Removing GT Gas Tank

[Thom71GT]

HI All!!,

2 questions. How to you turn that fun little 17mm nut on the bottom of the car to loosen the bottom gas line and drain the tank?

And 2; Gimme some tricks to get that rubber hose off that fits betwwn the tank neck and the filler tube. ...and yes, I am coming in from inside the car and I have loosened (sp?) them up.

lastly, a comment. No wonder the car ran like crap. Most of my gas lines and vent lines were broken or missing. Nice!!!!

[GTJIM]

1) Don't heat it! Use plenty of penetrating oil and tap the ring spanner with a hammer a wee bit
2) Cut it off - and get a new rubber connector from OGTS

[greensmurf20]

if you are replacing the fuel line coming out of the tank, just simply cut it as close to the tank as you can, and pull it off with a 6 point deep well socket. of course after draining the gas.

that little rubber hose for the filler is a pain and havnet come up with a good way yet rather than fighting it forever.

[Thom71GT]

Originally Posted by GTJIM 1) Don't heat it! Use plenty of penetrating oil and tap the ring spanner with a hammer a wee bit 2) Cut it off - and get a new rubber connector from OGTS

Good idea. I already have the replacement from OGTS, so chop chop it is!!!

[Thom71GT]

Originally Posted by greensmurf20 if you are replacing the fuel line coming out of the tank, just simply cut it as close to the tank as you can, and pull it off with a 6 point deep well socket. of course after draining the gas. that little rubber hose for the filler is a pain and havnet come up with a good way yet rather than fighting it forever.

Ive got the replacement fuel lines from OGTS, but they look to be all plastic and the one going into the bottom of the tank is metal. Did I not order all the right lines and just perhaps the plastic ones? I need more? Hmmmmm

[greensmurf20]

the line coming out of the tank is steel for a short length, then turns to a short section of rubber hose, which inturn then goes to the plastic line you see. the plastic line runs all the way up to the fuel pump, using short rubber sections where the lines hook to carb and fuel pump.

[Willy_g77]

as long as you have another bolt/metal line assembly from ogts that bolts to the bottom of the tank, just cut it and let the tank drain.. then get a deep well socket like jared said.. and take it out.. and then use just a regular 17mm wrench to tighten it to the tank. connect the 5/16 rubber hose from the metal fitting to the plastic pieces.(should be two, one for vent hose one for the gas line) then the plastic hose should run uder the car.then thats as far as i've tracked it.. HTH

[simplemind7]

Originally Posted by greensmurf20 that little rubber hose for the filler is a pain and havnet come up with a good way yet rather than fighting it forever.

i just took the tank out of my parts car a couple weeks ago and i found that if you take the rubber gasket or whatever off from around the the outside of the filler neck where it goes through the body, then get someone to pull on that end, while you fight with it from the inside it will come off in a minute or 2... thats about the only way to do it really

[Thom71GT]

Thank you all for your help. Ill order the metal replacement tomorrow.

THANKS!!!

[namba209]

Thom, once you get the rubber line off the steel line, you should be able to slide a 17mm box end wrench over the line to the fitting in the tank, then it should screw right out. But I would use a good penetrating rust remover a day or two before attempting to remove the line. I'm guessing I was lucky, my gas tank and line appear to have been original from day one, even after sitting on the beach for over 8 years, I'm talking less than 50 yards from the ocean, the line came right out with minimum effort. I did have a bit of problem with the filler neck hose, I ended up sliding a very thin long screwdriver between the steel tube and the hose breaking the seal all the way around and the hose finally slid off. In fact, the hose is in such good condition, I'm gonna re-use it. But I'll put it back on with some commercial grade vaseline that will make it easier to slide back on easier than it came off. While you have you tank all disocnnected, it may be an idea to remove the sock that's around the fuel outlet inside the tank. There is a thread and tool Otto describes for that purpose, although I removed the fuel quantity sensor and made sure I got all the sock pieces out of the tank. HTH.

[soybean]

Here one thread that has a good idea that Keith posted down the page with a fitting.
http://www.opelgt.com/forums/showthr...l+line+fitting. Others added a fuel cut off valve after the fitting.
The other talks about the sock inside the tank. http://www.opelgt.com/forums/showthr...l+line+fitting fuel sock.
I couldn't find the thread that Otto posted about the tool, but it's here somewhere. If I remember correctly it was a piece of metal bent and sharpened each side to fit in the tank and spin around and cut the sock off. HTH, Jarrell

[soybean]

Here's the Jpeg that shows the tool Otto made. HTH, Jarrell

[svopel]

If you're going to have your tank professionally cleaned, have them remove the sock. That's what I did at no extra cost and without the aggravation.
Ken

[Thom71GT]

Originally Posted by namba209 Thom, once you get the rubber line off the steel line, you should be able to slide a 17mm box end wrench over the line to the fitting in the tank, then it should screw right out. .

Well the problem is that it is up inside about 1/4 inch and I cant get a good angle on it with a wrench. I need a socket.

[namba209]

Darn, Thom, that's kinda weird, but not unusual I guess. Mine was accessible for a wrench. Oh, well. Here's a suggestion, if you have to cut the line, I suggest using a tubing cutter rather than a hacksaw or rotary cutting tool like a dremel. A spark or the steel line getting too hot from the friction of the saw blade could have dire consequences.

[greensmurf20]

good point ron, about hacksaw or rotary tool. i used side-dykes and never gave a thought to heat, should have noted on that, mine was also up inside the car so i couldnt' get a wrench on it either.

[George]

the fitting for the gas tank was up inside the body where it wasen't possable to get a wrench on it.I drilled the center out of an old socket,cut a slot in one side and welded a piece of steel strap to it.Know I have what looks like a line wrench with a socket welded to it.A lot of work to just take take off and tighten one fitting but it works great.

[Lindsay]

After I removed 8 mm gas line to tank fitting, fabricated new 5/16" diameter steel line and used 5/16" diameter compression fitting (both from PepBoys). Used existing metric nut that threads into gas tank. Prior to installation enlarged recess in GT sheet metal with drum sander. Now I can use offset 17 mm box wrench, should it require removal again. Was not concerned with replacement rubber boot (OPGT Source did not have at that time) living in So. Calif., but might order one someday.

Rubber coupling on gas tank filler neck was a real hazard to remove. Doused with WD40 several times, before I was able to work coupling loose.