Can't catch a break - in-tank pump won't come out
 

So the saga continues.

My in-tank pump is not working. I have drained the tank and removed the tank strap. I have sprayed PB blaster from the outside around the in-tank pump a couple of times for the last 4 days.

Using a 36MM socket the in-tank pump feels like it clicks/ slips past a catch rather than turning loose:banghead: I am afaid it is the threaded insert moving in the tank rather than the filter turning free in the threaded insert.

Any thoughts out there? I have no choice but to remove the pump so at this point I am just trying to save the tank. Do I need to remove the tank or remove the tank sending unit at the top in order to get more PB blaster at the threads from the inside?

Anyway to get the insert out and then reinstall to salvage the tank?

Hate to let this get the best of me!!!!

No ideas on how to help you but I do have another tank I am willing to part with...not sure that it will treat you any better though...

it sounds like you may be headed for a new tank . as the threaded ring is turning .
some have repaired this after removing the ring with JB weld but the repair is at the bottom of the tank and if it leaks all the gas will come out

Thanks James and MrMerlin.

So at this point it sounds like I will just pull the pump out and attempt a tank repair first and then replace the tank if that does not work.

I have read a few posts about folks doing this before. Can anyone share how they got the threaded insert off the pump, what they used to glue the insert back into the tank and how they did it, i.e. tank in place or removed?

Thanks.

Jim,
Fabio421 posted in a thread about this very thing of a product that had been used with success to remount the threaded insert. You might search for it using his signature.

edit: found it for you. orginally posted by Fabio421

There is a white permatex type of sealant that is compatable with fuel. I'll try to find the brand and model # for you.

Edit: Found it!! Its Dow Corning RTV-730

http://www.dowcorning.com/applicatio...t.aspx?R=406EN

http://www.ellsworth.com/display/pro...0&Tab=Products

The above fix was reccomended to a Porsche racing team by Goodyear. The team had a leaky fuel bladder in a 935 race car used this as a fix. This comes from Bruce Anderson at Excellence Magazine April 2009 issue

Had this happen on the wifes '90 and on a couple of other used tanks. If James has a tank, get a hold of it and that might be your best option.

Thanks John. I have done a few searches and also see that SeanR had this issue last year. The thread ended without resolution so i have PM'd Sean for an update on final outcomne as well.

Jim,
See my edited post above

Thanks SeanR. I read you post from last year and saw the photo of the tank with the insert out and apparently still attached to the pump. Were you ever able to get the insert off the pump? Did you try and glue the insert back into the tank?

I am concerned another used tank would have the same issue and would prefer not to pay the price for a new one!

Given the frequency that this seems to happen seems like someone could make a buisness out of doing this repair if they could source new inserts! Roger?????

Hang in there Jim, these things will bite us in the strangest ways ...

Thanks John.

Wow, at $80 for a 3 ounce tube it better work!

I have seen other posts that used JB Weld with success.

Thanks Tom.

Been a bit frustrating the last few weeks but I have to remind myself it is a 31 year old car. Hasn't beat me yet but would be nice for one job to go without any drama:crying:

I did get the insert off but didn't even try to repair it. If I couldn't find a tank local I would have given it a try, but since there was one available I didn't bother with it. We still have 3 tanks sitting around waiting for this repair, but I'm not a fan of doing it and putting them in the cars. It will be a last resort and suppose someday I will end up doing one that way.

For now, since there are still tanks around I'll keep using those until I can't find any more. Then will go the repair route and pray. There is a bit of liability with putting something 'repaired' in a customers car, and I don't want to open myself up to that. I'd only do that repair on my own cars.

It's easier to just swap the tank.

Jpitman2 had this problkem some years ago - tank insert unscrewed with intank pump. IIRC he epoxied the insert back into the tank and had no further problems with it.

I can confirm that JB Weld seems to stick adequately to the tank plastic - I used JB Weld to repair a crack around the boss for the insert about three years ago - no leaks yet. If it works in the "just hanging on the outside" scenario it should be pretty effective when it is a small annular layer between the insert and the boss of the tank.

If I was driving a 928 that had a repaired gas tank I'd never park it in my garage. It's just not worth the risk if the repair fails.
We have seen a few houses burned up when this happens.