Long range fuel tank strap BROKEN!

Stewart (oily!) · Post by **Stewart (oily!)** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:35 pm

The strap has snapped! the last one did this and nothing fell off, then again it rarely had fuel in it, opinions on replacement? dealerpart? anyone done this?
Stewart

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:54 pm

What do you mean by long range fuel tank? A rusty strap fell off a BX of mine once - it was around the small tank o/s rear (which appeared held in place by a bolt anyway) and nothing ever seemed to suggest the strap was essential in the first place. But long range? I don't think any of my (GTIs) have ever had that feature!

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 12:16 am

Its long range on a diesel - gives you anything up to another 125 miles (2.5 gallons) and that seems a lot when you use the car (means another week or 2 to me before I need fill up generally)

Doesn't look too difficult to make another strap - it should be there for MOT purposes but if its missing I can't see it being noticed as no MOT inspector is going to look under the wheel arch - especially is he has a 4 post lift.

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 12:33 am

I wouldn't worry about it, they've fallen off most BX's by now, the tank itself is still bolted to the chassis outrigger so it's not going to fall off.
But if you wanted to mend it, the easiest way is to take the back bumper off where you see a 13mm (i think) bolt holding whats left of the strap on.

I use some plastic coated metal band for strapping cables to cable tray, it's like a sort of coated Meccano on a strip. If you want some let me know how much and I'll send it you.

Gareth Wales · Post by **Gareth Wales** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 8:41 am

Strangely enough I removed the remains of that strap yesterday; it had been hooked onto something which had also long since rotted away. The small tank seems very secure and I wasn't planning to replace the strapping as it did seem a Cit belt and braces thing.
But Ken, if you've got some of that Meccano strapping, I'd be grateful.
Gareth

Stewart (oily!) · Post by **Stewart (oily!)** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 1:22 pm

Thanks for the replies chaps, I seem to remember the last GTI one dropped off ages ago, I will put it low on the priorities list.
Stewart

rob-bx16v · Post by **rob-bx16v** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:54 pm

buth of these straps on my bx 16v have gone to. Even though the tank is bolted to the body when full of fuel (imagine the weight) puts strain on the strap and without that strap if you fill up to the top all the time it takes its toll on the fuel filler neck. also the piece of metal that goes between the inner and outer rear wing the tank rests on splits at the welds and slowly rusts away from the body. I had one come off completley in my hand not long ago!!!!.

Mr B · Post by **Mr B** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 9:11 pm

If I remember, these straps where a huge amount of money but are no longer available. The tank is secured to the towing eye and the filler neck, I'd be tempted to replace the strap with something else as it must weigh over 10kg with a full tank.

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 9:20 pm

This strap is available as my hurricane failed its MOT on it last year and i bought new items from my local dealer.

I seem to remember i bought the rubber strip and the metal bracket for about 15quid.

Stewart (oily!) · Post by **Stewart (oily!)** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:52 am

It only gets filled up coming back from france

I now get biodiesel at a good price

Stewart

RichardW · Post by **RichardW** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:37 pm

Still listed on PR.net:

95632862 FUEL TANK STRAP £25.45
95632863 FUEL TANK PROTECTOR £1.57

The 'protector' presumably goes inside the strap.

Seems like a lot of cash for a bit of bent strap to me

I'd be inclined to knock one up from SS plate so it wouldn't rust out again.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:25 pm

I'm sure if you make one up from mild steel and paint it carefully it'll last another 15 years anyway

jeremy

Stewart (oily!) · Post by **Stewart (oily!)** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:28 pm

I think I can fabricate something rather than part with £25, not that Im mean you understand

For the time being I will just remove it all and have a bit of a measure up.
Stewart

rob-bx16v · Post by **rob-bx16v** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 3:55 pm

I forgot to mention look in side the rear wheel arch where the tank is and check the jubille clips that attach the tank to the filler neck mine had completley rusted and snapped (anotherwords nothing keeping the filler neck to tank pipe tight) i replaced with all with some new jubilee clips then greased them throughly.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:49 pm

I can't remember what this one looks like but when I did one for my Renault 21 I cheated and welded a new section of strap into the existing ends to save me the work of making new ends.

Usually its the middle that rusts away leaving good ends!

jeremy