URGENT rubber grommet fell in fuel tank?! SORTED

[waltraud]

Dear all,

1.9DG 1983 Later, plastic fuel filler hose with smaller plastic return? / breather pipe that enters tank through grommet.

just been replcing the 5.5mm breather hoses to the breather tanks on each sides and thopught best to try and replace the grommet that holds the return/breather pipe into top of tank that goes to/comes off just below the filler. In doing this i accidentally knocked the grommet into the tank, now I have no grommet and a very loose fitting pipe. The hold in the tank feels about 12mm? and VW heriatge do another grommet seal which looks almost connical shaped- is that right?

My question is what if I fit a new grommet and leave old on in the tank, how much of a gamble is it that it will not get in the way of petrol flow and block the outlet to the tank- OR is the bottom of the tank divided into sections in some way that might stop it getting towards that area?

I'm considering taking tank out if absolytely necessary and after clearing fuel seeing if there is a way to get the grommet out via the sender unit hole on top of the whole unit?

cheers if you can help, going to France on thursday and will need to plan for a half day of work if its serious!

Tim

[waltraud]

NB I know the tank is good and probably a replacement as I would have expected a 1983 van to have originally had a metal filler pipe and earlier tank? Having looked at its upper section from the rear underneath it looks very clean. Am going to go out again with torch, ramps and take whels off to get best visibility and access. Would appreciate word of wisdom from the experienced in tanks!

[CovKid]

Chances are the grommet won't do anything except sit at bottom of fuel tank until it eventually breaks up and is burnt along with your fuel.

[Mocki]

there just isnt enough suck from the pump to pull that grommet to the outlet, so it wont be a issue, the outlet isnt at the bottom of the tank running out, it comes from the top down into the fuel, in a standpipe sort of way, so unless a pump was sucking silly hard it will just schimmy about the bottom of the tank....the worst thing that could (and will) happen is tiny bits of rubber in the filter, but they are easy to change and cost less than a quid.....

[waltraud]

Phew, cheers guys, that's very helpful and I didn't realise how the fuel exit worked which is interesting to know. I Have now relaced all of the short breather hoses with 5.5. braided from brickies and have checked the Y piece and solid pipes which are good. Will bet new correct fitting grommet in the morning, again many thanks for the peace of mind!

Best wishes

Tim