removing petrol tank and cleaning?

[elmo makaroy]

hi,

well once again im am having the same problem i have had three of four times now since ive had the van,

van works fine, then one day wont start and the tank blocks up,

basically i have no fuel coming out of my petrol tank if i disconnect the fuel line directly from it, even though i know there is lots of fuel in it (clearly the outlet of the tank is blocked as normally it would pour out of it all over my face),van fires up fine when putting petrol in carbs but cant draw any fuel past the tank i have tried poking somthing down this outlet but still cant get fuel out of it

last time i had this problem a few weeks ago my mechanic towed it away and blew an airline through the tank to unblock it abit, but he did say to me it needs taking off and cleaning out thoroughly,

so this is wot im going to do, i have looked and i can see the two bolts holding on the braces (not sure wot they are called) wich hold the tank in place,

so do i just unbolt them or is there anyhting else i should do first when removing the tank?

once i have the tank out how do i clean it out?

[elmo makaroy]

i am just thinking i should ask this ,

if i have run my van out of fuel and then i fill it up with about 10 litres of fuel, will that be enough for the level of fuel in the tank to reach the outlet pipe of the fuel tank,


like should i put more fuel than that in it try and get the level of fuel in the tank higher?
im sure its either the above or its blocked with crap or theres some sort of air lock from me removing the pipe from the tank?

just want to make sure im not removing the tank when its not actually blocked,

wot do people think?

[Plasticman]

Well fella, I think its in the wiki? but empty tank first (lighter), remove fuel feed/return hoses and I block these off on the tank with a blnk,
remove filler neck, remove pipes from both exp'tanks under wheelarches, get van up and secure on stands at the front,make sure your happy before getting under,
reach in through o/s arch and lift filler breather(Y piece) up out of tank.
place jack under tank with board or whatever on it and jack up to just making positive contact, undo the 2 bolts and remove the straps(downwards and to one side and they unhook) then lower tank, when its down a bit remove the other end of the breather (from Y piece) out of the tank and dont forget the tank sender wires,
clean your own way and get an endosope to inspect the internals
if in doubt about the breather hoses fit new,
tanks are easy after the first few..
mike

[lloydy]

would it not cause a lot less heartache to buy new fuel tank and being done with it? then you can enjoy your van

[elmo makaroy]

yes but wot i need to be sure of before changing the fuel tank for a new one is make sure that it definatly needs replacing,

i just want to verify,

if there is no fuel coming out of my tank when i disconnect the fuel line from it, is this because its blocked???, or is it possible it could be an air lock?? or the level of fuel in the tank is not as high as it needs to be to reach the outlet pipe??

do i need to create a vacuum or pressurize the tank in any way?? do i even have a fuel pressure regulator on an Aircooled engine?

problem is really i have run out of fuel in it stupidly once again and im having trouble to get the fuel coming out of the tank

thanks for the help though guys keep the wisdom coming!!

[Plasticman]

Yes that might be the best option .
mike

[lloydy]

its just from previous posts, you seem to have lot of problems with crap in the fuel lines, meaning you probably need a new tank, especially if you keep on running out of fuel
you could always brim the tank and then pretend its empty, and fill up as you normally do. Or just look at it as a full tank of fuel is about the same price as a new tank, and go for a new one

[elmo makaroy]

wot do you mean when you say "brim" the tank???

do you mean fill it up to the top? will this get the fuel flowing out?

[camper]

Take the advice about replacing for a new fuel tank.Once you get a build up of corrosion or crud inside unless removed completely it will find its way into the fuel outlet.Look out for a good used or new tank.

[CovKid]

If you're going to the trouble of removing tank and have had umpteen probs with blockages, a new one is definitely way to go. Mine functions fine but at some point its getting replaced regardless. Its just one less thing to worry about. Time marches on for these vehicles.

[elmo makaroy]

thats great but you have to understand that i have no other transport so untill i get the money to get a new tank i need to get it running again as i am actuually stranded at a friends at the moment,

so you think its blocked and needs removing to unblock?

thanks for all the help so far guys

[elmo makaroy]

fixed the problem today!!!

well wot i found was that i have another outlet which is exactly the same on the other side of the tank which i believe is for a fuel return (if you have one) but obviously i dont so it was just plugged up,

just connected the fuel line to the other side outlet of the tank and it went first time.


i just want to double check., is it ok to do this? i have cabletied the fuel line in a safe place and i cant see any reason why having it like this for the time being would cause a problem?

[BOXY]

i cant see any reason why having it like this for the time being would cause a problem?

Until the crap in the tank blocks up this outlet as the pump sucks it out of the tank. Get a new tank and fix the fuel gauge.

[Plasticman]

Out of interest, which side were you originally connected up to, N/S or O/S
mike

[lloydy]

Good job nice feeling when you repair something isn't it.

Just remember what BOXY said still get a new tank, as the pump will suck through the crap again. And don't let it run out of fuel again!

Out of interest, which side were you originally connected up to, N/S or O/S
mike

Do you think he might have been hooked up to the wrong side? (hows the syncro doka coming along?)