Fuel tank removal

Hurrah & oh bugger! I’m sure everyone will be pleased the foe is vanquish but that pleasure is tinged with disappointment; you have kept us all entertained by your endeavours (antics),
I’m sure you’ll let us know how you go on getting it free of grot.
M

Well done that bloke 👏 
I think that draining and venting the tank is key to this job. 
I had a go at this today and took a couple of photos. 
 

I had already removed the pump and drained the tank previously so that made it much easier for me. 

Undo the 10mm bolts and remove this panel. 
Peel off the plastic sheet.  
Undo the 2 13mm nuts that secure the tank straps.  
After looking at the shape of the tank I thought that it would be easier to start by working it out from the bottom, it was a bit tight here.  
Once I had it to this point it came out without further problems.  

It was a way easier for me because the tank had already been drained and open for a while so I think that it had shrunk back a lot.  

My guess would be that in the factory it is heated significantly to soften it and then pushed in and possibly pressurised to fit the available space by blowing in compressed air.
Having said that the image of the tank on Rimmers looks “rather robust”
At £312 inc vat it looks an absolute “snip”. Cheap at twice the price!
But how on earth it is persuaded into its final position I’d be interested to hear if you chose to fit one. I can only wish you good luck if you chose to replace the tank.

And, as our Australian friend has already alluded to..the use of  a  pry bar/ crowbar was employed..

What the hell is that?
is the tank really holding a bit of fuel in it that will never get out unless you drive it on the wall of death?

I think that a new, unused tank would go in without any problems, even one that had been out for a while wouldn't be to bad. 

Apologies for previous last comment- crossed whilst typing
Fantastic photos, that is certainly a job I hope never to have to do.
It is very interesting to note that the tank is easier to remove after standing empty for a while. That presumably means that the tank “softens” a bit in service and expands as a consequence.
if so the implication might be that if left too long it might become a bit brittle.

wrote:

What the hell is that?
is the tank really holding a bit of fuel in it that will never get out unless you drive it on the wall of death?
 

I for the life of me can't imagine why anyone would design it like that, the only reason I could guess what happened was at a planning meeting by a bunch of suits who wouldn't have a clue, came up with the desired specifications, one of which was fuel capacity, the engineers could give them the capacity, they wanted but couldn't find away to make it all usable capacity, in the confines of the av available space so didn't bother....it had the desired capacity, but just not all of it was useable!
 

generous_dad wrote:

What the hell is that?
is the tank really holding a bit of fuel in it that will never get out unless you drive it on the wall of death?



DAVID AIKETGATE WROTE:-
It used to be a well known fact that if you were low on fuel, a quick wizz round a roundabout, would see the gauge lift back up, 😂

Of course, not applicable for those who drive on the wrong side of the road!😜 

 

Wow! I actually experienced that phenomenom when I bought my car,!
The seller had left an egg cuo full in and said drive up the dual carriageway about 5 miles, you will see a garage on the otherside, go to the roundabout and back down to it.
The gauge was on less than zero and I drove like a vicar. After going around the roundabout the gauge movef upwards. I couldn't relax as I thought it was faulty but I made the garage.
These cars do have character...