[V8] Well dang, I might as well fix it

[Mike Arman]

OK, OK, I get the message. I might as well fix the dang thing.

There's ethanol goop in the gas tank - what can I use to get that out? I'm hoping not to have to 
drop the gas tank because that means the rear suspension has to come off. Any way to clean the tank 
in the car?

There's a fuel filter just in front of the right rear wheel. The fitting is stripped so turning it 
just turns it, it won't back out of the filter. Access is, or course, zilch. I've been able to ease 
it downward slightly, but I think I've pulled the tank-to-filter line downward as well, and that 
promises to be a bitch to get back in place.

The injectors are probably not clogged - the gas went bad from sitting, and I'm hoping nothing got 
into the injectors. Fortunately, that's not a huge job and I have (someplace) the Ford V8 injector 
seal part number to use instead of the unobtanium genuine Audi part.

I have a new fuel pump ($$$$$) and a new fuel filter ($), so no problems there.

I'm also thinking I should change the timing belt since it is seven years old even though it only 
has about 20 miles on it. Comments on this? All the rollers/spacers/guides etc. are new and unworn, 
so this job is mostly labor. I have a replacement radiator to install because I think the old one is 
clogged (progressive overheating) but the radiator comes out to change the timing belt anyway.

Other issues are an electrical drain (which I know how to troubleshoot and fix), it needs rear brake 
discs and of course the parking brake cables are stuck. These are, as we all know, the "usual 
suspects" on V8s. Probably also ought to have a fuel pressure regulator, just in case.

The biggies are the goop in the fuel tank and finding the correct implement of destruction to remove 
the fuel filter. The filter body is steel, so it won't respond to half-measures. The new filter body 
is aluminum. A Dremel might make enough heat to ignite the fuel residue in the filter, so I don't 
think I want to go that way. Any suggestions? Cut and splice the feeder line to the filter? (Can't 
get to it with the tank in place.) Grit my teeth and drop the tank (aarrrgghhhh!) and change the 
whole mess?

Fortunately, I have a good, indoor place to work with a concrete floor, floor jacks, jack stands, 
blah, blah, blah, so I'm not going to be attempting this with a rusty crescent wrench.

Advice? Comments? Suggestions?

Best Regards,

Mike Arman
90V8Q, might just run again . . .