tank for other work the breather pipes were found to be cracked and perished
they were not replaced with cheap ebay or jk pipes either, last set i just replaced 2 weeks ago were fitted in 2013

[kevtherev]

You only need to do this job once in the life of your van

i have replaced the small bore breather pipes 3 times in 9 years, they have never failed but on removal of the tank for other work the breather pipes were found to be cracked and perished
they were not replaced with cheap ebay or jk pipes either, last set i just replaced 2 weeks ago were fitted in 2013

Dear me that's bad.
Having only a couple of gallons in the tank at any time, I disconnected my breathers years ago after fitting lpg.

[Smcknighty]

Mine went in out in out a couple of times. Had to trim some metal off of the rear as it was too long. Getting the cross tank pipe fitted was tough. Easy with the tank out but doing it once it was in it was hard to get it in, not enough leverage .. All done now and doesn't seem that bad in hindsight...!

[pcurtis100]

Hi,
I have the same problem with the tank overflowing when I fill it up. I've lived with it for several years now - I just don't fill the tank.
I don't get any strong smell of petrol. My problem is I'm off on a big tour of France doing around 3000 miles and I've spent a lot of money over the last few months fixing and smartening the van up for the trip and i'm now pretty skint.

Are there any dangers /risks/ other downsides of not fixing this fault before I head off on my big trip (eg fuel consumption, fire, etc)
If I do have to have the work done I would need to take it to a Garage as the van is just out in the street and this sounds like too tough a job to do without a ramp?

Any advice appreciated

[slowcoach]

Axle stands under the front is fine and enough room, unless you're of a rotund stature
You can drain the tank into a suitable container, there's always more in than you think. Mine was very very low in the red, and I still drained out about 13 litres, though guess this depends how accurate you think your gauge is.
Not difficult, just a fit fiddly. If the tank is totally empty, keeps the weight down when you lower it (using a trolley jack and piece of wood).

[pcurtis100]

Thanks - much appreciated. I'll give it a go

[asterix_the_gaul]

Had this issue just this afternoon, never brimmed tank before, thought I would fill to first click before trip next week, came back to van after paying to find huge puddle on forecourt floor, whoops.. thanks for the info, yet another job to chalk up..

[peterboat]

Yes i have dropped my tank today to replace the sender it previously read what ever it felt like! Now it goes up to just over half full which is really annoying when I have managed to empty it again I will drop the tank and have a gander what the issue is. with about 23 litres of fuel in it the gauge was reading under half which I think would be right. Fortunately I have a ramp so it easier for me but still bloody annoying to have to do it twice!!

[muttleypup]

Do you mean gauge is reading just over half/won't go any further even with a full tank? If so I had same when i fitted a new tank, the sender was installed incorrectly. When it's twisted tight the 'arrow' on the top should point towards the middle of the tank meaning the float sits below the high hump at the front, if not the float catches on the inside/top of the shallower part of the tank and can't go any further