MikeM

Greetings,

I'm bringing a '83 Limited Edition back to life and all seems well so far except the gas tank. The tank was left with fuel in it for 5 years it has been drained and supplied with fresh fuel. the problem is the fuel pick-up seems blocked. The fuel pump will pull gas from a gas can and the fuel lines to the engine are open. I dropped the tank and looked the best I can and there's not any trash in the tank. I don't know much about the workings of the tank. Is there a one way valve at the pick-up that might be frozen? Can I assume since there's no way to put a hand in the tank to fix, or replace anything I'm destine for a new tank?

All else seems fine so far. I did a compression test on the engine which showed about 90psi and when I fed some fuel to the carb it started on the first try. I was frankly amazed! The brakes have held up with time and the belts and hoses seem to be in good shape. Apparently the car had been given a complete work up before it was parked. The tires were not even flat (they will be replaced however). Anything else I should be looking for outside the suggestions offered in the "bringing back to life" post.

Mike

Rogue_Wulff

The pickup tube is welded into the tank, which makes removal all but impossible.
However, you can take a length of mig wire, and start fishing it thru the tube, to begin clearing any blockage. Once the wire can be pushed all the way thru, bent the tip a little, and chuck it into a drill (Variable speed is best) and start to spin it as you fish it thru. This works just like a plumbers "Snake" at clearing clogged drains.

MikeM

There's a fine mesh basket at the end of the tube. I'm assuming that's just a filter to keep junk that may find it's way in the tank out of the system.

mike

7aull

iTrader: (2)

Mike
-compressed air shot thru tube??
Assume you changed the fuel filter Might want to consider resealing the tank, since you've already gone to the trouble of pulling it. POR-15(.com) makes a tank resealing kit for about... $30? Well worth the effort and peace of mind. Just did my SA this fall-
Other stuff- unless you have some documentation to prove recent (last 3 yrs) work, I would pull and flush rad (chem dunk), flush cooling system; replace ALL heater and rad hoses; drain and flush brakes; new tranny and diff oil (Redline). Basically, ANY rubber component in the car is on borrowed time right now, so if your planning her as a "keeper", any gasket or weatherstrip you replace is money well spent, especially since many of these components are disappearing out of Mazda inventory - and certainly NOT getting any cheaper.
Enjoy the Car!!
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

DavidMyers53

My '83 LE sat for 13 years before I bought it last year. It had fuel problems and I ended up taking the tank off and having it boiled out at a radiator shop, then doing the Marine Clean, Metal Etch, POR 15 kit (I paid $65 for it). Solved my problems, though. I also had new pickup and return lines brazed into the tank at the radiator shop and the old ones closed off. There was some kind of rubber hose and filter on the pickup line and a wire mesh over the return. The POR15 would have sealed this off if not removed. I've ended up replacing a lot of stuff on the car because it sat so long, but it runs great now.

Good luck!
- David

MikeM

Yes I did try compressed air, with no luck, I like the idea of new lines installed and sealing the tank. Beats the cost of a new tank. I'm also getting new rubber for the doors and windows. Thanks all for the info! The first "new car I ever had was a "83 GSL, should have never sold it!

Mike