My Willys 3A and 3B Community
TECH FAQ SECTIONS => Engine compartment => Topic started by: Vincent on May 21, 2022, 05:16:35 PM
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I’ve installed the reproduction fuel tank on my ’53 CJ3A. There is at least a gallon of fuel in the tank, yet nothing comes out the fuel line. A coat hanger stuck up into the tank goes in about 2.5 inches before hitting metal and comes out dry. Anyone know how these are made?
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There is a picture of the interior pickup tube here...
https://cj3a.info/tech/fuelpickup.jpg
Yours may be a little further off the tank bottom....
Added a pic..
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So how do I get fuel flowing?
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The fuel pump ought to be able to draw it out as long as the end of the curved tube is in the fuel.....
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I’ve installed the reproduction fuel tank on my ’53 CJ3A. There is at least a gallon of fuel in the tank, yet nothing comes out the fuel line. A coat hanger stuck up into the tank goes in about 2.5 inches before hitting metal and comes out dry. Anyone know how these are made?
Had to copy/paste to see the post.
As posted, all things in working order, the pump will draw fuel easily.
There has been discussion on other forums of replacement tanks possibly not having the pickup. However, with your line disconnected (no dripping) and inserting a coat hanger and hitting a restriction both suggest you have the pickup.
I would suggest blowing backwards to see if you can hear bubbles. If you hear nothing but don't have restriction, maybe the gas isn't covering the intake of the pickup. If you can't blow, perhaps compressed air. There's a remote possibility the line is plugged. Try this on the fuel line first before connecting to the tank to ensure the line is free.
Back in the day, we used to syphon gas with a hose. Not recommended, but the same principle (maybe using a hand pump syphon) to see if fuel will flow with enough pull. How old is your fuel pump? You could use a short hose and small container to see if the fuel pump can pull gas into its bowl. There's a section in the Service Manual outlining pressure tests on the pump.
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One gallon is not enough. You need at least five.
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I first reattached my Plastic temporary gas can, and that worked fine. Now that I had gas in the pump and carb, I disconnected the temporary tank and attached the fuel tank. Started right up and ran for 20 minutes, no problem. I think it takes a little more juice than these old fuel pumps have to get it started when the tank is new with that pickup tube. Anyway, running fine now. Thanks for the input.