object in tank??? what to do

1997 NA

OK, my son ran out of gas and had a friend bring him some. Apparently he left the cap or something on the end of the nozzle, then when removing the nozzle the peace fell into the tank. This is when I got the call :(
My response was ::Rant::!!!!!

So now what? Do I, or Do I not worry about it? What's the pickup look like in the tank, can it be obstructed with the cap? I'm guessing it can. I understand the tank is a real bear to remove, but can you gain access to the tank from the rear deak? I know there is an opening where the fuel level and hoses go in. How easy is this to remove, and if I do so, will I actually have access to inside the tank?

Thanks

If it was me I'd tell the kid to fix it.

If you take off the rubber hose connected to the filler-tube inside the trunk area, you might be able to fish it out. I'm guessing the object could get sucked on to the pickup and block some gas flow (depending on size).

Edit - Just thought about the fuel pump access panel under the rear deck carpet. It might be easier going that route.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/439697/4

Getting into the tank via the rear deck is rather easy since the pump is sitting right under the panel and the opening is quite wide. Just be careful not to spark against anything in the process... :D

With as many little shocks as I've been getting with this cold dry air, I'd wait for it to give you a problem.

::Shocked:

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Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Getting into the tank via the rear deck is rather easy since the pump is sitting right under the panel and the opening is quite wide. Just be careful not to spark against anything in the process... :D

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+1. Pull back carpet, remove access cover (about 6 screws), disconnect fuel plug and fuel lines (bring rags... they will spit on you), remove fuel pump (about 6 screws). This should leave you a hole in the tank that is plenty big enough for a 16 year old to stick his whole arm in the tank and feel around for stuff.

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Originally Posted by Titus

+1. Pull back carpet, remove access cover (about 6 screws), disconnect fuel plug and fuel lines (bring rags... they will spit on you), remove fuel pump (about 6 screws). This should leave you a hole in the tank that is plenty big enough for a 16 year old to stick his whole arm in the tank and feel around for stuff.

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Disco the battery first and then step on the brake for 5-10 seconds to drain any electrical remnants.

Isn't there a one-way ball valve type thingy between the fill spout and the tank? Seems like a cap would have gotten caught at that point and not gone on to the tank.

......and ground everything you can think of including the car to the ground. DO NOT use electrical tools. I would just leave it.

How can this happen? There is a flapper valve in the fill tube that closes as the nozzle is removed. IF the cap was on when it was thrust into the opening, it can't be too big, therefore it's not going to plug the pickup. The pickup lies horizontally and the screen is about four inches long. I wouldn't worry about it.

There is a sock on the end of the pick up that will prevent any problems.

Good point about static, I'd wait till spring and pull the pump.http://www.boostedmiata.com/fuel_pum...y%2520side.JPG

Have you looked in the filler neck to see if it is there? Have you tried adding more gas, and did that work?

Tell the kid to tie a match to a piece of coathanger, light it, and stick it down the filler tube ::Blowup:: . . . 2 lessons to remember :D

That was the same thing I was going to suggest. ;)

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Originally Posted by onething

Tell the kid to tie a match to a piece of coathanger, light it, and stick it down the filler tube ::Blowup:: . . . 2 lessons to remember :D

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I am with Merv on this one and the other guys. Don't worry about it. On my RX7 the baffle plates inside the tank broke loose. All that did was mess up the fuel float. I question if the plastic part even made it to the tank.

Thanks for all the input. I'm with most of you and am going to leave it alone, especially after seeing what the pickup looks like. I don't think it will cause any harm, and yes the kid has added more fuel to the car, and didn't report any problems filling it up.

kids :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Getting into the tank via the rear deck is rather easy since the pump is sitting right under the panel and the opening is quite wide. Just be careful not to spark against anything in the process... :D

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3Bean knows how easy it is to take out the pump. After he got the electrical problem solved, he an I watched about 2 gallons of $3.00 fuel spill out of the trunk last year when he went to fill it back up. ;)