[Vwdiesel] Removing fuel sender/pickup to clean/polish fuel tank?

[Will Taygan]

So, the 1994 1.6TD FrankenJetta's woes all last winter start below -10F
and cure themselves above 40F.  The line and filter and IP inside the
engine compartment is fine.

Next step is to pull the fuel pickup/sender (what is the right term?)
and clean it, and then suck the bottom of the tank out and polish the
rest of the fuel in the tank.

I'm trying to do this without dropping the tank.  I've taken the cover
plate off in the trunk and can get at the pickup/sender unit but @#$ if
I can turn the plastic nut that holds it on.  I've used a block of wood
and a hammer and it's just shearing the little grip flanges off.  I was
thinking of hacking the whole thing off and buying a new one, but only
the nut is available, so I'm up a crick if I damage the pickup/sender.

Ideas?

Will.
Chugiak, AK