Fuel tank issues

[frankfurder]

My 25d was having trouble starting, installed a Jerry can and started right up.
When I reconnect th tank to primary filter it runs a few minutes then stops?

I have blown out the fuel line to tank and pulled a vacuum from the tank still restricted flow from the tank.

1. Did cape dory or supplier have a filter on the tank pickup?
2. What’s the best way to remove debris, cl an tank with only a fuel gage opening?

[gonesail]

i think they did have screens at the end of the fuel intake. it is probably welded to the tank right? on the new tanks you can screw it out. not sure how you could possibly clean the tank using the fuel gauge opening .. unless you are doing it with fuel polishing.

[frankfurder]

Fuel tank update and delivery to primary filter.
Local mechanic pumped out fuel tank yesterday, inserted camera and found no significant deposits that would be blocking fuel intake. Removed intake and return tubes and found tubes clean with no screen in intake.

Put a small amount of diesel into tank but unable to pull diesel thru the fuel line to primary filter? Primary filter (fram) was clean as was fuel in bowl,replaced filter anyway checking that the gasket was in place.

All 5 gallons of fuel removed from tank and filter was clean.

Fuel line in good shape, clear of kinks and obstruction

Next step to put in a couple of gallons diesel and try to get it flowing to primary, restore suction. At least a few issues have been laid to rest! Probably need to get the air out of the intake tube to restore flow.
Any comments suggestions Appreciated

[Frenchy]

You might check the tank venting. The small screens on the tank vent at the stern can get blocked by salt deposits. To see if venting is
an issue, try running with the fuel filler cap off. Good luck - Jean

[frankfurder]

Fuel tank update 2;
After inspecting tank and pickup,tube both clean I was still not getting fuel to,primary filter without pulling a vacuum on the fuel line. replaced fuel line still no gravity flow when I lowered the fram primary filter below normal mounting point, this would normally produce a solid flow,to,fill filter bowl after a filter change.

Tank is 1/3 full, but it seems there is still air getting into the system after several attempts to prime the new fuel line using vacuum.

Air vents aren’t obstructed, and issue persists with tank fill cap open. No kinks in new fuel line, but it does have a low spot.

Engine will start better with new fuel, but won’t operate under load past 2000 rpm.

Soooo, I have replaced the lift pump, which I assume provides the vacuum to pull fuel through the primary filter to bleed the secondary filter, wasn’t getting fuel bleed out of secondary filter with 30 year old lift pump, manual operation.

Planning to replace fram primary with racor 120, but still need to get fuel from tank to primary. Options;
1.hope new lift pump will such fuel out of tank/primary filter
2.fill tank with new fuel fo provide flow to provde flow to primary
3.continue to try and prime the new fuel line with current tank level 1/3 full

Seems that I am chasing an issue and learning as I go, but thought a clean tank, new fuel line priming would fix the issue, what am I missing?

[Cddude]

Sounds like you may have a small hole/perforation on your pickup tube inside your fuel tank and it is sucking air with the tank 1/3 full. You could test by filling your tank completely where any holes in your pickup tube are submerged in diesel. Your engine should run until the holes are sucking air again when they are at or just above the fuel level (1/3 full?). Or beforehand, just replace your pickup tube versus filling your tank and give it a shot.