Fuel tank line obstruction Options

[shag]

Hey, I removed my fuel tank, had it blasted and am trying to re-install it. BUT there is a blockage in the larger (of the two) fuel lines. It seems to have been there since new?The vehicle is a late '73 and to the best of my knowledge looks like it is original. How am I suppose to insert a (maybe) 3" long screen into this fuel outlet with this circular thing approximately 1/2" inside there? I am trying to get the car up and running to make to the Porsche Swap Meet next weekend.
Thanks for your help.

[hndyhrr]

Hey, I removed my fuel tank, had it blasted and am trying to re-install it. BUT there is a blockage in the larger (of the two) fuel lines. It seems to have been there since new?The vehicle is a late '73 and to the best of my knowledge looks like it is original. How am I suppose to insert a (maybe) 3" long screen into this fuel outlet with this circular thing approximately 1/2" inside there? I am trying to get the car up and running to make to the Porsche Swap Meet next weekend.
Thanks for your help.

The fuel screen fits into the bottom of the gas tank. The fittings at the bottom where the fuel hose fits to the tank. the screen is connected to the supply line and sits inside tank.


If you have a blockage in the line then the lines should be replaced. If fuel lines are plastic those are as old as the car and should be changed out for you and your cars safety.

[fiacra]

Hey, I removed my fuel tank, had it blasted and am trying to re-install it. BUT there is a blockage in the larger (of the two) fuel lines. It seems to have been there since new?The vehicle is a late '73 and to the best of my knowledge looks like it is original. How am I suppose to insert a (maybe) 3" long screen into this fuel outlet with this circular thing approximately 1/2" inside there? I am trying to get the car up and running to make to the Porsche Swap Meet next weekend.
Thanks for your help.

It may be me (in fact it probably is me), but I'm a bit confused by this question. Is the fuel line blocked, or are you saying that the fuel outlet in the tank is obstructed by something? Those are two very different things. In my mind fuel line is what connects to the fuel outlet/nipple attached to the tank, but I know terms like this are often used interchangeably. I'd like to assume you are talking about the fuel outlet since you are talking about the tank, but you then mention fuel lines. You say the tank was blasted, but is it possible you mean that you had the inside cleaned and resealed? If you had it resealed then the sealer could be obstructing the outlet if it wasn't done correctly. If that happened you'll need to clear that out. In fact, I'd go so far as to say you should probably just get a new tank as the sealer is notorious for failing and gumming everything up. I would also guess it is possible that something has fallen into or was put into the tank and is now blocking the outlet? One method for cleaning a tank is to put a bunch of washers or nuts in and then agitating the tank. One could have been left behind. You could give the tank a good shake and see if anything is rattling around in there. As far as replacing the sock/strainer, that should be fairly straight forward. You take the large nut off that is holding in the fuel nipple, remove the nipple, the sock/strainer can then be removed (if it didn't come out with the nipple), and you can then replace it. Take a good look at the diagram posted above by hndyhrr. That should make it clear.

A picture would be really helpful to clarify what you are truly asking about. And no, if there is truly a blockage in the fuel outlet it has not been there since new otherwise you would have a zero mileage car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Jamie]

Hey, I removed my fuel tank, had it blasted and am trying to re-install it. BUT there is a blockage in the larger (of the two) fuel lines. It seems to have been there since new?The vehicle is a late '73 and to the best of my knowledge looks like it is original. How am I suppose to insert a (maybe) 3" long screen into this fuel outlet with this circular thing approximately 1/2" inside there? I am trying to get the car up and running to make to the Porsche Swap Meet next weekend.
Thanks for your help.

I recommend skipping the in tank screen and placing a filter in line outside the tank instead. This is easily inspected without having to empty tank, and I never had much luck installing those small screens without damage or leakage problems. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[rick 918-S]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thisthreadisworthlesswithoutpics.gif)

[bdstone914]

Your description is confusing. Post a picture of the nipple area inside of the tank and a bottom view of the nipples from the outside. Maybe are describing the old screen stuck in the nipple. If so dig it out. Dig you cover the nipples when blasting?

[shag]

Hello Gentlemen, I have never posted a picture before but I will try. The problem is inside the tank there is a metal piece that will not allow my screen to be installed correctly. It is circular and close to the opening. I will try right now to take and post a picture.

[shag]

I took a picture and have no idea how to submit it on this web page.

[saigon71]

Pics:

[rick 918-S]

That does not look normal. I will see if I have a tank out I can get to and pull the line off.

[Artfrombama]

Is the old screen still in the tank?

[Superhawk996]

That side with the restriction closest to the weld flange is for the return line.

The filter sock goes into the hole that is completely open into the tank.



And ditch the teflon tape on the threads. The seal is established by fiber washers as shown in PET. Fiber washers are available at Harbor Freight, Amazon, Granger, etc. Use the right parts and you won’t have leaks. The teflon tape on the threads won’t do anything to seal the tank.

[shag]

Yup, Peter Egan is right. I did not remove the tubing, the mechanic at the shop did that. My mistake was looking at the tubing and trying to install it without knowing which port it came from. The screen would not fit into the smaller size port easily causing me to believe it came from larger port. After fooling around for quite a while Ed figured it out!
Now how about the rubber spacers, can anyone tell me exactly how or where they go?

[shag]

Rick, Thank you for trying, I really appreciate that.

[shag]

Can you install a gas filter between the fuel tank and before the fuel pump?

[fiacra]

Yup, Peter Egan is right. I did not remove the tubing, the mechanic at the shop did that. My mistake was looking at the tubing and trying to install it without knowing which port it came from. The screen would not fit into the smaller size port easily causing me to believe it came from larger port. After fooling around for quite a while Ed figured it out!
Now how about the rubber spacers, can anyone tell me exactly how or where they go?

Glad the problem with the strainer got solved!

Rubber spacers? Not sure what you are talking about. Perhaps the "rubber buffers" on the side of the tank (#2 and #3 in the diagram posted by hndyhrr)? It can be helpful to consult the PET and look at the diagrams if you are unsure how something goes together. Go to the tech notes section on Jeff Bowlsby's website and you'll find a link to the PET. Or, here's a direct link:

https://bowlsby.net/914/Classic/zTN_Man01C.pdf

Again, a picture of things you are asking about is the best way to get a direct and helpful answer (as you just found out). Putting pictures in is quite easy. When in doubt on how to do something, go to the FAQ section on this website. Here's a link to the instructions on putting pictures in your post:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=13637

[Jamie]

Can you install a gas filter between the fuel tank and before the fuel pump?

Yes, a good practice to enhance maintenance, been there and done that years ago when I moved the pump to the front on my 73!

[shag]

Thanks to Jamie (will see you at Octeenerfest) and all who replied to help. It is really appreciated. Figured out where to put the spacers, that just fell out when the tank was removed, and re-in stalled everything including a new screen in the fuel tank, a new filter between the tank and the fuel pump that co-exists with a filter just before entering the engine compartment. The gas should be pure by the time it reaches the engine!!!
Once again I would like to thank all of you who replied. This is a great website. Thanks very much to Peter Egan who was and probably is always right and bdstone who I will meet on Friday at Carlisle for the Porsche Show on Saturday. The 914 was running tonight at 10:00 PM. Just need to re-check all the fuel connections to insure there are no leaks again tomorrow and cover everything back up and will be ready for Friday night in Carlisle PA. Once again THANK YOU ALL for your quick responses and for trying to help me out in my time of need.

[fiacra]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) Way to go! Always a good feeling when you figure things out and hear that engine running again.

[porscheteck914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) Way to go! Always a good feeling when you figure things out and hear that engine running again.

Do you think the washer in the hole was put in the tank at the factory to keep the assembly line worker that put in fuel sock , to make sure he always put the sock in the correct hole ??? I would defiantly go cross eyed after assembling 200 or more fuel lines a day !!!