After much struggling, I managed to forcibly remove the tank yesterday. I still don't understand why it was so hard to remove. Like most things on rear-wheel drive Peugeots, it's very well designed, and should have just dropped out. Something has changed or moved, but I can't see why or how. I'll have to modify it to get it back in.
Anyway, the news isn't good. Removing the gauge sender revealed lots of rust flakes and dust. I don't know why none of it came out in the petrol that was drained. It's going to need internal cleaning and refurbishment. But at least I can run the engine from a jerry can. Maybe I could leave the tank out completely and set it up to run from a portable tank for an outboard motor on a boat. Just strap it in the boot and plug it in.
Anyway, the news isn't good. Removing the gauge sender revealed lots of rust flakes and dust. I don't know why none of it came out in the petrol that was drained. It's going to need internal cleaning and refurbishment. But at least I can run the engine from a jerry can. Maybe I could leave the tank out completely and set it up to run from a portable tank for an outboard motor on a boat. Just strap it in the boot and plug it in.