Fuel pickup issue

[BirdBus]

After weeks of wrenching, rebuilding the fuel pump, blowing out fuel lines, changing all filters, rebuilding the water separator, and breaking the pump key I've narrowed my fuel issue down to the tank, specifically the pickup tube down in the tank. I've removed the door and disconnected the intake line (larger fuel line) and ran fuel through it. The absolute last option was a clogged tank line, supposed I should have started there instead on going from back to front.

The pickup tube is clogged. Any tips on what to use to run down 3' into the tube? Pipe cleaner type of thing?

The bracket is welded on so removal is currently not an option. Pics to come. Attached is a basic example, although I can't remove mine, YET

[uncle ned]

If the pickup is clogged it is probably time to remove the tank for a good cleaning also.

Speaking from experience.

uncle ned

[Templar52]

Try to introduce one of thoses mini wire camera inside the fuel tank. Of course ,you will have to empty the tank first. If it seem clean around the sucking aera at the botom end of the tube,the problem should be somewere else. But if you can see some debris,time to remoove the tank for a cleanup. If you emptied the fuel tank by the base plug,check if some debris are comming out of the tank. You can also try to run the bus with an auxiliary fuel tank and check if the engine is running strong and steady. That will indicated you the conditions of the fuel lines.
Good luck

[BirdBus]

That was my conclusion. The bus is able to run from a temporary fuel tank. I'm for sure the pickup is clogged, I even tried to blow into it with an obvious I was able to run compressed air but I had to crank up the pressure to 60 psi before I even got any bubbling.

My options are:

1- Remove the tank and clean
2- Drill a new pickup area and run a new line
3- clean out the existing tube with some stranded wire/ ground wire/ pipe cleaner of sort.

Either way, I think I'm going to drain the tank and let the rest run from the drain plug.

Any tips on removing the tank. It seems straight forward, just big as hell.

J

[pd41044039]

My gut says the clog is either at the bottom of the tube or more likely, inside that elbow.  I would remove the barb & look there for accumulated bits of who knows what.  I think if it was at the bottom of the tube, it would have blown out way before 60lbs of air.

BTW, the tube may be too long to get out while the tank is installed, but look inside the bus & see if there is a cabinet or something above the fitting where you can drill an access with a hole saw to remove the pickup & put a removable patch in the cabinet or bus floor afterward.  You might have to do this again one day.

[Uncle Augie]

I had to crank up the pressure to 60 psi before I even got any bubbling.

Usually there is a screen that keeps any large debris from entering the line, it sounds like there is corrosion on this screen, possibly because we let out buses sit and you end up with water in your tank from condensation.

[buswarrior]

Do the simple stuff first...

Why pull the tank when you don't need to?

Get that fuel pick-up cleared out, get a camera into that tank and make some decisions based on real observations.

With the prices of a computer video chat camera, one of those fancy things from the auto shop, or accessories for cell phones...if a busnut can't afford a camera suitable for shoving into the fuel neck, they can't afford a coach?

Somewhere in the archives, this board or BCM, I wrote up the tricks for pulling an MCI tank, it has a bump in the bottom, it has to go up, as well as out, and it is already against the ceiling of the bay...

Use the search, and link it here for the masses.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[ibjj45]

Hey Birdbus, if you decide you can use a 5.5 mm o.d., 6 LED, USB camera (jpeg) that looks straight ahead, I'll loan you mine, if you pay shipping both ways. It's new (used once) and has a 30 inch (770 mm) reach. ibjj2@sbcglobal.net , 956-421-2589 Harlingen, Texas    ibjj

[BirdBus]

Welp, I am definitely opposed to removing that beast. I purchased a few pipe cleaners and drained the tank. The first one just bent and wouldn't shove in, the second on was a spring core and was able to clean the top but it got stuck half way down and broke    Now That line is surely clogged by gunk and a pipe cleaner. Fuk me

My next option is to grind the damn bracket off OR just drill a new pick-up line somewhere. The return line is doing its job so I may just find some after market pickup tube and drill the appropriate hole size. I'm indifferent.

For now she sits in the driveway sucking air

[Templar52]

Try to remove  the fuel pick up by cutting it smal length at a time. That way you will be certain that it was the problem. Tell us what you have over that fuel line inside your bus . I dont think that it is a good idea to drill a hole to install a new fuel line.
You better drill a hole in your floor and have a permanent way to get to your fuel line. The real problem here is to know what material is cloging your pipe. If there is some more of thoses debries inside the tank.....the problem will come back soon.
Whent you drain your tank did you see someting coming out of the tank. If you enter your finger,can you toutch some debris ?
I think that you should try to have a tiny camera and inspect the tank by the drain hole.
That is my opignon

[BirdBus]

I'm going to take uncle Ned's advice and remove the tank and get that thing cleaned out thoroughly. I figure if there is enough gunk to clog it, I'm only going to delay my problem and end up cussing on the side of the road.

I have a friend with an engine hoist/ shop crane that is kind enough to donate for the weekend.

I still have the problem of the pickup tube being clogged in there. Once removed I can safely grind the plate off, or use a hole bit larger than the tube and drill the intake line out; not sure which option to use yet. I will take pictures and post them in here for any future endeavors someone may have, I'm sure others have lean issues if nothing else running with clogged arteries from the 70s.

Regards,
J

[badlybentmc7]

You are on the right road,If you  don't pull the tank and clean it or replace it with something new its going to come back to bite you where it hurts, Do it right the first time and no worries.This comes from my own mistake trying to get by.1 hard lesson on the side of the road 100 degree's on sunday will school you quick.Good luck and happy wrench turning  Troy.

[Lee Bradley]

BirdBus your bus has a fast fill system. See here http://www.emcowheaton.com/refueling-systems/bus/. The two large vent lines support that system. The fitting to the large vent going down has a whistle in it that whistles from the air escaping while filling. The filler has an automatic shutoff that shuts off the fuel when the fuel reaches a set level and the whistling stops letting the operator know the tank is full.  I removed both large vent lines and sealed one opening and reduced the other to a 1/4" vent line.  I also removed the auto shutoff enabling me to put 10 or 20 gallons more fuel in the tank as the shutoff is two or three inches below the fill opening.   

[BirdBus]

I see, hmm. Well I appreciate the info for sure, sometimes you think something is just normal and someone schools you; thanks. I was going to track down that top line and see how I should go about moving it/ removing it.

I thought it was so sort of heating, via hot air, for the fuel.

Anywho, I purchased a 1 Ton engine boom from HF and assembled that garbage yesterday. I plan to tackle this, this week or weekend. I will update with pictures!

[BirdBus]

Well, I decided to use two 20k lb straps I use to tie down my jeep; one around a tree and the other around the top part of the tank. I ratcheted down to around ~500 lbs. She didn't even budge!? 

I'm thinking the tank is just stuck by friction on the bottom wood plate it sits upon. Is that accurate or is there something I'm missing, I don't want to crack that front bump area by using too much force. Is there something else preventing this thing from pulling out?