Siphoning diesel out of the tank sender hole...
 

Dieselers,
Recently, my car has been running rough (shaking and coughing) after only about 16 gallons of driving, and from what I've read in the archieves, I probably have a half-gunked up fuel tank screen. A new one is on its way from FastLane. The screen is on the bottom of the tank which means that unless the tank is dry, lots of diesel will pour out when the fuel lines are disconnected. My question: is it possible to remove the fuel tank sender and siphon out diesel from the top? I haven't had a chance to take a look, I'm just theorizing. Maybe someone has already done it. It seems like it would be a good way to make sure that the tank is as empty as I can get it. Thanks.

Alex

It might be easier to stick a hose down into the tank through the fillneck. Then you could get a hand pump or even one of those pumps that runs off a drill, to get hte tank emptied.

I think I've got a fuel leak under the car, so Iw ill need to do something similar before too long...I'll probably replace the screen while I'm at it, just to make sure it's happy. :)

Out of curiousity, how long would it take to prime the fuel system if the car ran dry? Thanks.

Alex

I haven't needed to prime my car yet :)

On my truck, after changing out the injector pump, fuel filter, and dealing with empty injector lines, I think it took about a half hour's worth of trying (injector lines cracked, 30 seconds cranking, 30 seconds sitting to let the starter cool down). OTOH, my truck doesn't have a hand pump, and also has a small mechanical fuel lift pump...

Actually, on that note, I've always wondered...is the only fuel pump on the 617 the injector pump, or is there a "lift" pump anywhere?

Thanks!

I replaced the fuel screen last year on my 81. I siphoned some of the filler neck and then just pulled the line and let the rest run into a can under the car. Amazing how much fuel was left. Be ready with something to plug that line and rehearse the move before opening the line. I got some fuel on the floor, but not much. Get extra cans ready to use, you may need them.
Screen is not had to change at all. Just threads in there.

OD,
How much fuel was left in the tank after you siphoned out of the filler neck? I'd be using my topsider for the siphoning job.

Alex

More than six gallons. I just couldn't believe it. I really wasn't set to handle that much fuel. Fortunately I had a bolt ready to thread in the fuel line to stop the fuel. Had the rear of the car set up high on stands and I had a five gallon ready to take up the fuel. Never would have thought that wasn't enough.
If I ever do that job again I would gather up plenty of empty fuel containers, and be ready with some vise grips to pinch off the fuel line. As I recall I found the old fuel line there to be rotten and had to replace that. Don't recall the size.
The worst of it was that that screen wasn't plugged. My problem turned out as failed glow plugs. But I got a real nice rinse for the fuel tank out of it.

OD,
So you also removed and cleaned out the tank as well? Wow, 6 gallons? Where was the fuel gauge needle when you did this? Thanks.

Alex

alex - i think i remember reading you can access the fuel tank sender unit by taking out the first aid kit insert to get to the top of the tank.
maybe your sender is gunked up too.

I didn't remove the tank. What I meant is draining all the fuel will effectively get any water out of the tank. There was some crud in there.
The guage was down to where the light was on. I thought at the time maybe it had two or three gallons left. Since then I have found the low fuel light comes on early.
If I had to do it again I would run it down further of course, but I would still be prepared to handle more fuel. Just get plenty of cans or whatever right there and have a plan to handle it.

Dieselhead,

You probably wouldn't need a new filter. Its just a screen and can be easily cleaned. That's how I did mine. Works perfect.

You guys were lucky. I got 20+ gallons out when I drained mine.

Strange how all the fuel would run out of the fuel line but wouldn't supply engine with enough fuel when about 5 gallons left in tank.

P E H

Just don't use your mouth, whatever you do. I have done that a few times, and it isn't the smartest thing. However diesel does taste better than gas :D

Springtime is bugtime too. If the bugs are out and about then the algae is too. If you're going to go to the trouble of cleaning the tank screen then check the tank bottom for a drain (it will be a tough one to break loose the first time). Take out as much fuel as you can through the top, then the rest of the water and gunk through the bottom. You can jack the corners of the car to tip the corners of the tank. Put all back together, biocide at full dose, and have plenty of fuel filters at the ready.

If you have access to an air compressor an easy way to prime is as follows:

Unhook fuel line at filter and put a can under it.

Now go to tank fill and pump air in the tank. Make a seal with a rag.

The pressurized tank will force fuel up the fuel line in a few minutes. All air will now be out of lines..

Rehook line at filter and use primer on lift pump to expel any remaining air.

Good luck Mike