New 9.5 gall. fuel tank.

[dawpooldad]

Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone out there in Moggieland has fitted the new high capacity tank available and if they had any probs or have any hints and tips for fitting of same.

I have the dilemna of deciding which to fit to my '54 SerII saloon after numerous problems with a standard tank fitted in 2006.
Most suppliers are offering the original "Heritage" 6.5 gall tank, but some are now supplying the larger capacity (fitted with extra baffles and a drain plug).

Now surprisingly, the Heritage tank doesn't come with a drain which is quite handy when it comes to storage. Also, I know that you have to make other arrangements for the spare wheel with the larger tank.

Has anybody fitted the 9.5 gall tank and if so, how did you get around the spare wheel problem?
Rgds
Dawpooldad

[bmcecosse]

Can't see the point of the large tank unless you live in far-away places - far from a petrol station.. Spare wheel is going to take up most of the boot space..... Draining a tank for storage is inviting rust - you should fill it brim full.....

[MarkyB]

I know someone who has fitted a larger tank, their petrol gauge doesn't seem to work properly now so some of the benefit has been lost.
Worth asking about this when buying.

[dawpooldad]

Hi,
thanks for the responses.

I too, cant really see the need for a larger tank, as this car only really does a couple of hundred miles a year and is also kept in readiness as backup transport when our other cars give up the ghost!

The larger tank is £23 quid cheaper exc. VAT (Pro!) and does have the much desired drain plug (Pro!) Everything else has a drain plug so why shouldn't the tank!

Keeping the spare in the boot (Con!) is not really a prob as we don't really keep much in the boot. We have a local club member who made a great job of hingeing the boot floorboards and fitting them with little sunken handles (Pro/Con!) so that you can have better access instead of struggling to shove things in between the tank and floor.

Filling it to the brim is definitely a no-no(Con!), whilst being kept in the garage, too much of a fire hazard for me.

I appreciate the comments about the fuel gauge and will ask the question when I decide.

Rgds

Dawpooldad

[bmcecosse]

Surprised it's cheaper. The spare can be fitted under the bonnet - or use a lighter/smaller space -saver - also store under the bonnet. I believe some have simply raised the wood floor sufficiently to make room for the spare under.

[M25VAN]

I know someone who has fitted a larger tank, their petrol gauge doesn't seem to work properly now so some of the benefit has been lost.
Worth asking about this when buying.

I had this on a van 9.5gal tank. Just needed to bend the float arm down a bit. I now 2gal reserve instead of 4gal on empty.
Nice that they now have a drain. Mine is about 10 years old and didn't even have any baffles.....

[dawpooldad]

Hi Guys,
thanks again for the responses. I think that now I'm leaning towards the original type tank although, the spare wheel under the bonnet routine does sound good and I remember seeing this on one of our local Merseyside club member's cars.

As for the fuel gauge sender, this is fitted with the original early type, which is still working and messing about with it is not a good idea, purely for it's rarity value!

I suppose my yearning for a drain plug is only because the original tank had one!
So I'll probably have to stump up the extra cash

Best Rgds
Dawpooldad

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

If you want a drain plug that much drill and tap the tank and shove a bolt in it.

[bmcecosse]

It's no where near thick enough for 'tapping'.... A bushing would need to be brazed in - really - what's the point! Wheel under bonnet will make it VERY heavy and may easily snap the expensive hinges.......

[dawpooldad]

Hi,
I've ordered the heritage tank today from DSN and even with VAT and postage it is still cheaper than other suppliers. I have given up on the drain plug and hope that I never have too much in the tank to have to remove.
As to the wheel under the bonnet idea, it was originally suggested by bmcecosse, but then deemed too heavy???
Anyhow, thanks for all your help.

Best Rgds

Dawpooldad

[bmcecosse]

Yes - it's a common enough mod - I was just warning that it's not without possible problems. Less weight of course if you use say an alloy wheel or a space saver. My spare is safely under the rear floor.......

[chesney]

Could you not have it so the spare sits on a frame in the engine bay over the engine, easily removable for maintenance, just modify the bonnet support bar?

[bmcecosse]

You can do whatever you wish! Some have even been known to heat tins of soup on the exhaust......... I just suggest the expensive bonnet hinges are not up to it.

[MarkyB]

Some Citroen's carry the spare above the engine and below the bonnet on a simple tubular frame , separate from both.