Dropping the tank - any tips

GMingst · 08-16-2006, 08:09 AM

Finally dropping the tank to fix my fuel smell problem. Any tips or tricks to getting it in or out? OR anything other than a cracked tank I should be looking for?

01/85 944

Thanks
Graham

JivenJim · 08-16-2006, 12:22 PM

Disconnect Battery
Open Gas cap,
Here' s some notes on tank removal

Wear goggles
Drain tank in to as many gas container as needed. (mine was full cause I didn't plan ahead)
Remove Down Spout cover trunk area.
disconnect Fuel level sensor noting which wire goes where.
disconnect filler and Vent hoses with good gloves or you might cut up knuckles.
Disconnect fuel return hose above Transmission at hard line to soft line point. (bottom side)
loosen both Straps and tank should roll over Tranny. Oh wait my Tranny was out when I did the tank.
So Not sure if it will roll out with Tranny in cause I think it would Bump Spare tire Well.??

Repair Thread Gas fumes? Tank leaks? Read this.

Good Luck

Zero10 · 08-16-2006, 01:43 PM

Need to remove the transmission. No way it will fit out with it in place. IIRC you also need to remove the transmission crossmember. My memory is a little fuzzy from the last time I dropped a fuel tank.

JivenJim · 08-16-2006, 01:49 PM

Is the 85' a late model bolt up Tranny mount or early welded in one?

scottmandue · 08-16-2006, 01:54 PM

Are you sure you need to drop the tank to get to the problem?

I don't know but I have been told you can get to some of the vent tubing from the top by removing the carpet.

Granite 944 · 08-16-2006, 03:47 PM

Prior to dropping the tank out completely, I hope you've exhuasted every other possibility as to a "fuel smell" issue. There are several other possibilities other than a cracked tank, however, I've personally had a few with (what I'll call, a typical problem area on top of tank cracking out) the cracked area on top of the tank as an issue, combined with other areas of concern. Leaky fuel drain issue (draining into the cubby hole in back), bad sender gasket, crappy seal on tank neck, metal cover seal, hoses under such, maybe even rear hatch seal issue allowing exhaust into cabin, and your engine is running very rich mixture at this time. Eliminate all these first, than remove tank. Its not that hard to do, but requires car up in air a fair amount, dropping tranny, and without all the "cute" tools and equiptment to do such, it can be a very trying experience. If your gonna drop the tank, do you have the ability to get car up in the air, tranny jack and such? I've done this more than a few times, and I do have lots of these tools and such.

Have you done the visual check, and see indications of a cracked tank? Gas leaking outta the tank will show up looking like softened/bubbled and darker (wet) colored areas on the tank's paint job/covering, and thats not counting the actual visual drips and spots on the ground.

Good luck!

pozican · 08-16-2006, 04:10 PM

Btw -- When I replaced my fuel filter, I got burns from the gas, the ashphalt sealant came up, and I ended up having the sealant in my hair and arms in addition to having light chemical burns. The Ashphalt was all over my hands and arms. Nice black color!

WEAR GLOVES.

-Alex

-- On a side note, if the sealant ever happens to any of you, I had to wash my hair and arms with engine cleaner. It's also a petroleum product, so it came right off.... Nice smell... Beleive it or not, the day before prom. Thank god I got that off...

Granite 944 · 08-16-2006, 04:24 PM

Yep, gas eats asphault.

If ya ain't got the gas/petroleum smell on ya once in a while..........you ain't no mechanic.

JonA · 08-16-2006, 05:13 PM

The purists might get upset but when the tank on my 82 924 needed repairs to the top, I removed the carpet and cut two neat access holes in the sheet metal of the trunk bottom with a pair of angled snips. The 3 small cracks in the tank were repaired with fiberglass and epoxy patches. Two carefully fabricated covers for the holes in the trunk and it was a done deal.
Vapors are a concern. I'd research the best way to make the tank safe before doing anything that could produce a spark. I didn't but I'm a little less stupid that I used to be and I'd do it right next time.

Jon

WaA420 · 08-16-2006, 06:27 PM

Last time I replaced my tank I just sawzalled the trunk floor out. This made getting to the tank really simple and saved more time for drinking beer.

GMingst · 08-16-2006, 06:30 PM

Thanks, for the advice. Yeah I have been chasing the fuel smell since I got the car. I have checked and replaced all the lines I can get to at the filler neck. The one that runs on top of the tank is the one I suspect now. The smell underneath the back of the car is very evident. No drips but it reeks of gas when full. Besides it will give me a chance to do a couple of things while I am in there.

Graham