Getting the rear tank workin'
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: On the prairie
Getting the rear tank workin'
I'm trying to get the rear tank to work on my truck. It hasn't been used the entire time my dad owned the truck (7+ years) and probably some time before that. I figured I could add some diesel supplement/fuel system cleaner and burn the stuff out if I kept a new filter on hand but when I tried hittin the selector switch the truck chugged and died. The next day I siphoned out five gallons of brown stuff that was I'm guessing formerly No. 2. It was below freezing when I tried it, I thought it was possible that all that old fuel had water in it and froze up the line. Any ideas? I'm thinking of putting in five gallons of fresh fuel and two or three cans of sea foam and letting it sit a couple days but I'm not sure. Anyone else recommissioned a neglected tank before?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Siphon hose or a cheap electric fuel pump.
Brown color could be indicating rust or algae in the tank, or it could just be old fuel.
Any idea how many gallons are in the tank?
Or does the gauge work?
Also when you change tanks with the key on but engine not running in a quiet place, can you hear the tank selector valve run?
Sort of a zziipp right under the drivers seat mounted inside the frame.
Was there any reason your dad did not use that tank?
Brown color could be indicating rust or algae in the tank, or it could just be old fuel.
Any idea how many gallons are in the tank?
Or does the gauge work?
Also when you change tanks with the key on but engine not running in a quiet place, can you hear the tank selector valve run?
Sort of a zziipp right under the drivers seat mounted inside the frame.
Was there any reason your dad did not use that tank?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: On the prairie
He just never had the need to use it and I'm pretty sure the guy before him didn't use it much either. The gauge read about 1/4 tank and I siphoned about five gallons out. It smelt like fuel...
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
OK the problem may be the fuel pick up tube is broken off.
That would let you run out of fuel at 1/4 tank, maybe a bit more or less.
Water tends to collect in tanks less than full, so it is also possible that water in the tank, which would have been frozen could be blocking the pickup line.
The best option would be drop the tank, and see what is actually in there, and fix the possible broken pickup tube while you are in there.
You could also just add 10 gallons of fuel and a quart of Diesel Kleen then carry a spare filter and hope for the best.
That would let you run out of fuel at 1/4 tank, maybe a bit more or less.
Water tends to collect in tanks less than full, so it is also possible that water in the tank, which would have been frozen could be blocking the pickup line.
The best option would be drop the tank, and see what is actually in there, and fix the possible broken pickup tube while you are in there.
You could also just add 10 gallons of fuel and a quart of Diesel Kleen then carry a spare filter and hope for the best.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
A heated shop for a couple hours would melt any ice, and then a siphon hose may pick up some of the water that may be present.
That would give you a better idea of what may be in the tank.
Just guessing, you will need four or so feet of hose inside the filler opening to reach the tank bottom, which you may be able to feel with your hand on the tank bottom.
That would give you a better idea of what may be in the tank.
Just guessing, you will need four or so feet of hose inside the filler opening to reach the tank bottom, which you may be able to feel with your hand on the tank bottom.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,500
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From: Michigan
This thread has got me thinking that I'd like to get my rear tank working again. I know it hasnt been used in a good 8 years. I tried to take the cap off before and the cap won't come off. It just spins......
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Peterborough, Ontario
If you have an oil furnace at home, some of that old fuel can be used in that, just try to watch/filter out the dirt etc and water. Best to do is let is set in a pail for a couple days to allow everything to settle and then not pour it all out.
In a pinch I've used some clean fuel to 'rinse' them, then dumped it into the furnace as well. I add some methyl hydrate to the oil furnace tank every now and then to help deal with water buildup in the tank anyway, I just add some more when dumping in older fuel etc. Filters for furnaces are a couple bucks, and the nozzles are about $10 here if I recall, so I'd much rather replace one of those now and then rather then a IP or injectors in an engine from dirty fuel.
In a pinch I've used some clean fuel to 'rinse' them, then dumped it into the furnace as well. I add some methyl hydrate to the oil furnace tank every now and then to help deal with water buildup in the tank anyway, I just add some more when dumping in older fuel etc. Filters for furnaces are a couple bucks, and the nozzles are about $10 here if I recall, so I'd much rather replace one of those now and then rather then a IP or injectors in an engine from dirty fuel.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
John you may have to remove the filler neck and spray some PB Blaster in from the tank side.
Or you may have to destroy the cap and just get a new one.
Off is a better place to do that, so no pieces or rust fall down into the tank.
Or you may have to destroy the cap and just get a new one.
Off is a better place to do that, so no pieces or rust fall down into the tank.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
for broken fuel cap if all else fails you can use a long self tapping screw and screw it in offset from center so it grabs the outer and inner parts to unscew it. Still will be usable to until you get a new one.
