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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8428
Location: Arizona
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 Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 10:24 am Post subject: Re: Fuel tank not filling…. |
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If it was a brand new tank you installed 2 years ago, it doesn't have the internal screen gizmos that the original tanks had. There could still be an issue internally, just not with the screen thingamabobs.
| djkeev wrote: |
Inside of my new tank. Much simpler, notice that there are no filter screens.
The pick up and return hoses still feed into the circular well but just enter through slots cut into the square sheet metal cover plate. |
As for the ball, when my tank was resealed years ago, like most, the ball was out of its cage, floating around inside the tank. Reinstalled the ball and have never used the "high" setting on a fuel pump to give the ball a fighting chance at staying in its cage (and have never had a fill-up issue since). Just put a camera down the tube and was pleasantly surprised to see the ball still sitting in the cage. I would surmise the ball is not your issue, and it's just a coincidence.
_________________
~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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Icebox500
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2021
Posts: 211
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 1:30 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel tank not filling…. |
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Thanks, yup, brand new tank two years ago.
Thanks for the photos.
| kamzcab86 wrote: |
If it was a brand new tank you installed 2 years ago, it doesn't have the internal screen gizmos that the original tanks had. There could still be an issue internally, just not with the screen thingamabobs.
| djkeev wrote: |
Inside of my new tank. Much simpler, notice that there are no filter screens.
The pick up and return hoses still feed into the circular well but just enter through slots cut into the square sheet metal cover plate. |
As for the ball, when my tank was resealed years ago, like most, the ball was out of its cage, floating around inside the tank. Reinstalled the ball and have never used the "high" setting on a fuel pump to give the ball a fighting chance at staying in its cage (and have never had a fill-up issue since). Just put a camera down the tube and was pleasantly surprised to see the ball still sitting in the cage. I would surmise the ball is not your issue, and it's just a coincidence. |
_________________
87 Westy 2WD “Van Geaux”
2.2 Rebuilt WB
AZ Transaxle + Peloquin Manual Transmission
GW lift springs, solar, Burley front disc, etc...
New Orleans, LA (previously CO, WA, and CA)
Past
87, 90 Westys
64, 65 splittys + various air cooled |
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Icebox500
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2021
Posts: 211
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 1:31 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel tank not filling…. |
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This is an interesting theory. Surprised after only two years but a possibility and sounds very much like what I’m going through.
| ?Waldo? wrote: |
| It's not uncommon for the tube going from filter to tank outlet to develop a leak. When that happens, the tank will only flow down to the point of the leak (e.g. at 1/2 or 1/3 of a tank). The rest of the fuel just remains in the tank. That happened to me in my '91. It would only accept 7 or 8 gallons and would "run out of fuel" when the tank was still ~1/2 full. Replacing the tank is the simple solution. |
_________________
87 Westy 2WD “Van Geaux”
2.2 Rebuilt WB
AZ Transaxle + Peloquin Manual Transmission
GW lift springs, solar, Burley front disc, etc...
New Orleans, LA (previously CO, WA, and CA)
Past
87, 90 Westys
64, 65 splittys + various air cooled |
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DanHoug
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 5669
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 1:43 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel tank not filling…. |
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USB snake cameras for the phone are less than $20. next time you run out, see how much fuel is in the tank. beats putting a tank on your chest because you THINK it is not emptying.
however, on a normally functioning tank, it is sorta unusual that 2 gallons will get you going again once you've ran out. frequently takes 5-7 gallons to get the pump to draw.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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Icebox500
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2021
Posts: 211
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 2:32 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel tank not filling…. |
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I’ve heard that 4-5 gallon number before too.
Yeah, I have a plumbing camera (small) I may try to use to peek inside. I agree, I’d like to know all I can before dropping the tank!
| DanHoug wrote: |
USB snake cameras for the phone are less than $20. next time you run out, see how much fuel is in the tank. beats putting a tank on your chest because you THINK it is not emptying.
however, on a normally functioning tank, it is sorta unusual that 2 gallons will get you going again once you've ran out. frequently takes 5-7 gallons to get the pump to draw. |
_________________
87 Westy 2WD “Van Geaux”
2.2 Rebuilt WB
AZ Transaxle + Peloquin Manual Transmission
GW lift springs, solar, Burley front disc, etc...
New Orleans, LA (previously CO, WA, and CA)
Past
87, 90 Westys
64, 65 splittys + various air cooled |
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zerotofifty
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 3732
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 5:49 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel tank not filling…. |
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| Icebox500 wrote: |
I’ve heard that 4-5 gallon number before too.
Yeah, I have a plumbing camera (small) I may try to use to peek inside. I agree, I’d like to know all I can before dropping the tank!
| DanHoug wrote: |
USB snake cameras for the phone are less than $20. next time you run out, see how much fuel is in the tank. beats putting a tank on your chest because you THINK it is not emptying.
however, on a normally functioning tank, it is sorta unusual that 2 gallons will get you going again once you've ran out. frequently takes 5-7 gallons to get the pump to draw. |
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I recently ran me tank out of gas, put in the contents of a 2.5 gallon gas can, and she fired right up after about four attempts of cranking her over. each crank about five seconds long.
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Sorry About That Chief.
Give Peace a Chance.
Words to live by. |
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Icebox500
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2021
Posts: 211
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2025 12:52 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel tank not filling…. |
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Just wanted to say thanks for all the advice. I think I’ve gone from “I have this seemingly crazy problem” to having two unrelated likely problems.
1. Unreliable fuel gauge (known issue)
2. Unable to burn all the fuel in my tank
I no longer think I have a fill up issue. Needed the info here to point me in the right direction.
Not an emergency but something I’ll want to address soon, once we get home!
_________________
87 Westy 2WD “Van Geaux”
2.2 Rebuilt WB
AZ Transaxle + Peloquin Manual Transmission
GW lift springs, solar, Burley front disc, etc...
New Orleans, LA (previously CO, WA, and CA)
Past
87, 90 Westys
64, 65 splittys + various air cooled |
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