Fuel Tank: blocked baffle or baffled

[V Mad]

I seem to have a blocked baffle in my fuel tank. A couple of times the pump has been unable to suck fuel because the baffled area is empty; I can confirm this by blowing back down the pickup pipe which did not make the bubbling sound. I eventally cleared it by blowing/sucking and adding more fuel, but the other day it cut out, barely restarted, and then I put in more fuel which seemed to help even though I already had about 1/3 of a tank. Maybe the fuel needed to come over the top of the baffle?

When I did manage to get some fuel out it was brown and cloudy.

I have previously had the pickup pipe out, and it is touching the bottom of the tank so I think its not a short pickup pipe problem.

I am going to try a run out to Farnham Classic Car Meeting today, but would really like to get to the bottom of the problem. Is there something special I can use to flush out old sediment or should I just take out the tank and give it a bloody good shake up?

[KOY 23]

Chris.

I find petrol a very good cleaning agent.

No Chris, fuel does not need to come over the top of the baffle, it flows through the slots at the bottom. yours appear to be blocked.

The only proper way to deal with the serious amount of crud you appear to have is to remove the tank and turn it upside down to get the muck out through the filler.

Removing the gauge sender gives you a good internal view.

Is the filter clean?

[flying farmer]

There is obviously a lot of sludge in the bottom of the tank. Realisticaly the only solution is to remove the tank and give it a good shake and swill out. I have found hosing the tank out then putting a handfull of gravel inside before giving it a good shake and swill will remove a lot of loose rust and deposits, just make sure the tank is dried out properly before you refit it

Neil

[V Mad]

Neil, I think some gravel is probably helpful to shift any sediment. I think that when a tank dries out as this had been for years, the sediment probably solidifies. I was kinda hoping that driving the car with the fuel swilling around it would loosen the sediment, but I think thats probably wishful thinking.

Had a nice run out to Farnham yesterday along the Hogs Back with great views of Surrey downs, but made sure the tank was well topped up.

Cheers