Technical Fuel tank removal
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Technical Fuel tank removal
Wiltshire Chris
Accidental Barchetta owner
Hi, it isn't too bad a job, can be done single handed but I had a mate help me. I used the instructions in this post in the 'Fuel smell' thread
www.fiatforum.com
and that helped a lot. We really should do a guide on fuel tank removal at some point as it's a common job to need to do when the whiff of petrol gets too much in the cabin!
Good luck!
Fuel Smell | FIAT Barchetta
Yes I read old threads about the seals around the vents and fuel pump, some people reported visible signs of fuel in those areas but on mine they were completely dry, still looked perfect and were still tightly in place. Plus with the intermittent nature of the smell, I just couldn't see them...
www.fiatforum.com
Good luck!
Many thanks for your very prompt response Wiltshire Chris. Do you think it necessary to take the tank out before any welding is done to repair the inner arches, or, as has been mentioned in the previous posts, the air in the tank could be vacuumed out whilst any welding is being done. On mine they’re quite bad in the area near the tankHi, it isn't too bad a job, can be done single handed but I had a mate help me. I used the instructions in this post in the 'Fuel smell' thread
and that helped a lot. We really should do a guide on fuel tank removal at some point as it's a common job to need to do when the whiff of petrol gets too much in the cabin!Fuel Smell | FIAT Barchetta
Yes I read old threads about the seals around the vents and fuel pump, some people reported visible signs of fuel in those areas but on mine they were completely dry, still looked perfect and were still tightly in place. Plus with the intermittent nature of the smell, I just couldn't see them...
Good luck!
regards
Wiltshire Chris
Accidental Barchetta owner
Mmm, not sure I feel qualified to say. I had my inner arches welded when I first got my car and I'm pretty sure they didn't take the tank out but how safe that was I'm not sure
I'm not an explosive experts but I'm not sure vacuuming air out is the better/best method. Flooding the tank with air is possibly better. I takes a certain air to inflammable ratio for an explosion to occur. If the volume of air is too large then explosion can not happen. Similarly if you have a given volume of air and introduce a gas then as the gas volume increases an explosion level can be reached. In both cases an ignition component is required.
All that said a fully vented and drained tank which is properly grounded is not (I hope and think) going to be an issue with EXTERNAL, note EXTERNAL, local welding operations.
Finally leave it to the insured experts so if it all goes bang it their problem etc.
Hello again - I’ve attempted to symphony out the fuel which is very stale (not used the car for a long time) from the tank
but suspect there is an anti fuelling device fitted. Do you know if there’s a drain plug on the tank, or can you suggest anything I could do to achieve?
No drain plug on the tank that I know of. You can try disconnecting the fuel line at the external filter if you have one or in the engine compartment and then run the fuel pump to drain the tank. But I suspect this will leave some fuel behind. Only other option is to remove the tank from the car.
Many thanks for your prompt response
I had the same issue with car being stored for many years.
Removing the tank was quite easy, but a tip from me is to remove the pipes with it down to where they go through the floor as when I tried to get a pipe off, I broke the fitting on the pump.
Once removed, I poured the old fuel out.
I suggest you then flush the pipes all the way to the injectors
Many thanks LeftyGreg. Do you have to get under the car to detach the pipes as you suggest?
If I remember rightly, there is a joint in the floor panel and you can separate the there
But, my memory may have failed me
But, my memory may have failed me
I have had the tank out of mine, it's not too bad a job. I would definately remove it before any welding near the rear arches. There are 3 hoses from the fuel segregator ( tucked in high up by the rear drivers side arch, that connect to pipes on the tank. Use some coulour paint pens to mark where the pipes connect to each other, it makes refitting much easier.
Hello again Wiltshire Chris - moving on from where I was, I’ve removed the fuel tank ready now for welding the inner arches. I’m aware you’ve removed the rear subframe completely on your car. Can you let me know what “thread” you’ve used on the Forum for me to refer to please as I’m planning to take mine off as the whole gubbins need cleaning/painting etc. Also any tips about this would be appreciated.
Wiltshire Chris
Accidental Barchetta owner
No problem. There isn't a guide on the forum as it is one of those jobs where the service manual does a very good job. Here's the link to the section of the manual that deals with it
I pretty much just followed that. There's a few bits that might change depending on the age, for instance mine doesn't have brake equalizers but by and large it's pretty easy. The only tricky part is that the whole assembly is heavy and you'll need to work out a way of supporting it on the jack, the service manual uses a specialist tool to hold and support the assembly, I think I improvised something with various bits of timber. Once it is out it makes it a lot easier to de-rust and paint. Good luck!
