Lago Blue

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/124134/gas_tank_shield.jpg"></center><p>Has anyone observed any long term ill effects as a result of simply leaving this off their car? (Please see photo.)

This one was missing its' bottom half(?) already. Note the electrical bonding wire!

I'd be interested to know if anyone in the rust belt has any experience as to whether this remaining top half provides any necessary weather protection to the fill tube area it covers?

Perhaps someone who gravel road or rally drives has some experience as to the requirement for the missing lower half of this shield?

Thanks, David.

aluminumpork

Mine broke off while doing rear suspension work, went a winter without (MN), no problems yet.

Lago Blue

Thank-you sir.

lgibson

Hello again Lago,

Was thinking of trying to order that metal rock shield in this old thread of yours.

Is it only sold along with the whole tank? Do you have a part #? I notice some confusion about this in other threads.

Your ground clearance advice was fantastic: chain-filled hangers (looks like VW has superceded the 171 to 893?) and bushings tied into the rear muffler mounts do the trick.

Also great advice on the strut mounts: Pro-Mounts rock!

lg

1993audi90

Since my car grew up in the great state of Pennsylvania, land of salt and winter, the lower shield (the one nearest the rear tire) is rotted through. My first think was, no problem, call some junkyards in California. Guess what. They cut the straps off and throw shields out and just sell the tanks. If you need part nos I can get them I have parts books. I expect OEM prices will be cost prohibitive. If anyone on the board is from the west coast, texas, NM, AZ, they might pull some sets off and sell them.

Lago Blue

I'd hesitate to call it advice. More like here's what I did, copy at your own risk, your experience may vary! If you can do better, be my guest; and please share! Collectively we can know much more than each; separately on their own. One of the irreducible (least so-far!) qualities of the forum is this part of what might be called "the hive effect".

I've never replaced that shield nor inquired as to a P/N or anything, and I don't know if it's available separately, however it appears as the next fellow (below) may be able to help out. It would be interesting to know.

It may in fact be a good idea to replace that shield, if not for threat of impact damage to the tank, perhaps abrasion of remaining plastic and metal parts or mud, snow and salt getting thrown up there and causing corrosion, freeze damage, etc.

So is the new P/N for the chain-filled exhaust hangers I listed previously as:

VAG P/N: <b>171 253 147 G</b>

now superceded to this:

VAG P/N: <b>893 253 147</b> ?

If you liked the those ground clearance ideas, I will try to post some other simple fixes I've incorporated since then, nearly have the full "Baja Kit" now.

previously:

Re-hanging a stock B4 exhaust...
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho...ighlight=chain

1993audi90

ok, ALL PRICES ARE 2/98 SO LIKELY ARE HIGHER NOW

FWD HT: SHIELD, FILLER NECK--8A0 201 307 --02/98 price $35.55
SHIELD, TANK (appears to be in inside section) 8A0 201 308C $34.35
STRAP, LEFT SUPPORT (APPEARS TO INCLUDE A SHIELD) 8A0 201 653G $47.05

CABRIO: NO SHIELDS SHOWN

QUATTRO: SHIELD, FILLER NECK 8A0 201 307A $34.30
SHIELD, TANK UPPER 8A0 201 308M $56.85
SHIELD, TANK LOWER, 8A0 201 308K $34.70
BRKT, LEFT TANK SUPPORT (APPEARS TO BE A SHIELD) 8A0 201 661B $71.25

IF YOUALL WANT STRAP NOS LET ME KNOW.

lgibson

First a word to Lago Blue: GenuineVWAudiparts did cross over the chain-filled hanger 171 253 147 to 893 253 147 on my last order. It didn't seem quite as tough as the 171.

Concerning the tank shield: I'm still at a loss about what to order. They sent 8AO 201 307B and that is definitely not right. Does anyone know the part # for that piece in egp320i's photo in Lago Blue's post above from 8/10/2007? I need the quattro version.