Using a plastic fitting for a pickup tube

[HenryB]

I capped off the pickup tube in my polypropylene 50 gallon fuel tank. I am tempted to use a polypropylene threaded bulkhead fitting for the new pickup tube. Will that pose a problem?

 

[HenryB]

Re: Using a plastic fitting for a pickup tube

I would be concerned about it cracking from vibration.

That?s a good point. A two or three day search of the internet has not turned up a single incidence of a poly bulkhead fitting used in a poly fuel tank. I found a a couple of no-nos, though.

My other solution is using a brass fitting but the one I came up with has ? npt threads on both sides. It will require a bit of cobbling up, because all the pickup tubes I've come across have 3/8 npt threads, but a 1/4" npt aught to do the job.

The poly fitting looks sturdy enough to lift a truck. It has reverse threads and it only costs four bucks.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Using a plastic fitting for a pickup tube

Why not put a 1/4" Thread by 3/8" Barbed fitting on the inside and slip on a piece of fuel hose for the pickup.
Silicon fuel hose should outlast the Poly Tank.

 

[HenryB]

Re: Using a plastic fitting for a pickup tube

Why not put a 1/4" Thread by 3/8" Barbed fitting on the inside and slip on a piece of fuel hose for the pickup.
Silicon fuel hose should outlast the Poly Tank.

Yes, I will be using the brass fitting with a ? npt x 3/8 barb and try to acquire the silicone tube but I think nylon would be a choice, too.

I am in internet search (no real luck yet) for a brass ? npt male x ? npt (or 3/8 npt) female 90 deg. elbow.

This is what I?ve found so far on ebay ?Lot of 10 45? Flare 90? Female Elbow Brass Fittings 3/8" OD Tube x 1/4" Male NPT? but the flare has me wondering if it might be a compression fitting and not an npt thread.

 

[HenryB]

Re: Using a plastic fitting for a pickup tube

This is the bulkhead fitting I will be using "Webasto 906-002 Brass Syphon Tube Tank Installation Kit"

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Using a plastic fitting for a pickup tube

A company called Weather Head makes a huge amount of brass fittings.

Try a NAPA or auto parts store must carry a assortment of fuel fittings.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Using a plastic fitting for a pickup tube

If you are in the US, Home Depot and Lowe's carry brass fittings.

Hint:
At the top of this page, Click "My Profile", and fill in your "Location" Info. (Major City, State)
It will assist in getting answers specific to where you live.

 

[HenryB]

Re: Using a plastic fitting for a pickup tube

If you are in the US, Home Depot and Lowe's carry brass fittings.

Hint:
At the top of this page, Click "My Profile", and fill in your "Location" Info. (Major City, State)
It will assist in getting answers specific to where you live.

[SUB][/SUB]

Thank you all for your kind response. All the parts are either in or on order. I will make sure all parts are in before cutting the hole. All gas is siphoned out. The tank was flushed with water for one hour and siphoned. The tank was vacuumed and is ready for the hole. All?s going well so far:

Brass ? NPT x 1/3 barb (for the 3/8 plastic pickup tube). Available at West Marine.
($4.29 plus tax)

Webasto 906-002 Brass Syphon Tube Tank Installation Kit (all the parts will fit through the 1-1/2? fuel sender hole in the tank). Available at Sure Marine Service.
($29.38 including shipping)

Brass ? NPT male x ? NPT female 90 deg. Attwood fitting. Available at Ebay.
($15.95 including shipping)

Brass Pipe Fitting, Reducing Adapter, 3/8? NPT Female x ?? NPT Male. Available at Ebay. ($4.95 including shipping)

Moeller Marine Aluminum Anti-Syphon Barb, 3/8? NPT. Available at Ebay.
($15.83 including shipping)

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Using a plastic fitting for a pickup tube

Why not put a 1/4" Thread by 3/8" Barbed fitting on the inside and slip on a piece of fuel hose for the pickup.
Silicon fuel hose should outlast the Poly Tank.

"Silicon" is glass -- "silicone" is rubber like. However, silicone is not to be used for gasoline as it will swell up and fall apart.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Using a plastic fitting for a pickup tube

before you use a power tool to drill a hole, fill the tank back up with water to just below the top. no air space = no fumes and no explosion risk.... In the future you can do this without even flushing, just drain and fill. Never use a vacuum cleaner in a fuel tank tho... any fumes are drawn in and expelled right through the non ign protected motor.

After the flushing you did, the risk was low but just for future info, I'd rather drill a tank full to the top with gas than use a vacuum cleaner in an empty one.

If you really want to get fancy, fill the tank with water and leave the fill hose going such that you have very slight pressure... use a battery powered drill so as to avoid electrocution risk.... the slight positive pressure will carry any drill chips out of the tank instead of into it as the water flows out.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Using a plastic fitting for a pickup tube

Another trick often used when welding used metal tanks where water would would not be appreciated, is to drain the tank and then insert an open compressed air hose through an open fitting.
Keeping a good amount of air flowing will dry out the tank and keep it ventilated to prevent any residual fumes from becoming concentrated enough to become flammable.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Using a plastic fitting for a pickup tube

we've used a hose from the exhaust pipe of a running truck before....... that's an old pipeline welder's trick