Technical Removing the Fuel filler neck information needed

[Ziggy122]

When i come to underseal my wheel archs, 1 side is pips todo!
However the Driver side isn't, there is the fuel filler neck and breather pipework in the way

Need to know a few things
The Screws holding them neck to the body - mine has rusty up bad
They Either - Wont budge, or just spin

So what next?

Do i need the fuel tank to be practically empty before tackling?

Can i just disconnect the neck near the bottom and cover it up?
Any info would be grand please!

ziggy

 

[a1ant]

Hi mate,

The screws and clips will need replacing. They are normally rusted beyond re use. Just need new screws and spire clips.

If your going to disconnect the pipes at the bottom then u would need to drain the fuel, and as you say cover up the holes to prevent dirt entering the tank. H&S says that the tank should drain the tank fully Anyway but yeah lol.

Alan

 

[atom0007]

ditto on that.

When I replaced mine, I managed to get 2 of the 4 out using release oil on the back (after brushing off the topsoil....), dremmeling a slot on them, and giving it some with a big screwdriver.

The other 2 were totally solid. I ended up drilling them out (after trying oil, screw extractors, left hand drill bit). Go with a smallish HSS bit, think I used a 3mm

The u nuts on the plastic neck were also a PITA. You're going to swear a lot getting the old ones off and the new ones on.

You'll want to paint round the filler neck and underseal it probably.

Watch out for the gasket between the filler neck and the wing

 

[Ziggy122]

Right - so i need to wait till my tank is bone dry / spluttering to a stop before attempting this job then

typically i filled up to the brim, and even on a long run, i aint used all my juice up yet

Are they standard Spire clips from halfords? or Fiat Specific ones?
(hops onto EPER)

ziggy

 

[atom0007]

Halfords sell a small selection pack, this has enough in it. I think they are either No.8 or No.10 off the top of my head.
I bought a small pack off ebay, handy for replacing the ones on the front bumper too (to radiator support panel)

 

[atom0007]

btw, I did this without taking the neck off the tank, so no draining required.

You can lash on the paint/underseal without taking it off.

If you are doing an A1 job though, taking it off is superior.

 

[Ziggy122]

Well i'd like to attack the seat bolts as well under the pipework, just incase i ever need to remove in future, apply a little heat and work it out as long as its safe todo so!

Ziggy

 

[atom0007]

, just incase i ever need to remove in future,

I often think the same, but then a little voice says "aren't you just doing the work now that you might have to do in the future?"

 

[Ziggy122]

I often think the same, but then a little voice says "aren't you just doing the work now that you might have to do in the future?"

Well when i was going to weld my punto up - i erm yea couldn't do it in the end

but i needed to remove the trim piece covering up the side, secured by the belt buckle point

Dammed me - i couldnt do it

Without risk of snapping the bolt i got like 2/3rds out - i had to put it back in carefully and leave it

Ziggy

 

[atom0007]

it's like taking out the front wishbone bolts to suspension subassembly, feels like you are going to break it