94 80 Gas Tank Replace or Clean???

[jcapara_AZ_94_80]

I've been getting between 15 and 20 Gallons of usage from my tank; manual says it is 25 Gal. When the fuel light comes on I have about five minutes to find a station (I’ve used up all my heavenly favors on this one). Replaced fuel filter, found copious amounts of pepper sized rust when back flushed. The guy I bought it from picked it up at a Police auction shot full of bullet holes; it had sat for three years. It was a drug dealer’s rig I'm guessing. My friends think there is a five gallon size wad of cash or white stuff stashed in there. I think this is when the rust developed, but not counting out the possible payoff.
Should I pull the tank and clean it or go for an aftermarket long range unit? Either way I plan on replacing the fuel pump and all other tank internal organs. BTW I know it has a drain plug, any chance in AZ I could get 5 Gallons of rust to run out the drain hole?
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[RavenTai]

I did not know it had a drain plug, it is at the dead bottom of the tank? If sounds like a good place to mod a sump drain for removing water

I don’t see how you could have 5 gallons of rust in a tank and still have any tank left to hold fuel, possibly the lower section of the "sock filter" on the fuel pickup is clogged with rust particles preventing you from getting to the last 5gal of fuel, after the low fuel light comes on in my 80 I can drive for at least 50 miles, I have put low-mid 20's in my tank (cant remember exactly)

I would start by pulling the carpet up and the body access plate and the tank access plate replace the sock filter and wipe down the accessible portions of the tank, and go from there

 

[jcapara_AZ_94_80]

Yes the drain plug is dead center and low. Toyota is the only ones smart enough to do this as far as I've seen; the ultimate is the drain plug on the AT; way to go Toyota.
You're right, 5 gallons of rust would mean my tank would be about 0.003" thick.
Are you saying it is not necesary to drop the tank to access the sender unit plate and tank internals?

 

[RavenTai]

Agreed the 80 has some very nice touches, one of them is you do not have to drop the tank to get to the internals,

Remove the 2nd row seats (you may be able to get to it just flipping them foreword, I removed them for other tasks at the same time) remove some of the floor trim and flip the carpet up and there is a plate in the floor with 3 screws, under that is the sender/pump plate in the top of the tank removing this pulls out all the tank internals where you can inspect them and the tank itself

I have not pulled the tank plate I just got to the the connector on top of the tank to troubleshoot fuel pump problems but the FSM gives details of how to do it, if you don’t have the factory repair manual getting one should be your first priority

 

[cruiserdan]

The seats will need to be removed to get to the access panel.

 

[jcapara_AZ_94_80]

Thanks RavenTai and Cruiserdan.
I'll be pulling out the seats and carpet as soon as I win that FSM on e-Bay and my new FP comes in at the dealer.
I'll let you all know what mysterious debris I find in the tank, think $$$$$$

 

[Digger276]

It is possible that a drug dealer installed a compartment in the tank, it is a common place to hide drugs,, not so much money but possible. When you go and take out the tank or sending unit look at the bolts or screws to see if they have any scratches or misaligned. That may let you know if it was taken out before to add the hiding kit

 

[IdahoDoug]

Don't worry about waiting for the FSM. This is a 1 banana job - remove the middle seats, lift the carpet, remove the floor plate, reach down through the subsequent hole, and remove the tank plate.

As an aside, I wouldn't be publicly speculating about drug money, stuff in the tank, etc if I were you. Tucson's not a very big place and drug people are a bit nasty and touchy about coming to retrieve their stuff if you know what I mean. Take my advice and don't post to this thread anymore regarding your curious situation.

DougM

 

[Rookie2]

JMHO, get the FSM from C'Dan and don't waste your time with Ebay. I spent a month or so trolling of one on Ebay too (before I was a member here and before I learned to be a "smart shopper"). Frankly, you'd have to get very lucky on Ebay to get one for less than Dan's prices. Not to mention..., he's a good'n.


Rookie2

 

[jcapara_AZ_94_80]

Well if anyone is interested in the outcome of the fuel tank saga......It was about 2L of good ol' rust; no cash or other funny stuff. Replaced the fuel pump and all other nasty looking parts in there as well. On first tank this week, looking forward to getting more than 250 miles frome it before light comes on.
Thanks to all for your help!
Jeff