924Board.org

[Patrick]

Hi All!
I've read a number of posts on removing fuel tanks from cars with Audi trannies. But as has been said in some posts, mine doesnt require bringing down the tranny.

So i went ahead to try to take mine off due to a leak around the seams where the two halfs are joined together (,need to take tank down to pinpoint exact leak).

After removing the two metal straps holding the tank, the differential mounting (and likely i will bring down the exhaust muffler), i looked more closely and saw that the front portion of the tank actually rested on the rear crossmember (with about several inches of the fuel tank protruding past the front portion of the rear crossmember, at least on the right portion of the crossmember).

What makes that a problem is that the rear part of the tank only has about 1/2 - 1 inch clearance from the spare tire housing, such that i can rock the fuel tank around all i want but couldnt pull-slide it down any which way!

The only solution i see is one of the ff: 1) Cut away the hatchback flooring and pull the tank up or 2) Cut away or flatten the spare tire well or 3) Cut off the rear crossmember.

Of course i do not want to do any of these! But i am at a loss...So to those with the 1979 snailshell N.A. how did you do it? JOE 924 RACER said it was "just a matter of moving it around". Maybe you can elaborate Joe! Would really be appreciated. How about the other. 1979 snailshell owners pls. By the way, are the tank clearance problems pretty much the same for turbo and non-turbo (my car)?
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1979 924 U.S. version
Single sidedraft Weber 40

[Ian89C4]

I would just pull the transmission. Don't cut the floor!!

Transmission removal is not that hard, just a little time consuming the first time. Granted I have only pulled the audi trans but I have it down to about an hour pull and an hour back in.

I have not gotten into the snail shell on the 931 I just picked up, but I can't imagine its that hard.

Good luck!

Cheers
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Ian Edgerly
North Carolina

Current:
1981 924 SCCA/ChampCar Weissach Race Car ("Serenity")
1987 924S ChampCar Endurance Car ("Der Weg")
1980 924 Euro ("Wahala")

[ideola]

Not sure who said you could remove fuel tank without dropping trans. I can't imagine how this would be done.

Snailshell is marginally easier to remove than Audi, so as Ian says, just remove it and make your life easier! While it's out, make sure to inspect the bushings in the universal joint and the ball cup socket at the end of the shifter guide tube.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[Patrick]

Thanks for the replies! Its just that (at least from what i see), bringing down the tranny would not affect the outcome of my clearance problem. The tranny is just not in the way, its the clearance between the rear of the tank and the spare tire well vs the front portion of the tank (resting on the rear crossmember) that protrudes past the front (leading edge) of the rear crossmember.
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1979 924 U.S. version
Single sidedraft Weber 40

[Cedric]

I removed the tank without taking down the gearbox, tight fit but doable. But there sure is a point to refurbish the linkage while you are there..
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1980 924 Turbo
www.instagram.com/garagecedric/

[Ian89C4]

The tank does not come straight down, it rolls down and towards that back (spare tire well).

If you are laying under the car with your head facing towards the front and you are looking at the tank, remove both straps, obviously have all fuel lines for pump and return taken off, and let the sump side of the tank where the first fuel pump sits rotate down so that it is sitting on your hips or stomach. Then you will see how the front portion comes out of the slot that it sits in.

The rear suspension carrier is not in the way, trust us.

Cheers
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Ian Edgerly
North Carolina

Current:
1981 924 SCCA/ChampCar Weissach Race Car ("Serenity")
1987 924S ChampCar Endurance Car ("Der Weg")
1980 924 Euro ("Wahala")

[Patrick]

Cedric - linkage was refurnished sometime last year if i remember right.

Ian89C4 - "The rear suspension carrier is not in the way, trust us."
Yes, its quite obvious from underneath.


" let the sump side of the tank where the first fuel pump sits rotate down so that it is sitting on your hips or stomach. Then you will see how the front portion comes out of the slot that it sits in"


I`m sorry, my car doesnt have f.i. anymore, so i use an aftermarket fuel pump positioned elsewhere. That said, is the sump side the side where you have a couple of houses connected to the tank underneath (passenger side) ?

Also, looking at it, i figured you had to roll the tank down towards the spare tire well, but as i stated earlier " its the clearance between the rear of the tank and the spare tire well vs the front portion of the tank (resting on the rear crossmember) that protrudes past the front (leading edge) of the rear crossmember." So i couldnt even roll the tank down an inch, more so sit it on my stomach, or did i misunderstand you ? Maybe i`m doing something wrong? Please enlighten me somemore. I should really post pics, but i must admit that i have yet to learn how to (gotta read that article in the How To section)...
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1979 924 U.S. version
Single sidedraft Weber 40

[jason c]

The gas tank goes over the crossmember like a pole vaulter. It will come out without cutting anything. It is a tight fit.

Make sure you disconnect the lines at the filler neck and take the rubber hose between the filler neck & tank completely off. The tank will then squeeze out.

I've done this numerous times.

[Patrick]

Jason c - yes i took off the big hose between the filler neck and tank. I will check and try again. You guys have done it, so i will keep trying. Thanks again everyone!
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1979 924 U.S. version
Single sidedraft Weber 40

[jason c]

You may have to use a prybar & do some wiggling to get it out but it will come out.
The only tanks that I have had any significant difficulty getting out were in crashed cars.

[Rasta Monsta]

+1

I had to hang from mine, and it still didn't want to come out. Rubber insulating pads made it stick to the tub.
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Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

[Patrick]

Sorry for the late update. I did get it out a few days ago. Had to do some major rocking and wiggling around. Thanks again guys!
_________________
1979 924 U.S. version
Single sidedraft Weber 40