Accessing fuel pickup line in older gas tank

[Hez]

I have a 1990 Ranger 374v that I need to access the fuel pickup line in the PORT gas tank in the bilge.

I have 2 wrenches. One that fits the base nut and a 3/4 that fits the piece that screws into it. Problem is, I can't get it to budge. The more pressure I apply...the more the top of the tank flexes inward...


Anybody have any tips or tricks?

Thanks

[Jumping Jimmy]

I removed mine just like you are doing. Make sure your bottom wrench is not catching on the top fitting as you are trying to remove the pickup tube.

[Hez]

I removed mine just like you are doing. Make sure your bottom wrench is not catching on the top fitting as you are trying to remove the pickup tube.

I guess I just needed a little boost of confidence - thank you...

I went out there and wrenched on her some more and finally got her to budge!

Thanks!!!

[Texas Rig]

I guess I just needed a little boost of confidence - thank you...

I went out there and wrenched on her some more and finally got her to budge!

Thanks!!!

I wish my pickup tubes were exposed like yours on my 1990 Ranger 362. I will need to remove my entire seat assembly. Would be interesting to know what you found when you pulled it out? Did you take a pic you could share?

[Hez]

I wish my pickup tubes were exposed like yours on my 1990 Ranger 362. I will need to remove my entire seat assembly. Would be interesting to know what you found when you pulled it out? Did you take a pic you could share?

sure!

There really wasn’t much to it, and it was built better than I thought. Was expecting to find a split in it somewhere, as I’m losing pressure in the fuel bulb about halfway through this tank only...

the shaft of the pickup tube was surprisingly thick...I didn’t measure, but the material was probably 1/4” thick itself. My tube wasn’t split at all - in fact, it was in great condition for its age...

There did seem to be a screen at the end of my pickup tube that came off when I pulled it through the hole to inspect it. I’m going to remove the fuel sensor and siphon the remaining gas out and clean the tank next - try to get that screen and whatever else is down there. There must have been something clogging my screen and making it lose pressure.

Let me know if you have any more questions - it was a pain to get out, that’s for sure.

[eh2000]

I would be very interested to see what the filter on the end of your pickup tube looks like when you get it fished out. I removed the pickup tube in my Bullet a few weeks ago and while I understand we have very different boats, they are similar vintage. My screen was the same diameter as the tube as was connected by a black rubber sleeve with two clamps. The rubber was split and doing nothing.

[Hez]

I would be very interested to see what the filter on the end of your pickup tube looks like when you get it fished out. I removed the pickup tube in my Bullet a few weeks ago and while I understand we have very different boats, they are similar vintage. My screen was the same diameter as the tube as was connected by a black rubber sleeve with two clamps. The rubber was split and doing nothing.

Yeah...I need to get it out and see how it was attached to the tube...

[paulrodbender]

Also Hez, make sure your tank vent is clear and free.

[Hez]

Also Hez, make sure your tank vent is clear and free.

will do, thanks for that heads-up

[paulrodbender]

The vent hose in the corner comes from factory with a decent kink.

[Hez]

The vent hose in the corner comes from factory with a decent kink.

I'm pretty sure it's clear because I have fuel leakage from there when I get the tank really full...but it's definitely worth a check - and something I haven't checked during this entire process.

[Hez]

Alright, so I was able to drain the tank tonight and get the screen out of the bottom of the tank.

Here are some pictures of the pickup tube for those who were interested.

[eh2000]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[Odell Poff]

Since I just purchased my 1989 374V I have been thinking doing this preventive maint would not be a bad idea. Any further tips before I get started?

[Hez]

Since I just purchased my 1989 374V I have been thinking doing this preventive maint would not be a bad idea. Any further tips before I get started?

I honestly would not recommend doing this unless you were having issues, in fear of tearing something up in the process, that wasn't broke in the first place.

I would recommend, per BBC, to replace all of the fuel lines from the motor to tank. Here is the link to the BBC Guide: http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=22490 - Don at European Marine will get you hooked up with the right lines and bulb...connectors...clamps...all of it.

Does your boat have the auxilary gas tank under the seat? Mine has a 22 gal under the seat and 1 - 14 gallon in the bilge. She originally came with dual tanks back there, but previous owner removed STBD tank to add more batteries.

[mxmike]

While you have everything apart, I would also replace the hose barb fitting on the e'l with a new "anti siphon" barb fitting.

[Hez]

While you have everything apart, I would also replace the hose barb fitting on the e'l with a new "anti siphon" barb fitting.

Yeah...I respectfully disagree with that...the anti-siphon mechanism is just something that could fail in the future, requiring to have to pull all of that stuff back out. But - it's your boat, do as you wish. I put mine back together without the anti-siphon piece...was glad it wasn't in there...was directed by my mechanic to check it out, as that could have been causing my problems.

[twitch]

Keep us posted if your problem continues after all this ok

[basscat21]

Since I just purchased my 1989 374V I have been thinking doing this preventive maint would not be a bad idea. Any further tips before I get started?

When I did mine, I left fuel in it, used a fuel line that went into a gas can to suck any debris out. After 26 years, suprised ther was very little, a few small black things, sucked them out. They were probably from fuel line. All my fuel lines are new now.

[lpugh]

Yeah...I respectfully disagree with that...the anti-siphon mechanism is just something that could fail in the future, requiring to have to pull all of that stuff back out. But - it's your boat, do as you wish. I put mine back together without the anti-siphon piece...was glad it wasn't in there...was directed by my mechanic to check it out, as that could have been causing my problems.

^^^^^ agreed, the primer bulb also works as a anti siphon device and it is all that is needed. However I would relocate the bulb to the bilge area with it it mounted with the arrow more or less pointed up. The splash well is a terrible place for the bulb as it can contribute to vapor lock issues