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Anon
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Petrol Tank


I think i have sourced some straps for my petrol tank although they are not here yet, but as usual i haven't a clue .

Will swapping them be as easy as it looks? I only have one strap on it currently as the other was completely corroded, they just seem to wrap around the tank and although i can only see the front of the tank they just seem to fit with hooks. I cant believe that the tank is just hanging there on theses straps and not supported on anything .

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Sat 23 Jun 2012 @ 13:47 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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The tank is supported by just the 2 straps.

Removal.

If you're not sure how much fuel is in the tank then it's best to support it while removing the remaining strap - tank with fuel in can be awkward to handle.

If the front of the van is raised then this will make the job easier but on a 350 chassis cab it is possible to drop the tank with all wheels on the ground.

Disconnect filler hose, vent hose from top of tank if fitted and both wires from the sender unit.

If filler hose clips are so rusty that they won't budge then use a junior hacksaw to cut across a clip in order to break it off while taking care to not saw into the rubber sleeve.

On the sender unit one wire is held under one of the screws securing the unit to the tank; the other wire should have a bullet terminal (spade terminal on earlier vans) that should pull off.

Installation.

Best to empty the tank before installing - makes the job so much easier. (Early vans with a drain plug are easier again - can drain tank before removal - but drain plug was discontinued about 1976.)

Needs rubber insulating strip between tank & chassis (should still be present but might need sticking back on) and also between tank & straps in order to prevent metal to metal chafing wearing holes in the tank.

Sticky back foam strip will do if it's wide enough but not too thick or the straps might be a pain to fit.

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Sat 23 Jun 2012 @ 14:48 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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Arghhh not so simple then.....

Might not be so difficult but actually reads as if its more difficult than changing the water pump was, but i did enjoy doing that so I'm up for the challenge and i have no choice it has to be done.

Thanks for the advice , I'm sure I'll be back for more shortly
Mon 25 Jun 2012 @ 20:46 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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Replacing tank straps can be as simple as supporting the tank while each strap is changed. However, if the tank has been hanging off only one strap then it is best to drop the tank so that when it does go back up (empty) everything is as it should be especially the insulation strips and any hose connections that have been under strain, hence the 'fit once' approach in my previous post.

That is, if I'd not forgotten about the outlet pipe next to the sender unit: small bore hose needs disconnecting as well as the filler and vent hoses.

Or just disconnect the outlet pipe if the filler neck isn't fitted to or through the body; if the filler cap goes straight onto the tank filler pipe under the body then no action required.

Also, you might find that the tank doesn't have a vent pipe if the filler cap is a vented type (should say on the cap if it's a locking one).

Borrow a pallet or two and some planks to support the tank and if the top of the tank is fairly clean and the insulators on the chassis are in place then you should have an easy job bar the wriggling under the van.

It might be possible to leave the sender unit wires connected as well - they should be long enough for the tank to drop about 6 inch or so - but at least check that the connections are clean and bright especially the earth lead under one of the sender unit securing screws because it can be a source of fuel gauge problems.

If hose clips are rusty and won't budge then they're best renewed anyway - before they disintegrate - so that hoses stay secure.

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Mon 25 Jun 2012 @ 23:32 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
bluebedouin
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philbradshaw wrote:
...
If you're not sure how much fuel is in the tank then it's best to support it while removing the remaining strap - tank with fuel in can be awkward to handle.
...

When I took the one off my spare chassis I was on my own.The way I got round it was to use a trolley jack & lower it down slowly with one hand whilst keeping it steady with the other.;]

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Tue 26 Jun 2012 @ 10:57 View bluebedouin   Email bluebedouin   Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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Hi Karrie

Give me a call if you need any help, as you know I am not far from you.

Regards
john

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Tue 26 Jun 2012 @ 12:31 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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Thanks one and all.

Ok so the next problem is that they have arrived and despite the assurances from AB they don't look the same as the ones that came off. I am sure mine had two hooks one at each end . I cant be 100% sure as i don't have the hooks anymore( but i can get them back without any problem so maybe all is not lost). The straps that have arrived have a hook at one end and an L shaped bracket bit at the other end. Look familiar to anyone ?

[img">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/7467622134_32129e4ba1.jpg">
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/78094382@N04/7467622134/]Tank straps[/url] [/img]
Fri 29 Jun 2012 @ 18:52 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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Tank arrangement, petrol models, van version showing bracket ends of straps -



Original equipment for chassis models with petrol engine, straps hung t'other way about -



Insulator shown is one of however many will be needed to protect all rubbing/chafing points.

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Fri 29 Jun 2012 @ 21:11 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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Thanks so it looks like if i get some hooks i may be able to do it.

Im going to try and pop down there later and will take a picture of my tank arrangement and compare to the pictures. I have it in my head that the straps on mine hug around the tank but if this arrangement can work then i shall be happy.
Sat 30 Jun 2012 @ 08:09 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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I don't think i need anything today!

But i thought as i haven't been around for a while and i did get lots of advice about the tank strap i should give a no so little update.

The tank strap saga has taken the longest time to resolve but i think we are there.

I have to say an extra thank you to a couple of people. Firstly Bluebedouin who gave me some some strips to make the strap out of ages ago ( i didn't manage to do it properly).I have to say another big thank you to Mantaman ( Ian) who has made a strap for me and its better than the original and finally to John the Vauxhall Man who rang me from a Vauxhall function to say he had found some straps for sale. How did i get so lucky .

I had already bought straps from AB but they are definitely not the right ones for my CF as they are not big enough. I would need hooks at least 12 inches long to fix them on. I will measure them and take a picture and if anyone knows what they would be good for let me know and i will find a home for them.

I could only replace one strap this time and the other is on so tight i would probably break it if i forced it off so the job was a lot easier. I will post a picture of it as Ian did such a good job of making it. I managed to get it on just by sliding underneath her ( and getting badly bitten by some evil insects in the process).

I booked the MOT and checked all the obvious stuff then last week off we went only to find that on the way my washer pump failed again .

We did fail but not to badly, my front brakes are out of balance and we suspect its because she has been standing unused for so long. Ian came for the MOT and had a quick look underneath and the conclusion was it was cylinders and he is going to come and help me release them ( i think) . I just need to sort the washer pump out again and find out why my side lights decided to pack up between testing them and the MOT.

While at the Garage ( in a village) another man came in from the same village who coincidently just happened to own a Cf350 but its older or younger than mine i cant remember but i think the shape is a bit rounder. I'm not sure how internet minded he is but we did tell him about the site.
He told me to make sure i hung on to mine ....I'm doing my best .... a camper van is next on the list ..

Thanks to everyone who gave tips and advice .
Fri 27 Jul 2012 @ 07:44 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
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