To drop the tank or not to drop it

[Warreng]

So after much deliberation and checking on the net I have decided that I will have to drop the fuel tank in order to replace my hand brake cables.
Here is the story of my woes so far:
Firstly it is a case of room in my garage,  it just fits the MR2 and I still need to get to grips with the fact the UK garages are tiny compared to my mansion of a garage I had in south Africa.
Secondly getting the rear of the car up high enough was a problem and after much sweating and swearing because my trolley Jack was too small, and using blocks of wood I opted to borrow a bigger trolley jack from my son. And would you believe it,  it worked.
I have removed the interior and undone the fuel pump pipes on top and loosened the 4 bolts that hold it in place as well as loosening all AC piping around it.
So tomorrow I will undo the filler pipe, and another pipe on the bottom of the tank that goes to Well not to sure will find out tomorrow. By now most of you are saying just drop the one side, but unfortunately I know me and my big hands will get skinned and again after much much swearing I will just end up dropping it hence I  will do it the hard way and save time and swearing.
I will let you know how it goes once it is out and cables are in. I have been taking pictures of the process and will figure out how to load them so anyone else will be able to save time, swearing and sweat in future.
Warren(SAFFA)

[Gaz mr-s]

I haven't done the job, but have read it doesn't dropped out, just lowered.

[jvanzyl]

Hey Warren,
Welcome first if all!

There are a few of us on here from the Deep South- it'd be great to see you start up a thread in the readers ride section so people can contribute and comment on your journey.

And finally we have a big annual club meet in Wrexham later on this year if you would like to join us. Have a look in the events section under "ding day".
Cheers
John

[Warreng]

Hey John,
Thanks for that I will repost in that section,  was not to sure were to post.
New here and have been a member since 09/2019.
I will definitely be attending some gathering and meet this year that is for sure.

[Call the midlife!]

Welcome, I'll get this out of the way first but as soon as I saw your name I had a 90's throwback!😂
I dropped the tank on mine but I already had the engine and drivetrain off the car so it was a bit easier.
Car up fairly high on 4 stands, skinny mechanic son laying on the floor on a sheet of cardboard, he took the tank onto his chest and I pulled him out by his feet... Just bear in mind the weight of any fuel left in it as you can't siphon it out.
If you are going to drop it I'd get some Dinitrol or similar and give the cavity a treatment and also the top of the tank while you've access to it.

[Warreng]

Thanks for the heads up,  it will be a battle as tank is half fill. I will definitely be coating the top of tank and it's cavity while I have it out. Will also be doing a lot of treating to the underneath of the vehicle while I can and it is up in the air.

[Call the midlife!]

Hmmm... that's around 30kgs of lump to try and manhandle around, try and lower it with the trolley jack but slide a decent bit of scaffold plank or similar between the two or you risk deforming the tank.
The second pipe you referred to earlier feeds the injectors and there's likely to be some pressure in it so be mindful of that when you disconnect it.
Good luck!👍🏻

[Warreng]

Thanks for that, apparently there is a fuse that releases the pressure.
I will be using a 2nd trolley jack and plack  to drop it.
Warren (SAFFA)Gillot

[Call the midlife!]

Yeah, I read John's comment on your other thread (the title of which confused me a bit 😂).
I don't know what fuse he's referring to so I'm keeping out of that one as electrics and fuel pressure are two separate things.
But if you undo the fuel filler cap well in advance it eases a little and obviously you're disconnecting the battery before doing any electrical tinkering anyway so you'll be fine.

[Warreng]

PART 2 of To drop the tank or not to drop.

After reading all comments and taking them into consideration,  I pulled EFI fuses, disconnected the battery,  opened the fuel filler cap and made sure the mice box of a garage was well ventilated I started the fun task of replacing my hand brake cables.

I tried my best to drop the tank but alas it was not to be because of the manoeuvres it would take, combined with the lack of work space...so stay in would have to be.
So after wasted time I loosened the passenger side bolts and then with a trolley jack under the driver's side I removed the 2 bolts holding it.  O ce this was done I lowered the fuel tank down on the driver's side moving the pipes out the way to enable me to get access to the 2 retainer bolts. Now bear in mind I had to do it from the small opening by the fuel pump in the car, not much room for hand and head so everything was done by touch. Amazing how we can do that, eyes closed and inaudible swearing under my breath it was done and in turn the new cable was replaced in the same manner.  I really wish the Toyota builders in the east would try and remember us westerns are not built like little Gaisha dolls, we have baseball gloves as hands...as for getting the new rubber boot into place. Man did I curse the land of the rising sun, petty sure the whole of Japan's ears were burning.
Well one down and now the passenger side to do.

Well F me this side was to be a battle and a test of my very thin patience and a test to all the swear words I had learnt will working on ships and in god forsaken places on earth.
So with a longer bolt in place on the driver's side I then proceeded to do the opposite side, removing the 2 bolts and dropping the fuel tank down as much as I could.  The coolant pipe restricts the amount you can drop the tank. It was at this point I had to run to the local tool shop and purchase a ratchet type spanner.  I then pushed and squeezed my hand in and after more swearing and some hand cramps and the cursing the Japanese car makers I got the bolt off behind on top of the tank as well as the side one. I then fed in the new cable and once again cursed the land of the raising sun and there dainty tiny little baby hands. Getting the rubber boot in place was a nightmare but done it was, minus a fair amount of skin on my fingers and hands. I then tried my best to get the retainer clip on top behind the tank on but could not so I opted to leave it out, hope it does not come back to bite me in the proverbial bumbum. Sode clip I  place as well as the 1 before the brake calipers, all bolts holding the tank in place inserted and tightened I called it a day. 2 new cables in, hands raw and lacking a fair amount of skin but job done it was time for beer, copious amounts of beer and a reflection on job will done I hope and if it ever needs to be done again I am taking it to my local garage and they can do it.

Warren (SAFFA) Gillot

[Carolyn]

Well done.

I just did my gear cables, which does require major tank dropping.  They are bolted to the underside way up over the tank so one has to get the whole arm in there, pretty much. I had to bite  the bullet and remove the side plastic covers over the plumbing and systematically undo mounting brackets for all the pipeage so that the air con and coolant pipes could be moved out of the way.  Fortunately, they did not have to be disconnected.  I was then able to drop it, pretty much all the way.
It's a big job, though, isn't it?

[Warreng]

That it is, hopefully I will not have to do it again in my lifetime lol.