Fuel Tank Problem

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DjPro

Seaman
Joined
Sep 8, 2003
Messages
66
boat BW Outrage 1979<br />motor Johnson 1989 150hp<br /><br />I am only using 35 gallons of my 66 gallon tank. After fueling up I only use 35 gallons before I need to refuel. I think I may have a broken pickup, but the fuel tank doesn't have a port near by to check or to make a repair. Any ideas? <br />It has 3 port holes in the deck:<br />Center Stern (outlet elbow)<br />Center center (gauge)<br />Forward port (inlet/vent)<br /><br />Opening the stern port allows me access to the elbow only, and I unscrewed it (though I think it was welded) and just the elbow came off. I could see down the pick up tube. THe problem is I think I have a pin hole in the pick up tube around midway. when the tank is half full it looses suction and gives the appearance that the tank is emty. Fill up the tank and she's good to go. Should I be able to inspect the pick up tube? Do I need to drain the tank and add an access plate to the tank??????
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,074
Re: Fuel Tank Problem

DJ, Normally the fuel pickup line comes out with the elbow. I cannot say I understand the setup you have. I think your theory of a leak in the pickup tube makes sense.<br /><br />I think the solution lies in removing the pickup tube somehow, and making sure it functions properly or gets repaired.
 
D

DjPro

Seaman
Joined
Sep 8, 2003
Messages
66
Re: Fuel Tank Problem

so is what your telling me, the outlet elbow should screw off and when it does, the pickup tube should come out at the same time? Whe I removed the elbow before, I could see down the hole and see the tube but didn't try to remove it. I also saw that when I removed the elbow, that there was a screen (filter) on the bottom of the elbow. One would think that this screen should be accessable. Does the pickup tube sit in a coupling or something? That when the elbow is tightened down seals it? Any help on this would be appreciated....
 
Mark42

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: Fuel Tank Problem

Something does not sound right with that pickup. Sure it's not the vent? 5/8" is common for vent hose - 3/8 for gas. Pickup tubes usually have the screen at the end of the tube, not on the elbow. And the tube us usually attached directly to the elbow so when you remove the elbow the tube pulls out with it.<br /><br />To get a better picture of what is going on you could remove the tank guage. That will open up a hole about 1.5 - 2" diameter and you can probably see better through that hole. Be sure to use a flashlight that is rated for explosive gas environment (I kid you not - stick a regular or cheap flashight in the hole, click it on and boom.) Also a small mirror on a stick could come in handy. This way you know what you are looking at.<br /><br />Also, I guess it is possable the pickup broke off and you are only running because of splash allows the pump to suck up gas until the level drops to the point that splash doesn't feed it anymore.
 
D

DjPro

Seaman
Joined
Sep 8, 2003
Messages
66
Re: Fuel Tank Problem

I'm sure it the outlet not the vent. When I unscrewed the elbow the threads were heavily stripped/corroded. I am going to try and remove it again this evening and see if I can remove the tube as well. THe gauge access is 5' from the pickup tube. and I have a full tank.....This is not going to be easy. It doesn't help that my console is on the fuel deck or I would just pull the deck cover and inspect it.
 
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