Hi.

I've known for some time that the base sockets of my left tail lamps are corroded and on their way out - I have a replacement unit but was put off replacing it when I realised that the petrol tank would need to come out.

How difficult/annoying is it to take out the petrol tank?

Mine's a Rover - does that make it any different to others?

Are there any parts that i'm likely to need for putting it back in or handy hints for doing the deed?

10 to 15 minutes & you should have it out, it's not difficult.

Doogie

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I won Hay once, here's the pic to prove it..


Hay, it's not about the car, it's not about the venue, it's about the people that come here. Peter Dwyer, Mayor of Hay NSW.

just watch out for the bloody metal thing on the bottom, took me about 10 minutes to get that off so it would slide out.

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65 deluxe - Matilda

Only early mini's had the tank breather thru the floor, i belive this is a rover mini.

Doogie

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I won Hay once, here's the pic to prove it..


Hay, it's not about the car, it's not about the venue, it's about the people that come here. Peter Dwyer, Mayor of Hay NSW.

Also make sure the tank is as empty as possible

I have been able in the past to tilt the tank to one side to get at the tai llight nuts with out removing the tank completley

Be careful as petrol can go every where as the fuel hose can be a pitta to disconect. I got petrol in my eyes and ear trying to change the fuel filer in my hi ace van once man that is painful and exspensive after the medical costs.

Kiwiinwgtn

Handy tip - when underneath a car playing with petrol. Tie a rag around you wrist so petrol doesnt run down to your armpits (sensitive skin)

Handy tip number 2 - when working on fuel injected cars, which use high pressure fuel lines, take the fuel pump fuse out, start and run the car until it uses up the fuel in the lines, then work on the car. Otherwise when you disconnect the first hose fuel will spray everywhere at pressure! Easy to get it in you face.

Is it absolutley necessary to remove the tank? The nuts are accessible with a 1/4 drive socket set.
But I can understand they can become pretty recalcitrant after a few years.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I replaced my tail lights with Rover lights last weekend. Only needed to move the tank enough to get my hand in. If you jiggle it around enough, after undoing the strap there is enough room without disconnecting any fuel lines. While I was at it I replaced the fuel neck grommet as well. It ended up being a lot easier and quicker than I thought as the removal of the tank also had me worried.

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1978 Mini S - "FAX"

You are a bunch of wooses scared of a bit of work. You do own a mini for God's sake you should be used to it.

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DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

Cool, sounds like it's not as bad as I feared.

As for being a wuss, i don't get much time to tinker with the mini,

I don't have a shed/garage/carport and don't have lighting outdoors so i can only get things done on Sat/Sun before 5pm at the moment. if i don't get something finished, then it would mean an earlier start for me every day as i'd have to walk my daughter to daycare (which makes for a longer day for her - which would piss her off) and then walk to the station - all of which would piss me off - which in turn would piss my wife off.

So in summary, not getting a job finished on the mini pisses the entire family off until it can be fixed . I have to be very careful about which jobs I start!

Might give it a go at the weekend - not sure if i'm willing to spend god-knows how long with a socket aimed into the unknown trying to unbolt the lights though - last week i spent about 2 hours trying to undo the bolts holding the bonnet hinge brackets, one or two clicks at a time!!