Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

[winsarah]

Been awhile since I have needed the forum- So long that I picked up a Chris Craft 177 GD with OMC Cobra 4.3. Have removed the fuel tank- AFP 23 Gal plastic. Lots of bad gas/water/debris taken out of it. Blew through the anti-siphon while still on the tank, then blew through the pick-up tube with no anti-siphon and dislodged a pine needle among other junk. This was all done while still connected to the tank. I tried unscrewing the unit from the tank but it just turns- VERY stiffly- without unthreading. It is plastic female/metal male and then brass anti-siphon. I have heard of a screen but cannot see one. Should I continue to struggle getting it all separated to find a screen and if so how?
All the Best,
Win

#2
April 26th, 2008, 07:45 PM
a70eliminator
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Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank
Could post a photo of what your dealing with it would really help you get some answers? It's hard to visualize what you have there, if it's a brass or aluminum thread with a plastic coupling you should be able to seperate them, a little juice can do wonders and rather than just keep turning it you should maybe grab it with big channel lock or something and smack it with a mallet sometimes the shock will get it turning free, keep trying to get at that sock screen or whatevers in there.

#3
April 26th, 2008, 08:29 PM
winsarah
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Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank
Will try and post a photo tomorrow. In the meantime:
The threaded(metal) male section that threads into the plastic topside of the tank is what just keeps turning- I could heat it a little? The tank is free of all gas residue.
Thanks!
Win

#4
April 26th, 2008, 11:17 PM
a70eliminator
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Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank
Ok, thats a better description, the plastic female thread is molded as part of the tank and you have a male fitting threading into that, when you try to thread it out it turns like but it's not threading itself out, that sounds like the threads have been pulled (stripped) and the only way to get it out is to pull hard on the fitting at the same time you unscrew it, hopefully you can get it to grab hold of a thread and it will then start to thread itself out normally, you can try heating it up a little before you try pull threading it out, but only just a little to soften up the thread and nothing more.

#5
April 27th, 2008, 04:22 PM
winsarah
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Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank
Ok, here are a couple of photos. For the life of me I cannot get this thing out.
Thanks!
Win
Attached Thumbnails


#6
April 27th, 2008, 04:48 PM
a70eliminator
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Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank
Nice pictures, comon guys no one else wanting to chime in on this one but me. Looks like nothing more than a thru hull type bulkhead fitting, I would think if you grab the big nut with the channel locks and grab the other fitting with a cresent wrench, screw the big nut counter-clockwise while holding the top fitting and something is going to turn, when you say the whole thing is turning I can't see it because if you hold the top fitting it cant turn without unthreading, shheww did I say that right.

#7
April 27th, 2008, 04:58 PM
winsarah
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Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank
I can get the nut off no problem. Once it is off I then try the to unthread whole unit. It seems to catch every 1/4 turn- never gets easier to turn in any direction. There is not any thing on the inside holding it - just the molded plastic. Would the screen be with-in the tube in the photo? Thank you so much for staying with me on this!
Win

#8
April 27th, 2008, 05:11 PM
a70eliminator
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Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank
Sorry I have no idea whats in there but someone will come along soon that knows exactly what you'll need to do, get a plumbers inspection mirror and maybe you can see whats inside.

#9
April 27th, 2008, 05:17 PM
winsarah
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Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank
Thanks, will try a mirror. Since I dislodged all the crap by blowing through the tube do you think it is still an issue? Meaning am I just trying to get this out to reveal a screen/no screen and it is a moot point?
Best,
Win

#10
April 27th, 2008, 08:26 PM
winsarah
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Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank
I'm thinking of just putting it all back together and giving it a go. Any thoughts?

#11
Yesterday, 10:05 AM
winsarah
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Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank
So if there is no filter in the pick-up tube then will the fuel/water separator filter be enough?

#12
Today, 10:33 AM
winsarah
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Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank
Can this post be moved back to the Mercruiser, Volvo and OMC I/O or Inboard Engine Problems board?

 

[JCF350]

Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

You should have at least some kind of screen/filter in the tank to keep the anti siphon valve protected. If you can't find the right "kind" of assembly the tank should be replaced.

 

[winsarah]

Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

Here are some photos-
Suggestions on Removing this to check for the screen? As stated above, I cannot get this out.
Thanks,
Win

 

[JCF350]

Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

Can you see the tube from the other hole near by?

This kind of problem is going to take patience because of the connection type and the materials used for it. So it'll take a bit to cover this through a forum.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

IMO, It looks like the big square nut is threaded, (as it should be,) have you tried to unscrew the big square nut (counterclockwise), while holding back on the big flat nut?, it should come out then for you to examine.

 

[winsarah]

Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

I have taken the nut off, but no go on getting the unit out after that. Is it possible that the aluminum that is threaded into the plastic is only threaded for that nut? If so, I only have an eighth of an inch or so to grab onto(and ruin) to then see if I can unscrew the part that holds the anti-siphon valve.
Thanks,
Win

 

[Don S]

Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

 

[JCF350]

Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

Good depiction Don. I was assuming a corrosion problem.

 

[winsarah]

Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

Hi Don, thanks for the very detailed instructions(love the visuals!). I have done that and it just sinks the nut further into the plastic. In other words, the nut stays in place but the unit is then forced deeper in to the plastic.
Win

 

[Don S]

Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

Well, It's either going to come out or not. If it does, you may win. If it doesn't, then you set there with a tank you can't use.
So, what are YOU going to do???

 

[winsarah]

Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

I'll be the nut or conquer the nut- Bottom line is: have cleared with air the crap in the tube- do I need to pull this thing to determine that there is a screen and in the process mess the tank up? Or can I just put it all back together at this point and take this aspect(the fuel tank and components) out of the problem solving equation and move toward the water/fuel separator.
Initial problem was stalling at higher RPM's.
Best,
Win

 

[JCF350]

Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

The screen is there for large debris and to keep it out of the valve. Running it this way may cause clogging at the valve or cause it to leak. The anti-siphon is a safety device and has to function properly, if it's working your okay if it is not working your not. So take your pick I guess.

Also if the entire assembly has been rotating in the fiberglass you got make that is sealed also before reassembly.

Me-thinks you need to find someone with the skills to fix this problem hands on.
(which would be to cut the old tube head piece off, drill out threads, clean the tank fitting threads, remove the pieces and debris from the tank, install a new tube assembly making sure every thing is sealed during reassembly)

 

[MikDee]

Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

Ok, at this time, I'd get out the old side wheel grinder with a new thin cut off wheel, and cut off everything here flush with the tank (carefully!),,, then remove the leftover pieces from inside the tank, and start all over again from scratch. Go to a good boating supply and get a new matching replacement,,, I know, I've seen pickups like these there before.

 

[capecodder116]

Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

I totally agree with Mikdee....I'd cut it off seal it up and start again. It isn't rocket sciene it's only a plastic fuel tank with fittings. Once you cut the fittings off pull the p/u out as Mikdee suggests then fabricate a patch to cover the hole, then install new p/u and fittings.....I've done this with my 100 gallon alluminum tank...had the same issues you are having....

 

[weider1717]

Re: Pick-up tube removal from fuel tank

wow! i didn't know AFP/RDS ALUMINUM fabricators offered plastic tanks!?

I just ordered a new aluminum one from them an was telling them how i wish i could have my exact tank but made in plastic..they didn't mention they made plastic ones tho? WEIRD

 

[jeffryb]

is there some kind of snake that i could run threw the pick up line from above the tank to try to push the screen or debree out of the pick up tube into the tank