Welding - does the fuel tank need to be removed?

I discovered there was a big hole in the rear of my van behind the back seats and behind the trim panel that looks to have been hacked out. In the photo I have covered it in gaffa tape to stop some of the engine smells coming in.

Would you remove the fuel tank for a repair to this area?

 

My bay is going in to have a wheel arch panel and rear quarter replaced prior to selling it. They don't need the fuel tank taking out, so I assume not. Good news too as it mean taking the engine out on a type 1. Strange place to have a hole in the van though. Has it been accident damaged in the past?

 

Thanks, that's good news! It's not a rust hole but one that has been cut out. I'm assuming it was for fitting of part of the furniture or someone's attempt to reach the fuel hoses!

 

Looks like its right by the fuel filler pipe so you may want to remove the tank etc to avoid blowing yourself sky high

 

Good point if it is on the fuel filler side.

 

That's what I was worried about!

 

Remove just to be safe I'd say! Dont forget to crimp the fuel lines either

 

Plate it with sealer and pop rivets - pre-paint the plate. Much less hassle.

 

True that would be much easier. A bit of a bodge though no?

 

If the breathers on the tank are good... And you can fix that easily , then unless you manage to blow a hole in the tank you would not need to take it out as it will be sealed.
However you might want to take the tank out to do a decent paint job to protect the welding from condensation on the fuel tank side.

 

I can't imagine it will look too pretty welded either without spending a fair bit of time on it and if that was my van it would be in a cupboard.
Many people rivet or screw panels on where a hole has been cut to access the fuel tank sender.
Depends whether you want to DIY in a few hours for next to nothing or ...

 

I would pull the tank out, the tank is not far from there and it only takes 1 spark out of the millions that will be produced to fall in the wrong place. Whilst the tanks out do the breathers inlet etc

 

Breathers and inlet have all been done. I'm liking @zeds idea!

 

Same here. If you're handy with the tiger seal and caulking gun, you can make the bead of sealer look almost like weld anyway.

 

As it's not structural ,
Tidy up the gash and make an access panel..
Que the innuendo gang..

 

I agree with zedders and others about a patch repair. All you want is the hole covered up, so their suggestions make sense. Welding would need the tank out for common sense safety reasons.

 

Just paint over the tape

 

Empty the petrol out and fill the tank with water....

Then weld ...

btw I'd risk it ,but I would wear my crash helmet... ....

 

Sealer and rivets, you might be glad of the access again one day soon, new pipes don't stay new that long!

 

I have one of these it works brilliantly.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rivnut-Ri...779400?hash=item58afb1ae88:g:NpEAAMXQxU9R-m~e