fuel filler drain

[niall]

Hi Chaps and chapesses,<br>Has anyone an easy method for clearing the drain next to the fuel filler?<br>Once blocked, the tide rises arround the filler and I am worried that some may find its way into the tank.<br>A length of piano wire was my first resort but there seems to be a bend in the pipe about four inches down. A thin plastic cable clamp refused to go round the bend either.<br>I suppose an air line with a suitably sized nozzle is the next thing to try.<br>Any hints?<br>Thanks,  Niall

[Sy V]

Wire coat hanger and plunge like billio...

[Doug]

Try a compressed air hose up to the line--I haven't done it but it has been reported to work in the past by others.

[Mike]

I tried it with compressed air and a dealer tried the same method with no luck. His advice was to attack it at the end of the tube (wheel well liner comes out). If  what ever is in there has calcified, hopefully the drain system can be R&R'd. I have forgotten about this as mine only sees the rain by accident. My experience with it was in a downpour while the car sat at a dealer lot over the weekend. I mopped it up when I discovered it at the next fill up. I cannot imagine water can get into the fuel system at the filler cap. It has to be air tight. I might have a go at this as I plan to rotate the tires anyway.

[Sy V]

Wire coat hanger...it's worked on both M100s I've owned.

[quiksilva]

just tried the coat hanger on mine and its stopping about 3" down, worth giving it a good ramming (ooer missus) or would that cause more harm?

[Sy V]

Whilst I can appreciate David not wanting to puncture the tube.  There are (in my eyes) two reasons for using some thrutch with the coat hanger: Nylon strimmer coard wouldn't have touched my blockage (ooer missus): If you do puncture the tube so what!  You're still allowing the water to evacuate the filler recess. It's a matter of priorities in my eyes.

[niall]

Thanks for the suggestions. The thread is developing nicely.I think I shall wait for someone to give an authoratative account of the route of the tube before trying Sy's method which undoubtedly has attractions.<br>Has anybody succeeded in removing the tube?<br>Niall

[Mike Richards]

The drain for the fuel filler compartment is very easily accessible after removal of the screws holding the interior trim panel inboard of the filler compartment. the problem with blockage occurs because the tube loops upwards before draining below the car. the drain tube is very easily removed for cleaning. i would strongly advise against poking anything down the tube while it is installed.<br>miksar@iprimus.com.au

[Doug]

Agree that it is easily accessable, but this is about an hour of so after you start removing the rear tray--can be done pretty easily but is a pain in the ass!!<br><br>It is the best way to fix the problem though  :-/

[Mike]

A tube that drains up only before it turns down? I know plumbing can flow uphill if the downhill portion exceeds the uphill portion in length, even without a pumping station. There is an equation for it I recall from school but it seems to escape me. I think the Romans were the first to design such a system, then they invaded England.<br><br>Is the trim panel that has to be removed to access the tube the smooth, black plastic piece under the carpet in the hood stowage area?

[Doug]

Exactly.<br>It runs the full length of the stowage area. Once removed it reveals the fuel filter area, the fuel tank top, and all the fuel related lines.

[Richard_A_Clifton]

I don't recall having to remove the whole tray.  I just undid the screws in the surrounding area and was able to get to the tube.  I used a heavy gauge locking wire inserted at the top and then massage it around the bend(s).  I had some water in the petrol-filler thingy to assist in washing the debris out and very soon  got water pouring onto the drive.<br><br>By the way, the heavy(ish) gauge locking wire isn't strong enough to puncture the tube.

[greg]

I used some copper wire from twin and earth, but poked up from the bottom as the blockage was near there.

[Richard_A_Clifton]

Niall.  You could always use the radio mast that is sitting in my passenger footwell awaiting your delivery details!

[Ashaman]

Compressed air from below....with enough PSI it will either unstop or pop the hose, at least then you would have more of a reason for removing parts  :P

[niall]

Thanks for the further suggestions and thanks Mike for the route info. I shall investigate further at least now with some idea of what I am looking at and how to sort the problem.<br>Richard, excuse my ignorance but, what is this"locking wire" ? I'm not so heavily into bondage but I guess it would be useful if I were!<br>As to the radio mast,I am sorry I missed whatever message it was which should have told me it was in hand. Will you be at the Bell any time soon? If not and you would like me to send you the cash pending delivery, please send me a message and I shall respond appropriately.

[Richard_A_Clifton]

Niall, locking wire is what you would use to lock wheel spinners on on an old racing car or the caliper mounting bolts on an old Elan and many other applications, especially on old race cars, to stop things working loose.  I bought mine from my local Aladdin's Cave of a back street car spares shop.  <br>Send me an IM with your address and I'll post the mast to you.

[Richard_A_Clifton]

BTW, I tend not to use wire in bondage sessions as it cuts the skin.  Difficult to explain away when you get home to the missus!