Reserve Fuel Tank - How does this work

S

Scott Parton

New Member
I have recently brought a 1973 2000SC. When I collected it it was running on the reserve fuel tank (lever pulled out) when I got it home and began to play with it I pushed the lever in (very stiff) and the smell of petrol was overwhelming. That was a few months ago, I have since worked on the car and fired her up last week end. The tank(s) were empty and I put 10 litres into the tank, she would fire but not run until I pulled out the reserve lever. Now she runs fine but I am afraid to push the lever in in case she dumps the fuel. Does anyone know how the reserve tank works?
The car was a owners club car reg SXD 851L does anyone out there know any history on it?
Many thanks
 
Hello Scott,
there is only one tank but two pipes sticking up inside the tank, one higher than the other.
The highest is the normal fuel feed and the lower is the reserve. When you pull the reserve lever you are turning a little brass valve mounted on the lower, n/s firewall which changes from one feed pipe to the other.
The main fuel line may be blocked and the rubber "O" rings in the valve can perish and cause fuel to leak.
Hope this helps you.
Regards, John.
 
Is the O ring a special part, petrol proof or something or do you just buy a bag of small O rings and select one that fits ?
Easier to have the bits to hand before you pull it apart
 
as long as the o ring is solvent prof....that means it dont shrivel when immerse in solvent the it will be fine with petrol....for now why not bypass the fuel reserve tap located on the drivers side of the engine bay near the chassis leg..or remove the tap and take it apart on the bench...a little screw holds the tap together the remove the o ring and go get another one..then as haynes say refit is reverse of removal....
 
hi scott,
as well as renewing the 'o' ring, you will have to clean the main fuel line out as if it is only running on reserve, the main feed line will be full of years of muck and rust particles from your tank, which will be blocking fuel from getting down the line and to the carbs. remove both ends of the petrol pipe and blow it out with an air-line if you have one.

ianp6man
 
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