plugged fitting,need solution

[ronboonville]

I have this 4 gallon tank and the fuel pickup tube is plugged past the elbow. I have tried carb cleaner, pb blaster, pressure, oven cleaner and of course trying to get a wire past the 90 to no avail. Currently I have vinegar in the elbow. Next I plan to drill into it from the top and use a small rod. Anyone have a better idea please comment.

[bob-d]

Take the screws off,and go up from the bottom?

[ronboonville]

Bob, That was my first thought but I can’t get the screws loose. I have tried my impact driver but can’t get them to budge. Maybe use heat next to the plate? Not wanting to burn paint but might risk it.
I think the blockage is at the top of the tube, not at the screen.

[dave-bernard]

drill the heads off I would be VERY CAREFULL WITH HEAT there is gas in there. KABOOM.

[crosbyman]

try a freeze shock … get a keyboard air cleaning can from the Dollar store…

invert the can and freeze the bolt for 20 seconds then try the impact tool…or try PB blaster soaking the screws a while. .

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[PugetSoundBoater]

quote Dave Bernard:

drill the heads off I would be VERY CAREFULL WITH HEAT there is gas in there. KABOOM.

X2 on the heat, that was my first thought,KABOOM.
If you do want to use heat on it, fill the tank completely with water first.

"Some people want to know how a watch works, others just want to know what time it is"
Robbie Robertson

[need2fish]

Perhaps a bit of compressed air, applied sparingly ?

[bob-d]

Try a mix of 50% acetone / 50% ATF fluid on the rusted screws.That mix is amazing on rusted bolts. Let it sit for a while. Has saved my butt many times. I keep a squirt bottle on my workbench.Don’t drill anything yet.

[auldscott]

I have had some success with chucking a short piece of flexible shaft (here, a wire wound guitar 6th string would be about right) in a drill and spinning the flexible shaft as I push it in. Turn it in the direction that tightens the outside wire. You might also put a small kink in the very end of the shaft and see what happens.

[aquasonic]

If the supply is clogged that badly, then the top really should come off the tank in order to clean the intake screen and tube. The tank most likely needs a good cleaning inside anyway.

As others have mentioned, you can safely apply heat to the screws by washing out the tank several times, filling it with water, and leaving the cap off. Those screws will come loose with enough heat, penetrating oil, and use of an impact driver. It may take a few cycles. Go slow.

Improvise-Adapt-Overcome

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