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Dirt in Gas Tank EA82 '89 GL


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When filling up today, I noticed that my rusty filler neck finally sprung some holes. As a temporary fix, I went to go and wrap some plastic bags around the neck to keep dirt and other crap from getting in. Of course, in the process of doing so, I accidentally knocked a small handful of junk into the tank.

 

Does anyone know what the fuel pickup in an '89 GL looks like? Is there maybe some way I can drain the tank some to get most of the dirt out? Or would I be good just carrying a few extra fuel filters with me? I'm moving this weekend so I'm not sure if I have time to take it in to get fixed.

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Wow. That's exactly what did my car in. I didn't notice it as soon as you fortunately did.

 

I was working on dropping my gas tank when I decided the rest of my car is too rusty to warrant doing any more work, but if you want to drain the tank you can raise the back of the car up, climb underneath, clamp something on to the line leading to your fuel filter back there (if carbureted. Fuel pump if not) and then work that line off of your filter (or pump). Once you have a good container to catch the gasoline in, unclamp it and let it drain. Depending on how much gas you have in there, be ready to clamp it again and get another container. I drained my tank this way. It took awhile but got the job done.

I have a brand new uninstalled fuel tank available for a carburetor vehicle here in jersey that was going to go in to my car but I am no longer going that route.

 

Also, if fuel injected, you are going to want to be careful when you disconnect the fuel line as there's a lot of pressure residual in the line. Even if you clamp it, it's going to spray a bit. Be careful.

Edited by l75eya
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Haha, my tank was at half when I did it and it took awhle. A full tank is going to take like an hour to drain like that. Maybe somebody else knows a way but that's the only way I can think of. If you drain the fuel like I explained above, the fuel is going to flow out the bottom pass side front most part of the tank. Not exactly bottom bottom, but close to it. That's if all the fittings are the same between fuel injection and carb models. I did this on a carb model.

If you drain it from right at the fuel pump you'll be draining it straight from the line that comes from the tank, so nothing will flow through your pump, or more lines, or your filter. Your filter is under the hood if you're fuel injected.

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So I took the sender out just to see how bad it is. I'm not even sure what's pictured is from what I dropped in. Pic is attached.

 

Could I be alright just leaving it? Would draining the tank even take that stuff out with it? Could I possibly just have a shop wash it out? I'm not supposed to work on it in my garage so whatever I do needs to be in secret or at a shop.

 

post-35435-0-58818700-1433980467_thumb.jpg

Edited by JEBalles
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So I ended up bringing it into the shop and they said the tank looked really clean for an '89, so I think I'm just gonna carry an extra filter or two, keep the tank filled and hope for the best. For a fuel injected, is there anything besides the filter in the engine bay?

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just the filter under the hood.

 

If you can find one, you can put a filter in before the pump.

Just have to find one with correct fitting sizes.

Can't tell you what to go get, been a while since I did it on Son's '88 Wagon with a majorly rusty tank.

 

I just took the tank-pump hose in to the parts store and told them I wanted a filter to fit the hose. Bought a length of new hose also.

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Picked up a new fuel filter to keep in the car for piece of mind and made the trip last night. 400 miles later, no trouble whatsoever. I did fill up at about halfway just so I'm not picking up the dregs of the tank, but I think I probably didn't dump as much crap in there as I thought. I'll probably try to drain/flush it at some point and install a filter before the pump, but for the most part I think I'm in the clear. Thanks for the help!

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So I ended up bringing it into the shop and they said the tank looked really clean for an '89, so I think I'm just gonna carry an extra filter or two, keep the tank filled and hope for the best. For a fuel injected, is there anything besides the filter in the engine bay?

 

 

Your shop is on drugs.

That is a LOT of crud for any year.

 

The tank needs to be dropped and pressure washed.

Wishful thinking doesn`t cut it.

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