Cleaning fuel tanks

Ta John C. This is probably a dumb question, but what's an uplift pump? I have the main tank plus a reserve. When I switch to the reserve tank (via a solenoid switch), I believe the same fuel pump operates. An interesting aspect of my problem is that I was running on the main tank and noticed that the fuel level wasn't dropping. Turns out that fuel was being sucked from reserve tank into the main tank. When the reserve tank was absolutely dry, my problems started.

I get dirty fuel about every 2nd trip.
Some people have problems with tyres, I have problems with fuel. :o)

I only have the one 135l tank, and the mechanical fuel injection pump on the engine has a small low pressure lift pump, and there is the one fuel filter in the system. When I put in the 2nd filter near the tank the lift pump had problems getting enough fuel and I couldn't get full power.
So I put in a electric fuel pump near the tank to act as a lift pump to help lift the fuel to the engine. It will run without it, but I don't get full power due to fuel starvation.
That 2nd filter is on the side of the chassis rail nice and easy to get y\to, but up out of the way. It is a landcruiser filter and the replacement costs about $9.00 ea,. I take a few on a trip and it is only a 5 minute job to replace it if I feel the power drop off due to dirt building up.

Wish you luck.

regards

John C

Mfewster
Must use both tanks. all the time !
no question about it !
Cheers
Bucky

Hello Bucky. I don't understand how my main/auxilliary tank are connected, but I don't think they are both on line all the time (Well, I don't think they have been in the past). Previously I have been able to choose either tank with the solenoid switch and the chosen tank would drop in level as i drove while the other reamined full. If I wasn't paying attenion and ran a tank out, I needed to swap to the new tank and prime the pump before I could run again. This seems to show that they ran independently. Last week, I was running on the main tank and it definitely kept filling itself up from the aux tank which ran completely dry, which is when my problems started.
Suggestions from anyone as to what is happening welcomed.

Agree mate.
Why muck about trying to save only a couple of bucks.
Either pay someone to do it for you, or get dirty and do it yourself.
Cheers

Agree with hairs and bucky.

Best solution is to pull the tank out to clean it.

But a quick clean pouring fuel through gets the worst out.

When at home and you can run the tank down to only 10 litres or so left, not such a big job. About an hours work to get it out or put it in, now I know where to put the jack and where the fuel hoses connect.

Usually give it a repaint at the same time to cover the scratches. My after market tank is now 17 years old and been out a couple of times. I put the standard tank in while I do up the replacement tank.