Fuel tank removal
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Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
Fuel tank removal
I am in the process of breaking a car, but I cannot seem to get the fuel tank out. As I want to cut some parts out of the body with my plasma cutter, I need to get the tank out - but it doesn't seem to want to come out. Is there any special things I should know. It obviously has to level up from the bottom - but it seems to wide to lever out.
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jw70
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Re: Fuel tank removal
I had the same problem with mine a year or two ago. Had to use a saw to cut it in half beofre removing it. Seems like the tank had expaned after it was fitted as there was no other way to get it out. John.
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Dieter K
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Re: Fuel tank removal
Yes, it expands when used.
If you have the time then let it rest a couple of month (the longer, the better) with no fuel inside and open on top without fuelpump.
It will shrink back to nearly the genuine size.
I found this with a fueltank that I had dismantled. I got it out after bending the brackets on top of the tunnel. Sold it on as second hand a year later and it went into the receiver car without any problem.
Regards
Dieter
PS. not to forget, no open fire allowed near an open fuel tank.
If you have the time then let it rest a couple of month (the longer, the better) with no fuel inside and open on top without fuelpump.
It will shrink back to nearly the genuine size.
I found this with a fueltank that I had dismantled. I got it out after bending the brackets on top of the tunnel. Sold it on as second hand a year later and it went into the receiver car without any problem.
Regards
Dieter
PS. not to forget, no open fire allowed near an open fuel tank.
MGF 1.8i, PTS. HEF-MG96
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Rob Bell
- Committee Member
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Re: Fuel tank removal
Echo Dieter's comments. The tank needs to be vented for an extended period of time before returning to a size that is extractable from the car. With my donor car, I ended up enlarging the hole in the body work with a hammer, a crow bar (and probably a scissor jack, in case anyone was wondering - yet another of the 101 uses for a scissor jack 
) - I wanted to get it out in one piece and not generate too much in the way of sparks. Interestingly, the tank ing the Shed, which had been vented to air for months came out no problem...
) - I wanted to get it out in one piece and not generate too much in the way of sparks. Interestingly, the tank ing the Shed, which had been vented to air for months came out no problem...-
PhilipCSwift
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Re: Fuel tank removal
Excellent information chaps! Even if it is from 10 years ago! I would never of thought the tank can change size. Thank you.
EF51 XGK
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talkingcars
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Re: Fuel tank removal
Hi and welcome to the forum Philip.
The plastic stretches slightly.
James
The plastic stretches slightly.
James
Home to black Alfa 159 3.2 V6 Q4, blue MGZR160, green MGF VVC and grey MGF 1.8i, and red MG Maestro T16.
MGF chatting on the Register and at http://www.the-t-bar.com
MGF chatting on the Register and at http://www.the-t-bar.com
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jonaf
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Re: Fuel tank removal
Fill some hot water into it. Plug all holes and let it cool. This will make it shrink. Repeat if necessary.
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RobboMC
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Re: Fuel tank removal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s9psf01ldo
Faith in physics, if you're in a rush fast forward to the 6 minute mark.
Fill with hot water, seal the holes and add ice!
Re: Fuel tank removal
Back in 1970, I bought a new MGB GT and took it to Belgrade where I was working/living. One evening after a hot day,it would not start probably due to a fuel pump. I recovered the car home with a gravity tank on the roof.
With a new pump shipped shipped out, I disconnected the old one and had the tank oil can. The change in temperature had caused a vacuum in the tank that stopped the pump. Cause. The locking fuel cap did not vent the tank. A cut in the seal cured the problem.
Geoff.F
With a new pump shipped shipped out, I disconnected the old one and had the tank oil can. The change in temperature had caused a vacuum in the tank that stopped the pump. Cause. The locking fuel cap did not vent the tank. A cut in the seal cured the problem.
Geoff.F