9 replies to this topic

[Landyboy007]

Hi Guys,

I have a 1985 Mini Mayfair and I am completely stripping it down. Quick question, how do you remove the fuel tank from the boot and carefully drain it and disconnect everything? What is the best way to do this and collect the fuel?
Thanks

[croc7]

I'm basing my reply on the experience that I had with my car, a '76 MKIII.   First, if possible, drive the car 'til its almost out of fuel, then  disconnect the battery and remove the fuel quantity sender wire terminals.  If not buy a cheap siphon pump and use it to suck out the remaining fuel into a five gallon container.  You won't get all of it out so put a towel down to sop up the fuel when you take off the fuel line-its bound to happen.  Then its just a matter of loosening the tank strap and wrestling it out.  While you're at it, you might want to renew the filler neck gasket and put something on the underside of the strap to prevent possible chaffing the tank, I used thin adhesive backed cork.

[Landyboy007]

Ok it’s not drivable so I’ll have to buy a cheap fuel pump. I’m guessing that you just put the tube down when you fill the tank up or is there another way/ valve or something?

[alex-95]

Since it's a full strip down, go under the car, clamp the rubber pipe coming from the tank, chop the hose, (some will probably come out), put the hose into a container and release the clamp. 

 

Remove the 2 wires on the fuel sender, remove the petrol cap, remove the bolt holding the tank strap and it should slide out with a bit of wiggling.

 

Make sure you take lots of photos of how things are so that you can look back at it when you rebuild it, keep and label all the nut's, bolt's and fixings (even if they are worn or rusty) you then know what goes where and know what you need to buy if you have to replace it.

[Landyboy007]

Hi Croc 7 and Alex, thanks a lot. Either method is plausible but surely buying a cheap pump and pumping fuel in to a container is much safer and easier to carry out. I will let you know which method I choose. Thanks

[dyshipfakta]

Syphon it out with hose into a big Jerry can clamp the fuel hose and remove it then empty the small bit in the bottom with the tank out of the car. That’s how I did mine didn’t spill a drop. Tank is v easy to remove a few wires and 2 bolts takes some wiggling but it’s not hard.

[Its a min]

Hi Croc 7 and Alex, thanks a lot. Either method is plausible but surely buying a cheap pump and pumping fuel in to a container is much safer and easier to carry out. I will let you know which method I choose. Thanks

That's exactly how i did it. Cheap electric pump, a bit of hose connected to a spare piece of copper fuel pipe I had laying around so I had control and could move it where I wanted. Came out almost bone dry and took some of the crud with it. Quick clean and pump still works.

[Landyboy007]

Ok sounds good, thank you

[Landyboy007]

It’s a min, thanks a lot I’ll probably use that type of method.

[Its a min]

It’s a min, thanks a lot I’ll probably use that type of method.

 

Landyboy007,

 

It worked for me and I've used the pump for all sorts of liquids since. I got a cheap fuel pump off eBay (I think it was about £7), a spare disposable fuel filter I had, some hose and, as mentioned, approx 18" piece of copper fuel pipe I had spare.

 

I connected a short length of tube to both ends of the copper pipe. I then fitted a fuel filter, to catch any crud and keep the pump clean, to one end and connected it to the pump (in flow) with another short length of tube then connected a longer piece of tube to the 'out flow' of the pump to go into a container. Having a short piece of tube on the other end of the copper pipe, the end which will go into the fuel tank, stops it from scratching the inside of the tank but you don't have to use the copper pipe if you don't have any. I just found it easier to move around and completely empty the tank.

 

If you intend to use the pump again for anything else, remember to clean it after use. I just used some carb/brake cleaner and flushed through with a spray of WD40.

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Edited by Its a min, 10 May 2020 - 10:02 PM.