CLEANING THE FUEL TANKBY ROSS A RADZYKEWYCZ |
| The fuel tank is raised in the middle which allows fuel to be
"reservoired" in either side. There are two pipes, one from each side of
the fuel tank, which go to the fuel selector switch. The selector switch
"chooses" which of the two pipes is transferred to the fuel filter and
then on to the fuel pump, and then to the carburetor. By running
exclusively from either side, the non used side has the potential to
become blocked with sediment or the old fuel can create all sorts of new
substances as it changes chemically. You may need to drain and clean it,
but the easy way to tell is by switching the selector and seeing if you
get fuel. If you are fairly certain that you have a problem, then it may
be necessary to drain the tank and clean the pipe. The reserve side is
just under the cap where you fill the tank. The easy way to get to this
is to remove the left-side (from driver's seat looking forward) battery
and box, and the engine mount (easy to do). I suggest you open the
left-side escape hatch, so you have more room and you can remove the
battery and box without it being overhead.
MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT THERE ARE NO SPARKS, THAT NOTHING AROUND CAN SPARK, AND THERE ARE NO OPEN FLAMES BEFORE PROCEEDING. FUMES FROM GASOLINE/PETROL WILL EXPLODE IF EXPOSED TO FIRE OR SPARKS. And there will be lots of fumes, so open up your hatches too. |
| From there you can disconnect the fuel pipe at the fuel selector
and then undo it from the bottom of the tank. This action will cause all
of the fuel in the reserve side to drain, so you may wish to pump the
fuel out first although letting the fuel drain from the opening will
help clean it. (Big, smelly mess on ferret floor) Once you disconnect
the pipe from the tank, you can remove it and clean it. I used a piece
of wire to loosen the dirt and then I tapped it lightly to knock the
dirt out. After several loosening-knocking actions I was able to blow a
lot of the dirt out, but it all depends on how blocked the pipe has
become. Once you have cleaned the pipe you can reinstall it and add
fuel. You then have the option of removing the fuel filter canister and
manipulating the manual primer lever on the fuel pump (reached through
the opening which was previously blocked by the engine mount) to see if
you have a clear passage for fuel coming out of the pipe to the fuel
filter. If you choose to do this, make sure you do it with the fuel
selector switch in both positions to check both pipes/sides. Once you
are satisfied that the problem is alleviated, you simply put it all back
together.
Tony Knott suggests that you should try and keep the tank full as this will reduce condensation in the tank therefor less chance of rust!! |
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