Replacement petrol tank

[Kermit4]

Hi All,
I have just removed the petrol tank from my 1987 R4 GTL (1108cc engine) as it was leaking through a number of pinholes. The tank has quite a bit of rust inside it and aforementioned holes. Looking for a replacement 35 litre tank. Seems very difficult to find one. I can get a 25 litre non original tank but not a new 35 litre tank). Anybody know where I can source an original (or replacement) 35 litre tank plus sender.
Many thanks in advance.

 

[Andy McGhee]

There's one here that looks promising:

https://www.milanuncios.com/recambi...posito-de-gasolina-renault-4-r4-355221688.htm

You can get the different types of sender here:

https://vehicules-anciens.fr/fr/sho...1&search_type=all&category_id=0&search=reserv

 

[edwin]

They are on leboncoin all the time.

 

[Kermit4]

Many thanks for responses. Yes the refurbished one looks good so will try that.

 

[Kermit4]

Hi All,
I am ordering a new tank and sender but have hit another problem. The original sender is a bayonet type with 2 pipes exiting the top. One is the fuel line and the other connects to a fuel return pipe on the car with the interior end of the pipe just entering the tank. All the senders for sale have only 1 pipe (the fuel line). So I am stumped as to why my car (1987 GTL) has a return pipe when all the mechanics I talk to say the senders only ever had 1 pipe. My question is what will happen if I just blank off the return pipe and ignore fuel will not return to the tank. Any advice gratefully received.

 

[Crelesy]

Maybe you have to look at the tank filler hose, there should be a small breather hose as well. That could be the other line..

 

[Kermit4]

The breather hose is also present. The two pipes from the sender go forward towards the engine. One is the fuel line and the other a return line.

 

[Andy McGhee]

If these are anything to go by, it looks as though senders with the return pipe might have been factory fitted to late-model 4s in Portugal and Spain (and, no doubt, other hot countries):

https://www.standvirtual.com/anunci...ium=referral&utm_campaign=search_results_link

https://www.all4renault.com/product...l-de-gasolina-3-furos-com-retorno-34-litros-/

Presumably your fuel pump is the 3-pipe type; I imagine the system with the return pipe was introduced to help combat problems with vapour lock. I remember that some of the later Mk 1 Renault 5s had a sender with a return (see photo below).
There's a new sender here (same seller as the tank, I think):

https://www.milanuncios.com/recambios-de-coches-clasicos/aforador-renault-4-r4-354390324.htm (worth checking, because some of the pictures have the return pipe, but the shot from above doesn't. I imagine they're selling more than one!)

 

[Kermit4]

Thanks Andy. Your assumption is I think correct as this is a National Portuguese car so built for hot summers. Your reply was particularly helpful. My original problem is trying to source a tank with the bayonet fitting for the sender as all the tanks I have seen advertised have the 3 screw system. I don't think it is possible to get a replacement sender with 2 pipes and 3 screw fitting. I might need to go for one of the ones you found (thanks a lot BTW) and modify the fitting.

 

[Andy McGhee]

You're welcome!
These might be handy:

https://piezasautosclasicos.com/aforador-renault-4-moderno-con-retorno-enganche-tornillos

https://www.ebay.es/itm/Aforador-Re...4031926156e9d95d08b4|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2334524

 

[Kermit4]

Andy you are a star!! That is exactly what I need. I can purchase the sender with 2 pipes and screw fittings and a new tank also with the 3 hole fitting! Many thanks for your help. Obviously you search ability is far superior to mine as I could not find the ones you did.
Again really apreciate your help. Off to get my wallet out!!

 

[Andy McGhee]

No problem - you're welcome.
It might be worth checking that the sender in the first link is for the 34 l tank - I imagine it is, but best to be sure.
Hope your 4 is back on the road soon!

 

[Kermit4]

Will do! Hopefully both the replacement tank and sender will be with me in a week or two. Fitting seems easy as removing the old one was no problem. So should be on the road by end of November I guess. As the weather here is still good I can test the new components with a nice drive along the Algarve coast!! Thank you again, you have really helped me out here. I was starting to despair of getting both parts to fit but it looks like I might have achieved this with your help.