Fuel Tank problem

[shadesh]

I have a 1975 280Z and am having issues with fuel flowing out of the fuel tank. I bought the car not too long ago. It sat for a while and had varnish built up in the fuel tank. I had the tank cleaned and coated with the red Por stuff.

I connected a 280ZX fuel pump and I can hear the fuel pump turn on. Upon cranking, the car does not start. I pulled the fuel hose going into the fuel filter and turned the fuel pump on. There is no fuel coming out..

I pulled the hose that comes out of the fuel tank going into the fuel pump. There is fuel coming out but is not gushing out. I would think the fuel should just gush out..

Should it.???

I connected the fuel pump wiring directly to the battery, stuck a hose from the fuel pump into a bottle of fuel and the fuel pump pumped the fuel out of the bottle and the pressure was good.

Here is my question. Is the line coming out of the fuel tank, (the thick one) blocked?

Is there a screen inside the tank for that line that goes to the fuel pump? Could the screen, if there is one, have some blockage.?

Does anyone have any diagrams of pics of the inside of the fuel tank?

Someone, please help.

[EScanlon]

Briefly:

The 280's are supposed to have a filter/screen in the gas tank supply line.

Can't confirm if yours would have that, but others have reported problems when coating the inside of the gas tank with any kind of preservation coating.

If your supply line is blocked, the only thing to do is to somehow or another remove that blockage. It might be as simple as ramming a stiff piano cable back into the gas tank through the supply tube, or as complex as having to cut the tank open to remove that filter. There was a thread some time back that had pictures of the inside of the fuel tank taken with an access scope camera.

FWIW

E

[JimmyZ]

E is right. Your screen is blocked. One other possible negative aspect is that by running the pump dry it gets damaged. Run it dry long enough and you'll need a new pump.

It might just be easier to grab a junkyard tank at this point. If a chunk of punctured screen or POR goes through the pump that might be the end of the pump. If you had to save the tank you MIGHT be able to get to the screen via the drain plug. (E's idea of poking the now covered screen) Sharpened coathanger or welding rod might do the trick. Be sure before touching metal to metal that you ground out. (Prevent static spark which could blow you to kingdom come when in the presence of gas fumes)

Here are some pics of the inside of my 240Z tank. It is different in that it has no screen. At least you can see where the pickup is. Be sure to blow/flush things well after poking holes. (If you decide this route)

http://warbuddies.homestead.com/gastank.html

(Pics at bottom)

Good luck,

Jim

[shadesh]

Thank You fellas. I appreciate your input. I will probably just punch in the screen at the pick up tube and put a filter between the tank and the fuel pump.

This is not the best way but is the simplest.

Thanks again. I appreciate your resourcefulness.

[sblake01]

Here's the only 75-76 tank diagram I could find:

[Z Speed]

Thank You fellas. I appreciate your input. I will probably just punch in the screen at the pick up tube and put a filter between the tank and the fuel pump.

This is not the best way but is the simplest.

Thanks again. I appreciate your resourcefulness.

If you "punch the screen", I would keep a bunch of inline fuel filters on hand. This depends on how bad the interior of your tanks is even though you POR'ed it. These little translucent-white inline fuel filters do wonders and can save you from being stranded on the side of the road. You can mount one under the bonnet as well, just make sure it is inline of the fuel flow....

[shadesh]

Thanks Stephen, that diagram was what I needed too. I could not find it in my manual. It gives me a better idea of what those lines are for. Thanks again.

I will punch that hole in and put the filter as Zspeed mentioned... and vavooom!. .. well, lets see eh!

[Z Speed]

If that is the case and you do "punch the screen" I wouldn't rely solely on an in-line fuel filter. The should only be used as a backup last resort of keeping crud from entering your engine/carbs etc... via the fuel lines. I would def. pull the take and re-clean or replace if need be. I wouldn't take any shortcuts with your fuel system....

[280~Master]

Theinside of a 280 tank is very basic.

The Pick-up line inside of the tank is about 5/8" and about 3 ft long. It runs in a spiral, inside of a baffle, that is shaped like a coffee can. Once this is clogged it is almost impossible to clean it out. One one tank I had to cut and weld shut the original line and have a new pick up put in. Problem was solved.

The return line dumps almost as soon as it get in side of the tank.

Napa stocks and sells a fuel filter that works perfect for this job. Its a napa gold fuel filter. I can't remember the part number off hand & I did place it in a tread around here.Search and you sould find the part number.

[biddljj]

I had my 240Z gas tank cleaned and coated...... Once back in the car I couldn't

get it run.... Return line was pluged by the por coating... Much consternation then

I was introduced to Air Craft Paint remove in small quantities.. I drooled just a bit down

the return line... Poked with a hunk of wire....As soon as I was through the clog I

drained the line back... I could see the line end from the hole that the fuel tank sending unit fits in.....