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Expensive Mistake

Posted: 08 Jan 2014 20:55
by g4zur
Hi all
Following on from a previous thread, I wish to advise members not to make the serious mistake I have made which cost a lot of money.
RUSTY PETROL TANK
Having found I had a rusty petrol tank I posted on forum for advise on what to do, I decided to buy all required Including a new tank, This I did, however I decided to wait till warmer weather to replace the tank, Gauge sender unit brakets rubbers etc. OOOPs.
Replaced two filters and cleaned carbs out twice, Didn't think to clean the new pump I had fitted. WRONG. I broke down due to petrol starvation on a busy dual carriageway late at night with freezing rain. no hard shoulder with busy traffic just missing hitting me.
I had to call police who did an excellant job but cost me £150 recovery. I at this time contacted the Garage responsible for the recovery and they were prepaired to replace tank and fittings for 3.5 hours labour at £40 per hour. They did the job and I got the wedge back this morning. They advised me they had to clean out the carbs, Again, Clean out the fuel pump, cleared the fuel line with air pressure. Fitted a new fuel filter and rubber fuel pipes.
All is now well but including the price of tank and fittings the total bill was just under £800.
Hope this prevents anyone making the same foolish mistake as I did.
Regards Gareth.

G.P.Albrighton

Posted: 08 Jan 2014 22:51
by dursleyman
Gareth, that was a hard way to find out something. We all learn stuff the hard way sometimes. Hope you have no ill effects from your cold wait for recovery. At least you know your fuel system is all good now.

Russ

1980 TR7 Sprint DHC
Dursley
UK

http://tr7russ.blogspot.co.uk/

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Posted: 08 Jan 2014 23:32
by Workshop Help
Dearest Gareth, your formula for having a good time is perfect. Heavy traffic on a busy highway, late night, cold, freezing rain, these are the things for making memories. I do hope you had someone special to share this fun adventure. As long as it's not my money being spent, I say go for the gusto!

Mildred Hargis

Posted: 08 Jan 2014 23:47
by FI Spyder
Geeeez.....that makes my tank sealing tank seem cheap! Mind you I had no choice it being a dual hole FI tank. $150 for kit I think it was (1 gallon of stripper, two quarts of soap for varnish removal,1 bottle of Metal ready, 1 small tin of sealer) plus I had to get a second gallon of stripper at $50 to remove stubborn old failed sealer. Mind you it did take me 6 weeks to do the job start to finish.[:p] Mind you that included POR-15ing the rear suspension/axle/drive shaft polish the brake lines/e brake and what ever else I could think of.

Good lesson though, never assume new parts are clean.

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- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT
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Posted: 09 Jan 2014 05:04
by john 215
Hi,

Unlucky mate [:(],some jobs shouldn't be put off ( oh the wonder of hindsight ) if any consolation our labour rates are 3 times that plus most of the youngsters would not know how to clean out a carb if there life depended on it !! They would be looking for a OBD socket to plug a computer in !!

Cheers John

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LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!

1976 Speke FHC Beauty Now with an overdrive conversion

1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)

1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6, BUILT NOT BROUGHT !!!!

Posted: 11 Jan 2014 14:00
by busheytrader
Hi,

That's quite a misfortune. I think I spent about 2 whole weekends replacing the tank and putting everything back together on my own. It was an involved job for a home mechanic.

I'm glad the rust didn't get further than the in line filter or that would have been even more work.

Adam

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TR7 V8 DHC Jaguar Solent Blue. 9.35cr Range Rover V8, Holley 390cfm, JWR Dual Port, 214 Cam, Lumention, Tubular Manifolds, S/S Single Pipe Exh, 3.08 Rear, 200lb Spax & PolyBushes all round, Anti- Dive, Strut-Top Roller Bearings, Capri Vented Discs & Calipers, Braided Hoses, 4 Speed Rear Cylinders, Uprated Master Cylinder & Servo, AT 14" 5 Spokes or Maestro Turbo 15" Alloys, Cruise Lights, S/S Heater Pipes, Replacement Fuel Tank. No Door Stickers. Mine since July 1986, V8 from 1991 courtesy of S&S V8 conversion and big brake kits.