gas tank replacement tips

[nissanconvert]

Well the snow finally melted this past weekend and I finally have some time and money to "invest" in the vert. After much searching not much was to be found in the way of gas tank replacement so after 13hours of frustration i figure I'll post some tips for the next guy.

(possibly different in your car, my entire car from the axel back appears to have been welded on from a different car, hmmmm)

I tried tank putty but that failed twice, possibly due to the leak being a blown seam weld.

I found a decent used tank for $50 on car-parts.com form a junkyard about 120miles away(closest one). New tanks are on backorder and $357 from the dealer. I picked it up since shipping runs $130 for the size and weight according to the yard. If needed clean the tank off sand any chipping paint and rust to a shine and spray with paint or undercoating to prevent rust. Be sure the inside of the tank is dry before filling.Note: spilling gas takes off any undercoating or paint real quick.

Try to use most of the gas out of the tank becuse you'll have to ciphon the rest out before you remove the old one.

Jack up the back end of the car at least 6 inches to clear the old tank.

As always with gas, ventilation is key, open flames and sparks are cool, but stay around a while and avoid these for a short while.

Remove the gas cap to release any tank pressure.

Remove the trunk carpet and anything in there you wish not to get messed up. Note: to avoid a dead battery turn off the trunk light via your favorite means

A small metal bracket to the right of the spare tire needs removed via philips screwdriver, 2 screws.

Beneath this is the fuel pump connector, unplug this.

Next remove the four screws via philips screwdriver or 10mm (i think) socket on the round plate.

You should be looking at two rubber fuel lines. LABEL THESE AS TO WHICH IS WHICH FOR LATERRemove the hose clamps with pliers (or screwdriver if they have been replaced). Have a rag to clean up any gas that comes out. When reinstalling these don't reuse the spring clamps, spen the dollar and get the screw type from autozone so it doesn't leak here later.

Unscrew the six small bolts holding the plate into the tank if you are going to reuse the fuel pump. Then carefully pull the pump out minding not to bend the steel arm to the bobber, it takes some deft buts doable. Put this in a clean place for laterNote: Bending the arm will give a false tank level later.

If not already empty ciphon the rest of the gas out into an plastic container for gas. Remember gas eats certian plastics so be sure its for gas.

In the back Passenger wheel well remove the plastic shield betwee the tire and back of the car. You should see a grounding strap connecting the fill neck to the chassis, remove this. Mine was missing so what tool you need is unknown to me.

Place a jack or somthing under the tank between the straps for the tank to rest on while you remove the straps. A small space between the tank and support is ok but watch it, if the tank drop too much it will cause you much grief.

You might be able to press up on the tank and remove the strap pins on the bumper side of the tank. they are plotted holes like the ones on wall shelves so you need to push the pin up as far as it will go and then slide it sideways out. If Not simply unscrew the other side of the straps. Take these off and set them aside if they are in your way.

Lower the tank enough to get to the third rubber hose on the top of the tank, in the same manner as the last 2 remove it.

The filler neck is held in place by a rubber gasket so it should pull out with enough force.

Any voila, the tank is out. Install the new one in reverse order.

Note: be sure to reconnect the seperate rubber hose beforestrapping in the tank or it gets to be a real pain.

Caution: be sure the ground wire is in good condition with good contact, if not, make one out of wire and ends from autozone. You don't want to ends up on FOX cause you cell literally blew you up.

If the rubber hoses are bad, now is the time to replace them. Yes cracks and brittleness constitute bad.

Don't forget the little rubber ring in between the fuel pump lid and the tank!

If the filler nozzle doesn't meet the fuel door ( mine was about 2" off, hmmm suck to have the back end off a coupe on a vert.) you can correct this with 2 pipe wrenches from the wheel well on the courregated part of the filler neck.

After filling the car turn the key until you hear a hiss/hum noise as the sensors adjust. when it goes aweay push the gas pedal down 3 times to get some gas in the line and then try to start is. Repeat if necessary.

Didn't work? well mine didn't on the 1st try either. Did you remember the gas cap? Did you put the fuel hoses on the wrong ones, if you remove the one on the right and it had air pressure in it you did and need to reverse the two, no harm.

If you have any questions feel free to ask!

Hope this helps

[top_secret]

yeah its super easy I took one off a parts car and swapped it onto mine in an hour or so.