Northern Fuel Tank Troubles

[ROGER/DODGER]

I bought and installed a 51 gal. fuel tank / tool box from Northern Tool with the gravity feed kit that installs into the fuel filler tube. Here the rub, and has this ever happened to anyone out here before. I fill up the bed tank after the

main tank is filled. All is well until about 1/3 of the extra tank is depleted, and then it wont let any more fuel flow into the main tank as it was doing. There seems to be no suction building in the reserve tank when I open the cap, it is well vented. I'm stumped ! Why does it work for a while and then quit. I know, it sure sounds like venting problem. But even if I leave the fuel fill cap off it still wont flow ! What the hell is going on here ?#@$%!

 

[jelag]

I have bed mounted tanks that we have built ourselves... they gravity flow to the main tank very well when the filter thats between the 2 tanks is new... once that filter gets some mileage on it the fuel stops flowing... I've installed an electric pump and a 1/2 lb back check valve... . the back check valve keeps the tanks from moving fuel unless the pump is on..... I flip a switch on the dash, and the pump moves fuel through the filter, pump and into the neck of the main tank... . we also have installed a flashing LED to let the driver know that fuel is moving so he won't go down the road and overfill the main tank... it will just pour out the filler spout...

If your bed tank has no restrictions it should always gravity flow into the main tank under all conditions and over flow it... .

 

[MMeier]

Roger, how big is the outlet on the aux tank? Have to wonder, if there is not some welding slag or something from when the tank was made floating around the drain point on the new tank. I know when my buddy put a similar tank in his truck, he plugged up his aux filters several times with some strange looking stuff at first.

 

[DHuffman]

I have the same tank as you, and I have not had any issues. Mine drains completely, and I have run about 200 gallons through it (still on my original filter).

If I remember I take a picture of my valve install and post it here so you can compare.

 

[ROGER/DODGER]

Thanks for your help guys. I was kinda wondering if there was something in the tank that should not be. I guess I gould drain it and pull the fuel gauge out it is right above the outflow valve, then see what is going on.

 

[DennyDay]

For you guys using a pump to transfer fuel, you might want to try a 15 minuite line voltage timer (wind up spring type) available at Home Depot. Set it for 5 minuted and see how much fuel it moves and use that time +/- in the future. The timer is about $20. and will prevent over fills. Be careful with installation, to work properly the switch needs to be mounted vertically. I put mine in a handy box and mounted it under the front seat.



Denny

 

[The patriot]

I got mine plumbed in with a pollack valve.