Aussie Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Ferrets seem to be topical at the moment so thought I'd run this past you. One of the Ferrets became incontinent - leaking radiator so re-cored that. Now can't get fuel from the tank. Both fuel lines blocked and only able to clear one of them with the compressor, so now emptying the tank to get both lines off and unblock'em. My question - and I'm not expecting any easy solution but you never know - is how to get whatever crud is in the bottom of the tank out without removing the tank (and doing the job properly, I hear you say!). Is there something I can put in the tank for a while and then drain it out? I thought off putting a compressor hose into the tank to blow stuff around and hopefully loosen most of the dross but even that would work better if there was some sort of solution in the tank to swill around. I vaguely remember a petrol tank reconditioning item - might have been POR8 but really can't recall - that included something to clean the tank first.....? Cheers James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grasshopper Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 I had to remove the fuel tank on a Ferret we had - wasn't too bad to do in the end, certainly helps to have someone outside the vehicle to pass you tools! Ours was such a state it had to be cut open and shot blasted. I then coated it with POR15 (which comes with a cleaning solution) to prevent future issues. Unfortunately there is no easy way to clean the tank out. What you can do is remove and clean up the banjo bolts in the bottom of the tank sides, which can be accessed through the belly plates. They are known to accumulate crud, and can be modified to pick up fuel at a slightly higher level by the addition of a short length of pipe. This helps prevent some of the tank crud being sucked into the fuel lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Posted September 12, 2017 Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 Thanks for the advice. Seems a good idea to increase the hight of the pickups. Also sounds as if the tank could be removed without too much drama so I'll have another think about that too. Thanks again. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grasshopper Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Here's a couple of pictures of what the inside of our fuel tank looked like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmmoMan Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 POR15 worked very well on my jeep fuel tank, not cheap but way cheaper than a new tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Posted September 13, 2017 Author Share Posted September 13, 2017 Lovely pictures! So I think I should try taking the tank out and doing the job properly. But... don't have EMERs that show how to do it, so any help is appreciated. I understand how it needs to come forward through the fighting compartment - no problem since it's a Mk1. I'm not sure how many fixing bolts I should be looking for. Can see one on both front corners but suspect there might be more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Posted September 13, 2017 Author Share Posted September 13, 2017 Worked it out. Just 2 bolts at each front corner. Fair bit of mucking about to get stuff out of the way but have it in the fighting compartment. Now waiting for some young muscles to help lift it out and then I'll give it the POR 15 treatment. Certainly looks (and smells) pretty evil at present, so I'm glad that I "bit the bullet"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankdiver Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 I have taken the tank out on all the ferrets I have had 5 in total. the worst one had a tar like gunge all the way up the pipes and took a lot of time and air pressure to unblock it. I thought it may only have about a couple of gallons in it. It was a mad rush to find more cans it finished up with 2.5 jerrycans and tons all over me and the floor.It really irritated the skin like burning.The tank will go through the turret and is not that heavy but needs a little jiggling.once out a good clean and soak with thinners hot soapy water then jet wash final petrol wash. Laurence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grasshopper Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 You could still smell the tar from our tank some weeks after we drained it, and that was outdoors! Glad i wore gloves and managed not to get too much on my overalls, which also stank for weeks despite various soakings and washings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Posted September 14, 2017 Author Share Posted September 14, 2017 Know what you mean about the stink! Took off a banjo bolt - completely blocked of course. Re the mod to increase the height of the petrol pickup, do I just jam a bit of metal pipe in the opening or should it be fixed somehow (solder, etc?). I'm thinking it might vibrate out if it isn't stuck securely. Interestingly (surprise surprise) the fuel gauge sender is stuck on "half full". Plan to soak it +/- dismantle to try to free it up, but is it more likely to be knackered? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grasshopper Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 Our sender unit un-seized after a god soaking and some careful cleaning and moving about (they're quite delicate). Not that it made much difference to the accuracy of the gauge.... There is aright up on the banjo bolt modification here, about 3/4 of the way down the page - http://www.ferret-fv701.co.uk/useful_info.htm Vince Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starfire Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 Silver soldering will work a treat for the banjo extension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Posted September 14, 2017 Author Share Posted September 14, 2017 Thanks Vince Lots of useful info on that page, as well as the banjo bolt mod! Cheers James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Posted September 15, 2017 Author Share Posted September 15, 2017 (edited) A mod of the mod! Couldn't find brass tube so bought a couple of joiners: Very light run with the lathe to trim the threads down enough for a tight fit, then hit them in with a hammer. Didn't solder or braze because they're so firmly in that I don't reckon they'll ever budge. Et voila! Edited: Not so smart after all! The hole in the tank steps in, so you need a straight tube to fit it in. Trimmed the fitting on the lathe. Think I'll put a thin bead of JB Weld but they're hammered in a tight so probably don't need it. Edited September 24, 2017 by Aussie I wasn't as smart as I thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Posted September 20, 2017 Author Share Posted September 20, 2017 Oh dear. Sent the fuel tank off for cleaning and they've broken 3 of the 4 mounting brackets. These consist of two metal plates separated by a rubber bush that is glued on, and those have become unstuck. Does anyone know if the rubber bush can somehow be glued back on, and if so, with what (or by whom)? I might be able to source some if all else fails, but not sure if they're the correct hands. Or any other suggestions for alternative way to mount the tank - I must say I'm not entirely sure that resilient rubber mountings are really necessary, given the small amount of driving done. Thought of putting a bolt through to hold the pieces together and maybe that would work? Thanks James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana and Jackie Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Superglue...Bostik, Evostik breakdown with age. They were probably vulcanised on. Diana Oh dear. Sent the fuel tank off for cleaning and they've broken 3 of the 4 mounting brackets. These consist of two metal plates separated by a rubber bush that is glued on, and those have become unstuck. Does anyone know if the rubber bush can somehow be glued back on, and if so, with what (or by whom)? I might be able to source some if all else fails, but not sure if they're the correct hands. Or any other suggestions for alternative way to mount the tank - I must say I'm not entirely sure that resilient rubber mountings are really necessary, given the small amount of driving done. Thought of putting a bolt through to hold the pieces together and maybe that would work? Thanks James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Garwood Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 On 9/15/2017 at 8:25 AM, Aussie said: A mod of the mod! Couldn't find brass tube so bought a couple of joiners: Very light run with the lathe to trim the threads down enough for a tight fit, then hit them in with a hammer. Didn't solder or braze because they're so firmly in that I don't reckon they'll ever budge. Et voila! Edited: Not so smart after all! The hole in the tank steps in, so you need a straight tube to fit it in. Trimmed the fitting on the lathe. Think I'll put a thin bead of JB Weld but they're hammered in a tight so probably don't need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Garwood Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 Help! Where in the world can I get one of these mine has just fractured through the horizontal fuel hole! I cannot find one anywhere but suspect they were made to fit a multitude of military vehicles. I am in UK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wally dugan Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 ring RICHARD BANNISTER on 01797 2532211 he stocks them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Garwood Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 Thank you I will call him. Next job is getting the broken one out!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted August 5, 2018 Share Posted August 5, 2018 On 8/4/2018 at 6:37 PM, Peter Garwood said: Thank you I will call him. Next job is getting the broken one out!!! Hi Peter, Correcton to Richard Banister's number, it is 01797 253211 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Garwood Posted August 5, 2018 Share Posted August 5, 2018 (edited) Thanks for that correction! Looks like I am going to have to pull the tank as the broken part is just not budging. So turret off... does anyone know what it (the turret) weighs?? Would a farm tractor bucket be able to lift it? Edited August 5, 2018 by Peter Garwood clarification Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starfire Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 Turret weighs about 270kg. A tractor shouldn't have a problem with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Garwood Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 Thanks, I was hoping that would be the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Garwood Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 On 9/13/2017 at 9:58 AM, Aussie said: Hello, I am pulling the tank. Turret out the way. Did you remove all the electrical kit on the RHS (when looking at tank inside of the fighting compartment) of the compartment. I am considering changing to electrical fuel pump but will double check the existing mechanical pump. Was there anything particularly problematic about the removal? Thanks Peter Worked it out. Just 2 bolts at each front corner. Fair bit of mucking about to get stuff out of the way but have it in the fighting compartment. Now waiting for some young muscles to help lift it out and then I'll give it the POR 15 treatment. Certainly looks (and smells) pretty evil at present, so I'm glad that I "bit the bullet"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.