Why isn't my gas tank giving up the goodies?

badusmaximus · **Posted:** Thu Mar 29, 2012 3:23 pm

Ever since I pulled my tank out and POR-15'ed it, my gas tank has been flowing really irregularly.

Here's what the fuel in line looks like: tank-->line-->filter-->line-->electric pump-->line-->filter-->holley regulator-->weber 32/36 carb. from the carb I have a fuel return line going back to the tank.

I've replaced all filters and the pump (twice) now. When I take the fuel sender line off and put into a clear bottle and turn the pump on, the pump works, but nothing comes out besides some dribbles.

It's not always like this, occasionally I can get a flow going but even then it's sporadic. Is there something really simple I'm missing here?

UtahSleeper · **Posted:** Thu Mar 29, 2012 6:56 pm

So, there is no change that anything has clogged up the fuel line at the tank? Maybe the por15 built up or something? Does the gas get pulled up out of the tank, or flow through the bottom?

badusmaximus · **Posted:** Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:42 am

I'm about 90% positive the lines are not clogged at the tank. And they are the type that come out of the top, so that the fuel has to be pulled out of the tank

UtahSleeper · **Posted:** Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:34 am

Do you still have the screen on the feed line? To me it seems like it would be some intermitent blockage. Does it do this on all levels of gas? (full/almost empty)

I assume the lines were cleaned when you did the tank. Maybe blow some air through the feed line to make sure? Also the pump test you did, was that through all the line to the carb, or at the pump? I assume your still using the stock lines, except your filters?

badusmaximus · **Posted:** Fri Mar 30, 2012 4:44 pm

Not sure what you mean by the screen on the feed line. Besides the two filters, there is no screen. It could be blockage, but if so, wouldn't it settle at the bottom of the tank instead of being sucked up against the feed line inside the tank? Tank is currently ~80% full (i'm guessing because the gauge is inoperable at the moment), and I have not been able to run the engine enough to get a good gauge of what levels it acts up at.

When I pulled the tank, I did not touch the lines, however I'm somewhat sure the issue isn't there. I've done tests of the pump on the upstream side (sucking from bottle into engine) and downstream (directly after pump, and right before carb pushing into a bottle). Fuel lines are all stock.

My guess is that there's just some phantom high pressure area in there somewhere that's not letting the pump do its thing. either that or I have a filter set up inappropriately somewhere.

Forecast for tomorrow is mid 70's so and the car's ass end is south facing out of the garage right now, so i'm going to dink around and hopefully figure out the culprit here.

In the meantime, starting to piece together parts for the AE86 coilover swap. Doesn't matter if it runs as long as it looks good right?

UtahSleeper · **Posted:** Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:05 pm

LOL!!! Damn right!! Doesn't need to move, just sit and look pretty.

If the fuel doesn't pump when you are checking right at the pump then it seems the only location would be the line running from the tank to the pump. Did maybe one of the rubber lines get pinched with tank reinstall? Reversed fuel filter maybe. Have you considered removing the filters just to limit resistance since the tank is clean?

And the reason I was think the feed line is with all the crap you were pumping out of the tank before. Some of it could have stayed in line and dried when you cleaned the tank. Just thinking out loud.

badusmaximus · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:49 pm

I don't think there's anything in there because i cleaned and sealed it. I had it pumping for a second earlier, but then it petered out again.

When I take the line off after the pump and run the pump, nothing comes out but air, with a gurgling sound. My only guess now is that I set up the pump weird. I know that the pump itself is set up correctly (ie, running the right direction) but I am wondering if I have it oriented wrong. It is currently facing vertically with the inlet side on the bottom. Maybe that's just enough force that it can't overcome it? I'm going to spend the afternoon experimenting with different orientations I guess.

UtahSleeper · **Posted:** Sun Apr 01, 2012 12:34 am

Let us know. Is there a possibility that the feed line that goes into the tank got a small hole somewhere? That would cause the pump to struggle getting any fluid.

badusmaximus · **Posted:** Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:43 pm

I went through it yesterday, and replaced all cracked fuel lines and tightened everything down, reoriented pump, etc.

In doing so, I got to thinking, and stuck a long wire down into the tank, just to see if there was anything in there. I'm about 90% sure someone siphoned all my gas out! >:0 Guess it's time to buy another 5 gal and a locking cover.

In other news, I just picked up a couple weber 40dcoes with manifold for $700! Looks like I'm going to be going for the build 2tc(2tb?) over the 4ag for now. Going to wait until I can afford better cam, valves, springs, manifold and bring that puppy's power up a bit.

UtahSleeper · **Posted:** Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:54 am

Sucks about the gas. People fucking suck!!

And grats on the intake goodies.

badusmaximus · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 12:16 am

being an az registered car in ut has its advantages...

Why isn't my gas tank giving up the goodies?

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