Pick-up tube

[rcnight]

Gents - a few questions on pickup tubes. Had to get rid of very old gas in my 82 SF. Original tank. Engine is now starving for gas. Replaced the water/fuel seperator filter. I blew instead of sucking (no wisecracks) the fuel out i.e.: I pressurized the tank with my shop vac. Is there a one-way flow valve or filter on the end of the tube? Could I have damaged the tube somehow. Can I get to the tube thru the gas level sending unit hole. Thanks for the assist.

[Basketcase]

When the engine is running does the primer bulb collapse? I would guess that some debris got lodged in the pickup tube. Probably would have happened whether you spit or swallowed the fuel from the tank. I assume it's an aluminum tank. You should be able to unscrew the pickup from the tank and clean it out or replace it. I had this happen on my bass boat and I just replaced the tube. It's a cheap off the shelf part at most boat shops. Do you have access to the tube where it enters the tank? I would assume so because you would have to have a way to replace the fuel lines. Another option would be to shoot compressed air into the tank from the fuel line. Just make sure the fill cap is off. This should shoot it back into the tank. Then you need to figure out a way to get it out of the tank. Perhaps if you take off the sender plate you could get the debris out somehow. Just not with a shop vac!!!

[gofastsandman]

Maybe a bad anti siphon valve or clogged vent or clogged screen on pick up tube.
DO NOT pressurize your tank w more than 3 lbs or so.

Replace the P up tube w 3/8 id aluminum tube.
Notch the bottom w/ an upside down shallow V.
No anti siphon valve.

[pelican]

Originally Posted by gofastsandman

Maybe a bad anti siphon valve or clogged vent or clogged screen on pick up tube.
DO NOT pressurize your tank w more than 3 lbs or so.

Replace the P up tube w 3/8 id aluminum tube.
Notch the bottom w/ an upside down shallow V.
No anti siphon valve.

antisiphon valves are there for a reason - keep the tank from siphoning...

not a good move to remove that piece...

[Vezo, Part II]

I am not a fuel cell builder but before this site, and all of its combined knowledge, I had fuel issues. Narrowed down further forward of water separator, I removed screen at lower end of pick-up. Not the problem and probably not the best idea. Next, removed one way check valve at top of pick-up. Anti-siphon? Or pointed to North (to bow) ball will close check valve for sinking/dispensing fuel tanks?.?

Part II

[pelican]

Originally Posted by Vezo, Part II

I am not a fuel cell builder but before this site, and all of its combined knowledge, I had fuel issues. Narrowed down further forward of water separator, I removed screen at lower end of pick-up. Not the problem and probably not the best idea. Next, removed one way check valve at top of pick-up. Anti-siphon? Or pointed to North (to bow) ball will close check valve for sinking/dispensing fuel tanks?.?

Part II

anti siphon valve:

it's a ball and a spring - negative pressure is required to un seat the ball allowing fuel to flow.negative pressure comes from the fuel pump


without the antisiphon valve,if a fuel leak develops after the fuel tank - fuel can and will continue to flow - siphon action.


when you see a collapsed primer ball - that shows a restriction on the fuel supply - 9 out of 10 times,the antisiphon valve is stuck,that causes the primer ball to collapse...