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 Fuel Tank Innards Treatment
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Dirtbiker
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1060 Posts

Posted - 19 Jun 2022 :  21:14:02 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I'm following Derek's advice and taking my time with this. So far on the third and final session with the POR15 cleaner/degreaser.

This is what came out when I drained the fuel - coffee anyone!



And this is what the cleaner/degreaser looks like when it comes out



Flush it out with water tomorrow evening then once dry I'll use the metal prep stuff.

Cheers
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Dirtbiker
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1060 Posts

Posted - 04 Jul 2022 :  20:22:03 Show Profile Reply with Quote
As advised I have taken my time with this and taken advantage of the warm weather to ensure it has been 100% dry between stages.

Poured the paint in through the sender unit hole yesterday and it appears to have been a success. I can get a glimpse of the main body of the tank and it appears to have coated well. I left it upside down once I had finished rolling it around as I was worried about paint blocking up the pick up pipe (Simon has me worried!) I did feed some thick wore down the pick up pipe to stop paint getting in but changed my mind as I thought it either might get stuck in the bottom of the tank or maybe drag semi dry paint back up, fingers crossed it should be ok.



Cheers

Edited by - Dirtbiker on 04 Jul 2022 20:41:23
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Dirtbiker
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1060 Posts

Posted - 27 Nov 2022 :  21:53:09 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Well, all fitted back in the car now but no fuel getting through.

Initial thoughts are that the fuel tank is not to blame. Stuffed some welding wire down the pick up tube and doesn't seem blocked.

I have a feeling the fuel pump might not be happy after being sat dry for a while, I think tomorrow night I will do some experiments with a jar of fuel below the fuel pump in the engine bay and see if I can pull it through.

Tried some fuel down the carb to get it spinning over but even then wouldn't pull fuel through.
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UK_Sub
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
2555 Posts

Posted - 28 Nov 2022 :  10:53:55 Show Profile Reply with Quote
As you say the mechanical pump doesn't like to be dormant for too long - I use a hand pump thingy like this...

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/laser-3719-fuel-transfer-tool/

to draw fuel up to the carb. Then the carb has enough fuel to start the car and the fuel pump has something to draw on, rather than air. I keep meaning to get a one-way valve to hold fuel beyond the fuel pump, so I don't have to do this so often. Problem is I haven't driven it for 3 years!
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x96
V4 Fanatic

Spain
415 Posts

Posted - 29 Nov 2022 :  12:08:05 Show Profile Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by UK_Sub
As you say the mechanical pump doesn't like to be dormant for too long - I use a hand pump thingy like this...

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/laser-3719-fuel-transfer-tool/

to draw fuel up to the carb. Then the carb has enough fuel to start the car and the fuel pump has something to draw on, rather than air. I keep meaning to get a one-way valve to hold fuel beyond the fuel pump, so I don't have to do this so often. Problem is I haven't driven it for 3 years!



I have the same problem, I like this solution, it is simple. Where do you place it? before the carb and after the fuel pump? Do you think it could work under the rear seat? I like the idea of not messing too much under the engine compartment.

Héctor
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 29 Nov 2022 :  15:59:41 Show Profile Reply with Quote
The fuel pump is itself a one-way valve, so you shouldn't need an extra one. Also, they are supposed to be self-priming. That said, I can recommend fitting an electric pump.

www.saabv4.com
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Wheelspin
V4 Beginner

Denmark
99 Posts

Posted - 30 Nov 2022 :  10:55:26 Show Profile Reply with Quote
My words exactly Melle #128077;. I have an electric diaphragm pump in line with the original, mounted in the engine bay under the radiator. With a switch under the dash I can prime, so no problems starting when car has been sitting for months. Also adds redundancy if the mechanical pump should fail.

Best regards, Mads
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Wheelspin
V4 Beginner

Denmark
99 Posts

Posted - 30 Nov 2022 :  10:57:31 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Sorry about the strange number in the previous post. Tried adding an icon. Looked ok in the preview…
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UK_Sub
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
2555 Posts

Posted - 30 Nov 2022 :  14:36:09 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi Melle, excuse my ignorance - but if the fuel pump is a one way valve, wouldn't the fuel stay in the fuel line between the pump and the tank?

My fuel seems to drain back to the tank.

It could just evaporate of course - the amount of times I've been using it recently, but I need to do a LOT of priming before any fuel makes it up to the pump/carb.

I used to have an electric pump under the back seat of my last 95 - which worked perfectly, so I may go back to that at some point.
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Dirtbiker
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1060 Posts

Posted - 13 Dec 2022 :  22:16:59 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi All,
Thanks for the suggestions. I have one of those rubber squeezy hand pumps and tried it but not enough suction to draw fuel.
Anyway, rigged up a funnel to gravity feed to the carb which got it started then routed the fuel pipe from the tank to a jug which soon produced fuel with the engine spinning over nicely.
Now have intermittent running which is annoying.
Have only tried it stood still so not under load. Runs well for a bit then dies and won’t restart.
To me the spark looks weak. Recent coil (non ballast type) and accuspark electronic ignition. I tried a lead direct from battery to coil to eliminate potential ignition switch circuit faults.
I also think it is not getting enough fuel. Sometimes when it will not start a glug of fuel down the carb gets it going. Also when I operate the throttle looking down the carb I get maybe three squirts then nothing more.
Back to basics checks next I think and suggestions welcome!
Cheers

Edited by - Dirtbiker on 13 Dec 2022 22:19:24
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EdinburghJoe
V4 Fan

United Kingdom
162 Posts

Posted - 14 Dec 2022 :  13:54:03 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi Gareth - you said with the gravity fuel feed it was running well.
Then you say it runs well for a bit and dies - is that with the gravity fuel feed, or with the 'proper' feed hooked back in?
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Dirtbiker
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1060 Posts

Posted - 14 Dec 2022 :  21:27:12 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Thanks Joe and yes ran well on gravity feed and then was cutting out on proper feed.

Really useful to have other people's thoughts to help decide what to try next!

And so have hooked up the gravity feed again as makes sense to get it running properly like this and eliminate fuel tank/pipe/pump.

However, wouldn't start at all this time like this... Could be stale fuel as I have put fresh in the tank but all I had lying around for the test was a can of unknown origin or age. I will pick up some fresh at the weekend and let you know how I get on.

Cheers
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Dirtbiker
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1060 Posts

Posted - 30 Apr 2023 :  21:21:01 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Right, having had the car running a couple of days ago on its own fuel I tried to start this evening and nothing. No sign of fuel after more than usual cranking so I am leaning towards thinking the treatment has caused a blockage and limited flow.

I then dug out a crusty looking spare from the green house and it has some strange fibreglass inserts at each end. I didn't notice this on the other tank - anyone seen these before?



The fuel line exit unscrewed ok but the bottom drain snapped and the sender screws didn't want to budge easily - not sure if it is worth persevering with this as I suspect it is crusty around the joins and might not hold fuel.

I'll post a wanted ad for another and I may try dropping the pick up pipe into a fuel can in the boot to simulate a clean tank.

Cheers
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UK_Sub
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
2555 Posts

Posted - 02 May 2023 :  09:48:54 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I assume those fibreglass inserts were put there to fix a previous leak - certainly not factory.

You could try filling it with water and see if it holds any liquid.
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Dirtbiker
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1060 Posts

Posted - 15 May 2023 :  22:13:43 Show Profile Reply with Quote
The manky tank is going in the scrap - too manky!

Chatting to Melle at Swedish Day he suggested weak fuel pump. I had tried another already but Melle pointed out this one could be suspect too. So, when I got home I tried one Melle happened to have in his box of free stuff and it seems to have made a massive improvement. The filter is now full and the car runs well when stationary.

Thanks Melle!

I want to reserve judgement until a test drive but this was thwarted by a lack of clutch hydraulics...
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