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MG MGA - lost in the gas tank

I was assembling the filler cap last night and the lift lever got loose and went right into the tank through the filler pipe. I got a magnet on long flexible extension and have been trying to get it out, but it will not line up right to allow passage out. would it be possible to go through the side of the tank where the fuel guage wires connect? or should I just reverse all steps and remove the tank and try to shake it out? I think this is called the "two steps backward part"
Thanks,
Harley
Harley Johansen

I think (but others will no doubt say for sure) that the simple answer is yes. It certainly does on my other car. A few points though - You will probably need a new gasket and you will find from archives that some have had problems with leaks afterwards. From memory I believe the cork gasket is best but again others will advise better than me.
Would it not come out if you simply opened the plug underneath and let the petrol gush out - maybe you need to fill it up first to increase the flow? (not indoors and you better put your fag out first!)
Graham M V

Graham, I forgot to mention that the tank is empty and dry. I am re-assembling car after previous owner dismantled it. He used a home-made leather gasket on that guage access side hole, so I don't know if it will leak or not. Maybe I should just get a new cork gasket and do it right.
Thanks,
HJ
Harley Johansen

Harley

It's easy to be wise after the end, but Dominic posted valuable advice a few weeks ago. When doing anything with the filler cap stuff a bit of rag in the pipe.

Cheers

Steve
Steve Gyles

Harley

I would check that the gauge seal seals before fitting the tank into the car. I stood mine up on its side for a day to check that it sealed OK with a gallon of fuel in it. I also used Wellseal to seal the cork gasket to the tank. It never dries out and seems to work well, recommended by Bob West.

So I would take tank out again to get lever out!

John Francis

Harley
just in case you misunderstood the last part of Grahams answer to your question, I thought I had better explain that "fag" in modern(ish) UK slang means cigarette.
He is not suggesting that anyone who has a legitimate alternative sexual preference should be either moved outside or have their flames extinguished!
Colyn
Colyn Firth

:)) Colyn, I gave up fags (the smoking type) long ago, but I would also try to keep any bystanders at a safe distance, regardless of sexual preference. Thanks:)
HJ
Harley Johansen

After another night spent fishing for the lever, this time through the side opening for sending unit, I have decided that it will stay in there. I don't see any problem that could arise from a loose filler cap lift lever laying in the gas tank. Do any of you think it is a problem? I looked inside and there are baffels that prevent much movement laterally within the tank. The other option is to remove tank and shake it upside down, but would rather not.
HJ
Harley Johansen

On gas tanks- mine looks like Swiss cheese- there are at least 10-12 rust holes, more like wee dots, but holes never=the-less . Is it time for a new tank or can I wander across the recently cleaned surface with a tig welder? And if so, is there away of pressure testing to find any more rustworm holes?
Ah! the joys of attempting to adhere to the budget I assured the Finance Comptroller I would adhere to- OK , so I lied, but would still like to see if it could be salvaged after all these years.
M THOMPSON

I have had the Phillips Head screw from the same cap assembly in my tank for over 8 years now and has never caused me any trouble. I don't think your tab will give you grief if you leave it there.

As for welding a gas tank.... well.... do an internet search on the subject. It is EXTREMELY dangerous. I have witnessed gas tank repairs being done twice. First time I watched someone else try a repair on a Studebaker. He tried using resistance soldering. He emptied the tank and cleaned it out many times with soap and water. Then blew air into the tank to force vent it. When the carbon rod was struck to the tank, an arc occurred. WHUMPH! It was disasterous. About 5 lbs of rust was dislodged from the underside of the car and the original 20 gallon tank now held about 24 gallons, if you get my drift. The 2nd time, I MIG welded pinholes in my MGA tank. That tank had been empty, dry and open to the air for about 20 years. I don't think I'd tempt fate a 2nd time.
Chuck Schaefer

The safe way would be to fill the tank with inert gas (welding gas Ar/CO2 mix) while welding from the outside. But first, rinse out the tank with alcohol then with water. The alcohol will dissolve traces of petrol and the water will dissolve the alcohol.

Alternatively, you could apply epoxy resin / fibreglass to the area.
Art Pearse

Art, while I may agee with your process of how to safely repair a gas tank, what I do personally and what I'd recommend to others on a public website are two very different things. Instructions can be mis-followed, mis-interpreted, of just plain outright ignored.

People of different skill levels may Google and find this discussion in the future. Without a full understanding of how things can, and do go wrong, one cannot proceed in a safe manner. Repairs of this nature are done professionally every day. Consequently, with the proper precautions, it can be done by the home mechanic. However, even following the best of instructions, I feel it is still a dangerous process. This type of repair is not for the faint of heart.



Chuck

Chuck Schaefer

Unless you are a professional welder and you know exactly what you are doing, DON'T put a flame or a welding arc anywhere near a petrol tank, even if it has been completely empty for many many months. It is very dangerous. Only professionals trained on petrol tank repairs will have the expertiese of doing the job with complete safety.

Frank
F Camilleri

POR 15 makes a tank lining kit that can be used to restore a tank with minor pin-holing. It's an epoxy like liner that is supposed to be alcohol fuel resistant.

My 25+ year old tank liner failed and had to be mechanically and chemically removed.

JIM in NH
AJ Mail

Back to the beginning of this thread, I finally got the lift lever fished out, through the side hole, with a magnet. So now it is back together. But, the lift lever I got from parts catalog, is very thin and the catch is not good. I am using the original cap and components except for the lift lever. The tube is also new. Does anyone have experience with complete original style gas filler caps from the parts dealers? Are they successful?
Harley Johansen

I ordered a lever and cork gasket from Moss - worked very well.

AJ Mail

Harley,

I installed a complete Moss gas filler cap about four years ago. It had the correct size splash plate, the chrome is holding up well and the cap is functioning fine.

John
jjb Backman

This thread was discussed between 28/07/2010 and 30/07/2010

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