Daf 33 Petrol Tank

[bobdisk]

The fuel gauge on my recently aquired 33 did not work. I traced it to the sender in the petrol tank. I was horrified with what I saw when I took the sender out. I have never seen anything like it, has anyone else? It looks like bits of broken up plastic all over the inside of the tank.Attachment DeletedAttachment DeletedAttachment Deleted. The first picture is the view through the sender hole. The third picture is some bits of stuff I took out of the tank.

[andrejuan]

How very odd.

I wonder if it was an attempt to de-crud the inside surfaces and somehow got left in?

[andrew]

I bought a replacement tank from Essex Dafs when I found my tank had a very small leak at the union between the tank and the filler tube. I also bought a new sender unit and a rubber fitting gasket, so it's not a difficult job to obtain the parts & fit it. The inside of your tank looks WEIRD! I still have my old tank & you're welcome to it, if you want to fix it. I can recommend a decent repairer for fuel tanks if you're interested.

Don't throw your tank away, whatever state it's in-all things can be saved!

[bobdisk]

Andrew, Would like the name of the repairer. If I show him the pic of the insides, he might recognise what it is. Not sure how to get it out, there is a "sealant" around the edge, under the paint. I think there are screws under that.

[gromsound]

A-type tanks are just held in place with a rubber profile, exactly like a windscreen. You should bit by bit work the rubber lip below the outer edge of the tank until that is completely on top of the rubber and then pull it out upward.
getting it back in is one of the worst jobs you can have on a 33.... seems the hole is just too small, the classic rope trick doesnt work here. Use some lubricant like silicon oil.
good luck!

[bobdisk]

Thanks for the info Gromsound. This weekend is a Daf Sorting time, so after finding a serious oil leak when the engine is running, (Suspect a pushrod tube) I will have a go at the tank.

[andrew]

Bobdisc,

I'm away for the week but on my return you're welcome to both my old tank and the name of the tank restorer! I'll be in touch then!

[starider]

Hi, looks like old tank sealer,couldn't really be any thing else.Will be interested in the tank repairers comments................starider

[bobdisk]

I got the tank out, it was held in with what looks like silicon sealant instead of the proper rubber surround. I sent it to a specialist, they said it was not usable because of a lot of bodged repairs over rust holes. The "cheese" inside was an attempt at sealing with a liquid sealant, but not the proper stuff. They said that sealant is never successful long term anyway. (Correct, Starider!) The tank was covered in bitumen, which was covering attempts at welding, and believe it, body filler!!!. Absolutely lethal!! I am very disappointed with this car (But Not DAFs !) as everywhere I look (Brakes, Electrics, Exhaust and manifolds, Body, including paint and filler, and now tank) ,someone has attempted repairs, and made a complete mess of it. there is still more to look at. I purchased it for £1750 with the intention of putting it back on the road after some repairs, but it has turned out to be a major project.

So now I am after a tank, Andrew, do you still have your old tank? Or does anyone else have one?

I might be thinking is the car worth it?. I will not use that --bay again for a car.

I know we never throw things away, most can be repaired. Unfortunately, not this time. It would be dangerous to attempt any repairs on this tank, because of the bodged attempts especially the body filler. It has been safely disposed of.

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

Oh dear oh dear. Very sorry to read this. As I have said many times, that well known auction site often results in DAF deals ending in tears.

I'm glad you are not put off DAFs in general though.

If you or anyone is interested, our good friend (another) Bob, who has been a member of our club for many years, sadly has to sell his decent 33 - his advert is elsewhere on this site. The sale also includes various spares, and he is being very fair with the asking price.

He is very anxious that the car goes to a good home and someone who will keep and look after the car.

[gromsound]

It is however very well possible to repair leaky tanks, did that several times with my 33 since i could not get a replacement. And with the 343 too, simple cheap fix.

Clean off all dirt from the underside (where the leaks will be). Find the rusty spots and scrape/grind off any rust that is present. push with a sharp pin in suspect rustspots, might be a leak embryo.

Then get tin soldering wire and flux and a small hobby burner (like from camping gaz).
Then heat the leaky spots and apply the flux and tin, just flood it in liquid tin and the leak will be closed. For ever (well, at least 15 years and counting).

It is alway worthwile to repair a neglected Daffy, you will be doing a good deed for industrial history and have a lot of fun when it is done. But beware, you wont make any profit its just for your own fun.

good luck!

[starider]

Please,please,please keep any heat source away from the tank,otherwise the countdown could be for lift off when the tank explodes.As a qualified Tinsmith I think you will find that it's impossible to clean mild steel[especially aged and rusty M/s]well enough to take solder. If you do decide to solder please use a large soldering iron which is heated well away from the tank.Tank repairers use chemicals to cleanout any chance of explosion before even considering patching..................starider

[bobdisk]

As I said, this tank was very badly and dangerously bodged and has been safely disposed of by the specialist. I would not go anywhere near a rusty tank with heat in an attempt to seal holes, thats a job for professionals. As Starider says, it is impossible to clean rusty mild steel back to metal good enough to solder, or braze a patch. This tank was covered in bitumen, and when I pulled off an area to see what was underneath, I did not recognise what it was. That is why I sent it to professionals.
After buying mine, I came across this ad for it(https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C973562). The price was near double what I paid, at £3000 !
I have just come across Bobs ad for the Green Machine, I did not know it was still for sale, or I would have contacted him again. I was interested in January, but circumstances changed and I was then unable to buy another car.

[gromsound]

>>The DAF Owners Club is not responsible for actions or consequences of advice and comments appearing here.<<

First time i did that i filled the tank completely with water and sealed the fillercap opening with plastic foil under the cap. Then turned it upside down and started repairing. Where water is there can be no oxygen so that must be safe. The tin nicely filled the pinholes, i made a larger blob around the leak positions. As i said it works fine. But you are right of course, better safe then sorry.

[starider]

Hi, thanks gromsound for clarifying the way you did the repair,but it does show how important it is that anyone posting ideas must make sure aspects of health and safety are considered and that descriptions of suggested repairs are given in full............starider