Petrol tank removal

[Hamish400]

Looking for info from anyone who has removed the offside petrol tank from a 280i FHC - with body and chassis connected as normal.

1. Is it possible to remove the tank through the wheel arch without dismantling any of the rear suspension.? Wheel removed and suspension hanging on shock absorber but not disconnected).
OR is it necessary to disconnect some/all rear suspension to get enough room?

2. Interior trim has not yet been removed to allow sighting of the arrangement for the filling pipe. Is it necessary to cut a temporary window in the fibreglass to access the filler pipe stub and hose connection or to give room for manoeuvring the filler pipe out when removing the tank?

Reds
Hamish

[Hamish400]

Posted twice in error !!

[Hamish400]

Forgot to add suspension is trailing arm type - do not know if all 280i s had trailing arm rear suspension.

[marcus1875]

Hi Hamish,

Here's a couple of snaps of the fuel filler pipe from body to tank. Sorry about the poor phone quality pics. It looks fairly simple IMHO.
I'll be under the 280 most afternoon so I'll see how hard it would be to remove.
marcus

[marcus1875]

Hi again,
heres a pic of my tank, same set up. I think it could be done, but very tight, and a lot of cursing i suspect.
marcus

[Hamish400]

Hi Marcus,

I had spotted the uppermost filler connecting hose when looking down inside the pipe from the outside, but your photos show a lower hose closer to the tank. So it looks like the actual tank has only a short stubby filler pipe attached which would make removal much easier.
Trim removal and tank removal will start tomorrow or Tuesday - depends on the time the washing machine repair man pitches up at house tomorrow.

Many thanks.
Hamish

[Hamish400]

Hi Marcus,

I had spotted the uppermost filler connecting hose when looking down inside the pipe from the outside, but your photos show a lower hose closer to the tank. So it looks like the actual tank has only a short stubby filler pipe attached which would make removal much easier.
Trim removal and tank removal will start tomorrow or Tuesday - depends on the time the washing machine repair man pitches up at house tomorrow.

Many thanks.
Hamish

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Hamish...I recall when Delilah's rusty N/S fuel tank needed removing it was a bit of a struggle..The trailing arm and the exhaust needed removing, When we checked the O/S it had already been out at some point and someone had taken the trouble to plastic coat it..It was decided that if it had needed to come out then it would NOT of come out that easy..Even with the trailing arm and exhaust removed..Sorry i can't be of much more help than that...Ziga

[wild rover]

If it helps Hamish I have used the two pack metal to repair tanks in the past. This has proved to be successful .

[Tasmin200]

Hamish, did you ever get the right hand tank out with the body in place? Can it be done?

I need to remove mine for repair and wondered how much of a job I'm in for.