How to Install a New Fuel Tank
Fuel tanks can wear out over time, developing leaks or even being punctured. What you need to do now is replace the fuel tank. Although a mechanic can do this easily for you, you can perform this easy maintenance technique. You need the right materials and instructions.
What You’ll Need:
New fuel tank
Fuel line
Hose clamps
Floor jack
Hose clamps
Wrench
Sockets
Fire extinguisher
Camera (optional)
Procedure:
Drain the gas from your old tank first. You need a proper receptacle for the fuel you’re draining In some fuel tanks, there is a drain cock that will let you neatly drain all the gas. Locate it at the lowest point of the tank. When you find it, carefully loosen the valve then let the gas drain completely.
For a tank without a drain cock, remove the fuel by taking out one of the fuel lines. There’s a rubber hose which exits the tank and at its lowest point, fully drain the tank. This is either connected to a fuel filter, fuel pump or a hard fuel line, going to the car’s front. Loosen the clamp on the line’s end connecting to the gas tank. Afterwards, pull the hose off, then let the gas run out from the tank and in the container. Drain it completely.
Put the gas in a can, then store it away safely. Later on, you can load this in your new fuel tank.
Remove the fuel lines connected to the tank. In gas tanks, there’s more than one line. Find the fuel supply line that leaves the tank at the lowest point, and which goes to the engine or fuel tank.
Find the large fill tube that comes from the gas fill entry point. There’s also a vent line which allows release of pressure when there’s a change in the tank level.
Take away all the lines that go to the fuel tank. If you want, you can take a photo of the setup even before you take it apart, so you’ll have an easy time putting it back together later.
In some cars there’s a single beam in their rear. In front-wheel drive car types, it’s a suspension beam and on rear wheel drives, it’s an axle with a rear differential. Check your engine and see if the tank can be taken away with the rear suspension in place. If not, you need to have the rear suspension dropped.
Disconnect the bottom fitting on the rear shock absorbers, then pull the rear suspension downwards, away from the shocks that dangle.
Support the drive assembly or rear suspension beam, at the center, using a floor jack. This will let you lower the heavy parts.
If you need to drop the rear suspension to take off the fuel tank, the assembly is now supported with a floor jack. Remove the bolts of the lower shock mount.
Disconnect the rear brake lines, to avoid causing them damage.
Remove the large nuts attaching the drive assembly or rear beam to the car’s frame. Using the jack, lower the assembly to the ground.
You’ll see the fuel tank held in place with a couple of metal straps, securing it. To remove it, loosen the nuts at one end. They’ll drop off on their own. Pull them down, then unhook from the other end.
Install the new fuel tank, reversing the steps to put back the assembly.
Some Tips
Always work in a clean and organized area. Clutter might cause a few accidents.
Keep sources of flame or spark away.
Make sure your area is well-ventilated. A fire extinguisher will be handy in case an accident occurs.
Why put up with an old fuel tank when you can easily replace it with a new one? Just follow these easy steps and you’ll get this in no time. Remember, safety first!