breather t-piece on top of fuel tank

[theMarmot]

Hi,

the t-piece that connects two breather pipes to the top of the fuel tank on the near-side has seperated/snapped (can't tell yet) and has failed an MOT due to it (and other things...).

Planning on dropping the tank to have a look over the weekend. What kind of bits am i likely to have to replace during this job? I've had a quick search and seen things like the breather pipes and found the link to brickwercks for that.
Are there any other bits anyone could suggest i get in for the weekend and does anyone know where i could get one of the t-pieces from just incase it has snapped?
And as far as tools are concerned, do you think a pair of ramps and trolley jack will be ok for the job or am i better off getting some axle stands?

It's a petrol DG engine by the way.

Thanks in advance.

[wasserleaker]

If the bolts holding the front ends of the tank straps are stiff to undo, put some plusgas or similar penetrating oil on them, leave for a bit, and repeat, one of mine snapped and was a pain to drill out and re-thread! copper grease on refitting helps. brush all crud away from any grommets before pulling out the fittings/filler pipe etc.
the filler pipe jubilee-clip will prob be rusted solid, and the 3 screws to remove the filler collar may well be rusty, and round off, just to warn you! more pen. oil should help, pipes and grommets on the tank seem to last well, you cant really tell til it's off what you'll need, but it's a pretty simple job if you leave the tank very low on fuel.
ramps and chocked wheels/leave in gear/handbrake on, should be fine to do the job safely

[theMarmot]

Cheers Wasserleaker. Will bare this all in mind.

Didn't get chance to do it this weekend.

Thanks again, Jamie (..ordering more plusgas...)

[Damien]

I'd check/replace the seal that the filler pipe goes into, make sure its a snug fit. I dropped my tank to replace the brake pipes. Since then, i've had 2 mass leakages of fuel, out of about 20 times of filling it right up to the brim. Fitted a new seal, took loads of encouragement to get in compaired to the old one just slipping in. Been fine since.

[Cruz]

T-piece no longer available from VW. Place a wanted ad for a 2nd hand one