Gravity-fed overhead fuel tank delimma

[erichamilton]

Hi, gents. I've got a problem and am not sure if this is the right place to ask or not. I've got a 280 or so gallon overhead gravity-feed fuel tank for my lawnmower and trimmer gas. I got it last year, cleaned what little scale there was out, replaced the hose, nozzle, and fittings. I put a sediment filter and water filter in the line and put about 150 gallons in it. The first few times I tried to use it, it wouldn't send any fuel down the line. I tried removing the filler cap on top in case of vapor lock and no luck. A few days later, I tried again and was able to fill up my mower. No more problems until this year.

I put about 150 gallons in it. Had checked to make sure it was all clean and replaced the filters. Same issue. I can't get gas down the hose to save my neck.

Any ideas?

 

[TonyF]

Hi, gents. I've got a problem and am not sure if this is the right place to ask or not. I've got a 280 or so gallon overhead gravity-feed fuel tank for my lawnmower and trimmer gas. I got it last year, cleaned what little scale there was out, replaced the hose, nozzle, and fittings. I put a sediment filter and water filter in the line and put about 150 gallons in it. The first few times I tried to use it, it wouldn't send any fuel down the line. I tried removing the filler cap on top in case of vapor lock and no luck. A few days later, I tried again and was able to fill up my mower. No more problems until this year.

I put about 150 gallons in it. Had checked to make sure it was all clean and replaced the filters. Same issue. I can't get gas down the hose to save my neck.

Any ideas?

Do you have fuel flow if you remove/bypass the filters --assuming there are no other valves or obstructions in the line? Check to ensure it has a gravity type filter on it. Some filters are not spec'd for low pressure gravity flow and require a little bit of pressure to force the fuel thru them. Perhaps once the fuel finally got past the filter siphon action did the rest?

 

[atgreene]

If you loosen each filter does fuel come out around the gasket? Do you have a valve at the tank?

If you have a shut-off valve you may want to remove the filter housings, put a short hose on it, hold the hose above the level of liquid, open the valve and snake the hose with a snake/heavy wire into the tank to see if it is obstructed.

If all else fails and you aren't getting fuel to the filters, you could always try a LITTLE air pressure to back flush with air to clear any blockage. Make up a fitting to go on you hose in place of the nozzle and charge it with a lb or two of air. Make sure the tank cover is open, Do NOT pressurize the tank.

 

[Ken45101]

Is makeup air getting into the tank?

Ken

 

[boggen]

adding to ken45101 comment.

there should be some sort of "vent" on top of the tank. that allows the tank to breath.

 

[tnjind]

Line 4 of original post.


My money is as stated, the filters are providing too much resistance.

 

[RoyJackson]

If all else fails and you aren't getting fuel to the filters, you could always try a LITTLE air pressure to back flush with air to clear any blockage. Make up a fitting to go on you hose in place of the nozzle and charge it with a lb or two of air. Make sure the tank cover is open, Do NOT pressurize the tank.

Yep, no more then 2-3 PSI!!
That would be a workaround though (IMHO).

The tank should feed and, without being there, I suspect it's not vented correctly.

 

[Jerry/MT]

Hi, gents. I've got a problem and am not sure if this is the right place to ask or not. I've got a 280 or so gallon overhead gravity-feed fuel tank for my lawnmower and trimmer gas. I got it last year, cleaned what little scale there was out, replaced the hose, nozzle, and fittings. I put a sediment filter and water filter in the line and put about 150 gallons in it. The first few times I tried to use it, it wouldn't send any fuel down the line. I tried removing the filler cap on top in case of vapor lock and no luck. A few days later, I tried again and was able to fill up my mower. No more problems until this year.

I put about 150 gallons in it. Had checked to make sure it was all clean and replaced the filters. Same issue. I can't get gas down the hose to save my neck.

Any ideas?

When did you last change the filters? Are the filters made for gravity flow tanks? Are you getting fuel to the filters? The hose could be plugged.