Rusty Fuel Tank and Sending Unit - Replacement?

[Avatar_Squadron]

I was wondering if anyone could help me price a new fuel tank and sending unit for a 1g awd.

My tank is severely rusted around the sending unit cover, the sending unit cover is really bad, and the hardline is probably going to break or spring a leak soon. Since the tank is so important (and potentionally dangerous), i figure it's probably better/worth the money to try to replace.

I put some lines out to some junkers about used tanks/sending units (miller's import parts, dsmgraveyard, a junk yard or two in the area). Only one person has replied so far. Says they have a clean tank and sending unit and they'll sell for $300 shipped. If this tank is really "super clean" like he says, would this be a good deal? I dont have pictures as I dont want to bother him if that sounds way off (sounds a little pricey but it's shipping from N. Carolina to Wisconsin).

I've found old ads quoting $75 for used tanks, but maybe the price is going up as the parts get rare.. and that quote includes shipping...

Anyone have a good idea, or a better idea?

I was originally futzing with the sending unit cover because my pump sounds like it's going to explode (it's a walbro255 supposedly... i havent seen it yet ) and I wanted to make sure the fiilter sock was clean... so i might be looking at needing a new pump as well. I plan to put the car back to stock for now, so a w255 is probably a little overkill, but it came with the car.

 

[bryanwheat]

Is your tank rusty inside or just on the outside? If there is no rust on the inside and it isn't leaking i wouldn't replace it. I would just find a good non rusty sending unit and install it.

 

[airmail96]

I agree my sending unit was rusted to the point where the feed line sprung a leak, but the rest of the tank was good. If you are looking to be cheap I would say just replace the sending unit. The other thing you may have to worry about though is snapping the studs that hold it down, but there is a fix for that.

 

[Avatar_Squadron]

I dont know about the inside yet. Obviously something has the pump angry. My guess is the inside is rusty but I wont know til i crack it open (nuts are soaking in penetrating oil while i'm at work). It's also possible the pump's seals and o-rings dried out. It starts out whisper quiet and gradually gets louder until it's actually louder than the exhaust and can be heard from 10 feet away (and i'm running a straight pipe through a resonator while i work on my real exhaust... although it does sound damn sexy atm). Puts out 35-38 psi near the fuel filter in the engine bay, so it's working.

My guess is it's clogged, and if it's clogged there's a good chance it's rust that's clogging it. It would have needed gas in the tank to build up varnish and the tank sat empty for 5 years.

The car sat in a barn for about 5 years with nothing in the tank. My guess is that's when the sending unit rusted, and if the sending unit rusted, the tank might have as well. Like i said, the perimeter where the mounting bolts go is very badly corroded to the point that you could break it off with very little effort and several of the mounting bolts have pulled through the holes.

 

[troppo loungo]

You can get an aftermarket replacement sending unit or parts from some of the vendors like RTM in canada or STM, maybe others. I would send your tank to a gas tank shop, they will repair any rust and epoxy coat it so it will never leak.

 

[troppo loungo]

https://www.rtmracing.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17142&cat=1500&page=1

 

[agentorange313]

https://www.rtmracing.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17142&cat=1500&page=1

It says out of stock, and I am sure it is:

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/bolt-tech/402577-rtm-fuel-pump-sending-unit-1g-awd.html

 

[Hesh724]

i cant find any new ones at all in stock anywhere i look hard too