Triumph Repair: fuel troubles, gas tank, steel line

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Dear Jim:

I have 1980 Triump spitfire It has been in storage for 10 years,  When I went to start it It would not start.  I took the gas line off the fuel pump run the starter no gas from the fuel pump  I blowed on the gas line to the gas tank and there was on resistance on the line and I could hear no bubling in the gas tank I tried to siphen some gas from the gas line but it felt like there was nothing on the other end of the line I could not get any gas to sifen through the line I put 5 gal of gas in the tank.

No I did not replace the fuel filter
the lines are open but I don't know where the air is going. if there was a hole in the line or the line was off it looks to me like the fuel would run out.

there is a filter in the line in the trunk and something on top of the tank about two inches round and about five inches long I don't know if that is a felter or not if I go chanhing felters now i'll have gas all over the place.
I don't now wheather to buy a fuel pump or not.

 Thanks
Bill


Do you think it is the fuel pump?  Why do I not hear any air in the gas tank when I blow on the line? And when I suck on the line there is no resistance like sucking on a empty line?  

I hope you can help me a new fuel pump cost about $60.00 I dont want to spent if I don't have to


thanks

Bill
Answer -
Bill,

Did you replace the fuel filter?  Flush the fuel lines from front to back to make sure they're clear?

That's the first place I'd start.


Cheers,

Jim

Answer
Bill,

If you remove the rubber fuel line at the firewall from the steel line that runs along the frame you should be able to empty the gas tank quite quickly (have a large catch pan handy if you do try this!!).

If you're not getting fuel to the firewall then there is some form of blockage in the line to the tank, or in the tank pickup tube.

I hope you're really not sucking on a fuel line with your mouth.  If there were any gas, the fumes are quite dangerous to your health.

The steel canister on top of the tank is part of the vapor recovery system.  It shouldn't really affect things either way, although if it were blocked there is a chance you could create a vacuum in the tank.  As volatile as the fuel is these days you're more likely to be able to build pressure in the tank if the vent setup were blocked.

If the car has been sitting for 10 years there is a good chance that the old gas might have either jelled or become full of corrosion (or some combination) and that could block the fuel line completely.


Cheers,

Jim