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The 2-Stroke Garage => Turning Wrenches => Topic started by: SoCal250 on April 26, 2020, 01:10:42 AM

Title: Fuel tank cross-over - plugged
Post by: SoCal250 on April 26, 2020, 01:10:42 AM
Anyone experienced this before and have any suggestions to correct the issue?  :umm:

Have a tank that has a plugged left cross-over tube. Right side is fine. Tried to poke a solid core copper wire through it but it wouldn't budge.
The issue is, it's a 90* bend and I don't know what's blocking it. So it's difficult to work with.
The paint is original '75 and in very good shape so my options are limited.

TIA
Title: Re: Fuel tank cross-over - plugged
Post by: 1976RD400C on April 26, 2020, 05:45:38 AM
Maybe try attaching an electric drill to the wire and slowly rotate and push. It may clean it out and it will bend as it goes around the corner as in Roto Rooter.   :umm:
Title: Re: Fuel tank cross-over - plugged
Post by: m in sc on April 26, 2020, 07:52:16 AM
is it just rust and junk?

suggestion: connect a hose to it, long. put the other end to a remote tank, put some evaporust or the like in the remote tank and let it work on the clog for a bit. (day or 2). should loosen it up. 



Title: Re: Fuel tank cross-over - plugged
Post by: sav0r (CL MotoTech) on April 26, 2020, 08:27:28 AM
Hit it with some air pressure. Wear safety glasses.
Title: Re: Fuel tank cross-over - plugged
Post by: thatguy on April 26, 2020, 09:47:10 AM
Short piece of old throttle cable in a drill chuck at slow speed with an abundance of caution. It works but be sure to determine what direction to turn it[/b] so the cable stay bound and not unwound. Maybe a little practice in something less valuable? I've done it in tanks I sealed the crossover shut with RedKote.
Title: Re: Fuel tank cross-over - plugged
Post by: SoCal250 on April 27, 2020, 10:09:35 PM
I gave air pressure a try. Only went up to about 50 or 60 psi but no dice.

The tank has sealer that a PO did so I'm thinking that's what's blocked it. Although some gas was left in the bottom of the tank for a long time and it destroyed the petcock and caused the cap to rust out.

Quote from: m in sc on April 26, 2020, 07:52:16 AM
is it just rust and junk?
suggestion: connect a hose to it, long. put the other end to a remote tank, put some evaporust or the like in the remote tank and let it work on the clog for a bit. (day or 2). should loosen it up. 

I may give this a try but I need to pick up some Evap-o-Rust somewhere.

Quote from: thatguy on April 26, 2020, 09:47:10 AM
Short piece of old throttle cable in a drill chuck at slow speed with an abundance of caution. It works but be sure to determine what direction to turn it[/b] so the cable stay bound and not unwound. Maybe a little practice in something less valuable? I've done it in tanks I sealed the crossover shut with RedKote.

This sounds like a great solution but unfortunately I don't have any throttle cable on hand. I'd really like to give this a go!
Title: Re: Fuel tank cross-over - plugged
Post by: thatguy on April 27, 2020, 10:19:46 PM


Quote from: thatguy on April 26, 2020, 09:47:10 AM
Short piece of old throttle cable in a drill chuck at slow speed with an abundance of caution. It works but be sure to determine what direction to turn it[/b] so the cable stay bound and not unwound. Maybe a little practice in something less valuable? I've done it in tanks I sealed the crossover shut with RedKote.

This sounds like a great solution but unfortunately I don't have any throttle cable on hand. I'd really like to give this a go!
[/quote]

Any local bicycle shop (hell even MalWart) will have brake cable kits cheap.
Title: Re: Fuel tank cross-over - plugged
Post by: murphywv on April 28, 2020, 11:20:28 AM
old guitar strings always worked great for me
Title: Re: Fuel tank cross-over - plugged
Post by: SoCal250 on May 16, 2020, 10:29:20 PM
Thanks thatguy. :thumbs:
Bicycle brake cable and a cordless drill did it! Took a while but it eventually broke through. I think it was really plugged up!

The sealer in the tank is in rough shape, primarily on the top section around the filler. After a rinse I'm going to try it as is and see how it works out. I think I'll be doing a reseal in the future.
Title: Re: Fuel tank cross-over - plugged
Post by: thatguy on May 17, 2020, 09:31:23 AM
No problem glad it helped.