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Old 07-28-2021, 01:16 PM   #1
jg61hawk
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Default Car Stalled/Went Fishing...In Gas Tank

I've owned this car 7 years and yesterday I was driving 40 MPH when suddenly it backfired like crazy. I realized at the same time I wasn't getting any acceleration. I pushed in the clutch and confirmed the engine was dead. It had been being pushed so to speak by it's speed and being in gear.

I pulled over on the shoulder and it fired up for about 3 seconds. Did that twice. I got out and looked at the inline filter. It had no gas in it. I thought maybe the float stuck maybe the gas cap vents....so I rocked the car a lot and removed the gas cap. The filter filled and I drove home. At home I looked into the gas tank and found these. They are without a doubt gasket material. I was able to get them out with one of those grabber tools. I have always had a new to me gas cap with the rubber seal. I have no idea where this came from but I'm glad I found them.
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Old 07-28-2021, 01:39 PM   #2
JayJay
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Default Re: Car Stalled/Went Fishing...In Gas Tank

If you don't have a pencil filter on the fuel tank valve then anything flat in the gas tank can block the inlet to the valve (sounds like that's what happened here). This might be a good time to drain the tank, remove the valve and install a pencil filter.

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Old 07-28-2021, 03:17 PM   #3
jg61hawk
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Default Re: Car Stalled/Went Fishing...In Gas Tank

Yeah but I shouldn't have flat stuff in my tank to begin with! I'm unfamiliar with "pencil filter" but I assume that it sticks up a bit inside the tank like a pick up tube instead of the original design just being flat to the bottom?
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Old 07-28-2021, 03:58 PM   #4
JayJay
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Default Re: Car Stalled/Went Fishing...In Gas Tank

Quote:
Originally Posted by jg61hawk View Post
Yeah but I shouldn't have flat stuff in my tank to begin with! I'm unfamiliar with "pencil filter" but I assume that it sticks up a bit inside the tank like a pick up tube instead of the original design just being flat to the bottom?
Pencil filter fits in to the inlet of your tank shut-off valve. This link is to Bratton's but all the suppliers should have them.

JayJay
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Old 07-28-2021, 05:17 PM   #5
Ruth
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Default Re: Car Stalled/Went Fishing...In Gas Tank

Looks like somebody has been throwing french frys in your tank. You have any grandkids?

Glad you "fished out" your problem.
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Old 07-28-2021, 07:55 PM   #6
jg61hawk
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Default Re: Car Stalled/Went Fishing...In Gas Tank

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throwing french frys in your tank.
Yeah looks like that but they were paper gasket material... I wonder how long they were out of the way>>>>crazy I found them together right near the intake. JAY Jay thanks for the info I'll be looking at those.
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Old 07-29-2021, 02:41 AM   #7
ETAModel
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Default Re: Car Stalled/Went Fishing...In Gas Tank

Quote:
Originally Posted by JayJay View Post
Pencil filter fits in to the inlet of your tank shut-off valve. This link is to Bratton's but all the suppliers should have them.

JayJay
Those are standard equipment for restoring old tractors. I installed one in my Farmall and it is a lifesaver. The 30 Fordor I drive also has one.
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Old 07-29-2021, 08:31 AM   #8
chap52
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Default Re: Car Stalled/Went Fishing...In Gas Tank

Sounds like your initial response to the issue was good. Many of us have experienced plugged fuel cap vent or junk blocking fuel flow. You diagnosed the immediate issue, took measures to get it running and made it home. Who could ask for more than that?
Then you shared the adventure here for others to glean from. THANKS!
Drain the tank, remove the shut-off valve and install that suggested pencil filter. You will probably never know how those "french fries got in the tank. Good job dealing with it on the road and thanks for sharing... Enjoy the adventure..." Chap
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