more problems

[firehog6305]

hello folks, I have another problem with the restoring of my reinell cabin cruiser, it's a fuel problem, I looked up the other threads on this subject and found Don S thread about testing your fuel system, it was great, I'm having problems with some type of blockage in the tank, removing the tank really is'nt an option, I would have to cut out a section on the boat, it has an aft cabin and the tank is under the bed covered in fiberglass, it does have a inspection plate about 12x12, I have looked and it has the pickup tube, tank fill and overflow hose attached to this area, I read the artcile from Don S and it said that the tank vent might be cloaged, is the tank vent the overflow line? the pickup tube attachs from the top, is there a screen on the end of it?? it's threaded on. and will it come out the hole with the screen on?, it's a alum tank to the best of my knowledge, and sugestions on this matter, I'm not sure which way to start or try, I have a air comp. and tried blowing air into the pickup tube, I can hear some bubbles, but there is some resistance, and there is no way I can suck fuel up by my mouth, what do you guys think I should do first??

 

[firehog6305]

Re: more problems

ok, just pulled the sending unit off the top of the tank, the tank is full, I thought it was empty when I purchased the boat anyways I can see the pickup tube through the hole now, and it looks really bad, going to try and remove it, now I have another dilema, what about they fuel?? I know it has to be atleast 10yrs old, I have added 15gallons of good fuel to it when I thought the tank was empty, should I drain out ALL 140gals?? gawd I hope not, how about just adding a octane booster and some additive to it, and run it out that way?? I know it will run like #$@% but thats a lot of gas

 

[Don S]

Re: more problems

10 years???????? Get rid of it.

 

[firehog6305]

Re: more problems

man thats alot of fuel Don, I was afraid you would say that ha ha, looking into the tank that pickup tube looks pretty bad, how the heck do they expect you to change that filter? I guess if it was easy, everyone would be a mechanic. the only way I can see, you have to unscrew the pickup tube, while holding onto the filter through the sending unit hole, and hope you dont drop it

 

[firehog6305]

Re: more problems

ok I found the problem to the blockage, on the connecting to the pickup tube and the tank, there is a fitting that has a check valve in it, I guess thats what you would call it, its a ball valve, cant blow into it, but it opens when you suck on it, it was stuck closed, still going to change pickup tube filter since I'm this far, then I guess I will start getting rid of the gas, its a 140gl tank, what do you guys think about half and half??? half old half new??

 

[Don S]

Re: more problems

That fitting with the ball valve is an anti siphon valve. Less than 10 bucks at any marine store. As far as the pickup, it's USUALLY just a screen on the end of the pickup tube. Just unscrew it and lift the whole thing out...... Screen and all.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: more problems

You are just asking for problems if you do not completely drain the tank of every last drop possible.....​