Gas Tank Removal

[tamiii1]

Anyone removed a 40 gallon gas tank from an 80's Suburban.Mine is full and leaking from the seem at the back,tried to use a siphon but hits something before it get into tank.Also how difficult was it.Thanks for any ideas...

[DnStClr]

Are you replacing it or repairing it? If you're repairing, maybe you don't need to take it down- if you can get to the leaks.
Mark the seem leaks, then drain (syphon) til the gas level is below the seam, then try to repair it in place. No welding of course-
www.eastwood.com/shopping...aler[/link]

[tamiii1]

IT looks like its near the rear seam,but it also looks like its got rust or rot behind this rear piece of frame that its up against.I already have a new tank and sending unit already anyway.Got to figure out how to get the gas out,the siphon keeps stopping in the same place in the filler neck,dont know if there is a screen in there or not.Thanks for the help...

[matthufham]

if you have a transmission jack, un bolt the straps and bring her down, then disconnect the hoses when it's near the ground. don't forget the gas tank filler neck, it must be disconnected from the door.

[Blazin]

What about driving it to use up the gas?

[tamiii1]

Actually I got the siphon to work by putting a heavy pipe nipple on the hose and it went right in.I got about have out this way and will use the rest up this week.Can you drop the tank almost to the ground before disconnecting any part of the sender unit.I got a new sender ,so I guess I can put it all together and then hook the lines up.Thanks for the help...

[matthufham]

i had mine at maximum drop for my trans jack which is about 8 inches, and the sending unit was still connected, so you can take it off about there. i had cut the rubber fuel lines at about 2 inches of drop.

also maybe he couldn't drive the rest of those gallons off. i had no engine so lucky my tank was low on fuel.

[DnStClr]

The wires should be long enough to lower the tank some but those fuel lines want to be disconnected before it gets too low. Make sure you have a good ground on the new tank. The sender likes that. Crummy job. hope it's going ok.
Don

[tamiii1]

I might try to do it this weekend.Thanks for all the help...