Fuel tank question??

"The Norm" · June 17, 2011, 08:23:46 PM

???We recently purchased a 1989 MCI 96A3 and we ran it out of fuel in the driveway. After picking up some fuel and getting it started we drove up to the local fuel station and found out that the tank was only half empty. Is it possible that the fuel pickup tube is broken? Is it easy to replace?
Thanks in advance!!

robertglines1 · June 18, 2011, 05:50:54 AM

Believe me any thing is possible. ask previous owner if possible? could be leaking gasket on filter or loose fuel line or tiny leak (air)in it or gasket. More research before tearing apart . Ck hose clamps on fuel lines first. If it's like the MCI 8's the fuel door removes easy and you can ck the connections at the tank easily. By raising the fuel level in the tank you could have raised the level above the air leak. surprised it started so easily. Did it have a diesel appliance (gen set or heater) the previous owner removed) if so was that line capped off? Just a few thoughts.

"The Norm" · June 18, 2011, 10:15:37 AM

Restarting was not too easy but after many hours of reading past posts on here I figured out how to get it going. It was to my surprise that it only took 70 gallons. We had just gotten back from a 420 mile trip and I was afraid that I was only getting 3 miles per gallon. I am afraid to take it on a long run and run out of fuel when the tank gets half full again.

wildbob24 · June 18, 2011, 12:15:09 PM

Just realized I put this comment in the wrong thread....moved to the 4905 fuel tank thread......my apologies.

Bob

"The Norm" · June 18, 2011, 03:01:14 PM

So is the fuel pick up tube something that can be replaced? Would it be best to call MCI parts for it?
Thanks for the help!!!!

Melbo · June 18, 2011, 03:11:02 PM

On the MC8 it is easy to remove and check the pick up tubes -- maybe someone will chime in on the A3

HTH

Melbo

gus · June 18, 2011, 07:27:51 PM

You could have a hole in the pickup tube at about the halfway level.

"The Norm" · July 02, 2011, 08:05:10 PM

Still hoping that someone can give me an idea how to remove the pickup tube. I don't want to remove the wrong thing.
Thanks!!

kyle4501 · July 03, 2011, 04:39:14 AM

Something similar happened to me once before - turned out that the fuel foam gave a false fill.

If that's the case, it is an easy fix