Fuel line blockage

[JohnRoss]

My Minor 1970 LCV has not been run for about three years. All the petrol which was in the tank has evaporated long time ago, leaving tank bone dry. What else would one expect in Cyprus! The fuel pump works properly and tries to suck (new) fuel through but can't.
I disconnected fuel line from pump and blew compressed air down it expecting to hear bubbles in tank...nothing! Just a lot of air pressure blow back when removing air pistol.
Disconnected fuel line at tank. Can blow air through easily from front. No blockage there.
Tried blowing air into tank from disconnected fuel line point hoping to hear bubbles...nothing.
My questions now are:
Should I expect to hear bubbles?
In the short pipe which bends within the tank, is there something like a ball-bearing non-return valve?
Its the only thing I can think is blocking this bit of pipe, possibly stuck in place by the dried up fuel?
Or could the filter be clogged?
All advice much appreciated.
John
Cyprus

[David53]

Sounds like the outlet at the tank is clogged, prob with residue from the old fuel. Take off the fuel line and have a bit of a poke gently with something

[bmcecosse]

If that doesn't work - you will need to remove the tank and clean it best you can.

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

There is a small filter inside the tank at the end of the pick up pipe which you can get at, its a sort of fine mesh. I had put a second hand tank in Dads car and had the same problem. After trying for a few hours I got frustrated with it and left it about a week and I think the new fuel must have melted the crud in the mesh as when I put the airline on it again it shifted and once linked up the pump started to do its job!

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Pipe may be clogged with gasoline gum as well as the tank; take it out and swill it round a few times with clean petrol. Shove a long, stout wire up the main pipe if you suspect it then connect it to a foot pump to blow any cobwebs out.

[JohnRoss]

CONCLUSION
Removed fuel line at connection to tank.
Pushed thin wire down hole into tank - wire crumpled.
Pushed stiffer wire down but it did not like going round 2 bends!!
"Zabond" from the morrisdownunder forum suggested using an old speedo cable powered by a rechargeable drill.
I didnt have an old speedo cable so slipped out the working one from the troubled minor!
Just fed it in square end first, went nicely round both bends. When it met blockage I just gently pushed and rotated cable by hand in both directions which cleared the blockage perfectly.
Speedo cable non the worse for wear was put back to its proper use again!
Thanks everyone
John

[bmcecosse]

Crikey !!!

[stag36587]

That's initiative for you - glad it worked

[lambrettalad]

FAB

[David53]

Good result. Must have really been gummed up!