Indside the Fuel tank - wierd metal thing?

[Dee 4x4]

Hey guys. I managed to remove my fuel tank to fix a small hole in the bottom but something here has confused me.

I unscrewed the 6 screws on the section on the top of the tank to get inside. I removed the section from the top of the tank which had two long pipes coming off it, one larger one and one smaller one. However, upon removing this piece of metal with the pipes attached to it, I noticed that inside the fuel tank there is a large metal container-like object which was surrounding these pipes and is now loose inside.

Is this some mechanism that prevents air entering the pipes when fuel is splashing around? Or some containing that keeps a little fuel in it when the tank fully drains?

I have no idea, and now that it is loose inside, I don't see how it can be reattached to the pipes at all. Anyone who has any idea what this is please help. I'm dumbfounded and unsure if I can just fix the hole then whack everything back together or if this container thing has to be realigned somehow with the fuel pipes.

Thanks for the help.

Drew.

[jtraf]

it's a swirl pot built into the coliy tank. Will always have fuel inside it even when tanks on an angel etc etc.

You will need to put it back into the right spot and connect it up correctly...

HTH

James

[PJ.zook]

I cant be sure, but it is most likely what you thought, a metal bowl that the pickup sits in, that doesnt quickly drain of fuel when the tank is almost empty and youre going round a corner or up/down an incline. So the engine has a constant supply of fuel.

[Dee 4x4]

Thanks for the help with this guys. Mission success!

It was a swirl pot and the dodgy spot welds had come loose which was why it was floating around when I opened up the tank.

This afternoon I drilled out the hole in the bottom of the tank to accomodate a 6mm bolt (opposed to 4mm) and then holding the swirl pot in place (axe handle through the opening in the top of the tank) held the pot down firmly and drilled up through it from underneath.

I then manouvred my bolt (which I had cut a slit in the end with a hacksaw to stop it spinning when I tightened it) down through the opening and through both swirl pot and tank using a coathanger which I then bolted from the outside using a washer and a snippet of fuel hose to seal it.

Filled her back up and she kicked over first go. Very happy with the outcome and thanks to those on here who assisted in this post and my last.

[PJ.zook]

You drilled through a fuel tank that contained fuel?

[Dee 4x4]

You drilled through a fuel tank that contained fuel?

Ha no way. The tank was removed from the vehicle. There's really no other way that I'd be able to see inside it and also manage to manouvre and bolt down the swirl pot.

I was working through the opening in the top of the tank that holds the fuel lines, not down the filler hose

[PJ.zook]

I get that, but fuel vapours are worse than fuel in its liquid state, i woulda been shitting myself drilling thru it even after flushing it a million times.
Ya just cant get rid of the vapour

[muppet_man67]

I get that, but fuel vapours are worse than fuel in its liquid state, i woulda been shitting myself drilling thru it even after flushing it a million times.
Ya just cant get rid of the vapour

fuel vapor wouldnt hand around that long, and even if it did, would only be enough to singe the hairs on your arms.

[PJ.zook]

If the vapours explode in the tank it might blow the seams if it cant get out quick enough.