I removed the pickup line from the diesel fuel tank of my Hunter 34 sailboat. I was hoping to find an obvious problem that would explain my recent “out of fuel” problem documented here. The fitting/assembly came out of the tank easily and I didn’t break or lose anything!! Yeah!
Sadly, the “obvious” was missing. Even under slight vacuum, there was no leak in the assembly. I’m stumped – I was sure the problem was a hole/leak in the pickup tube. The one possibility that I could brainstorm while sitting in the locker was that perhaps the host clamp was not tight and would draw fuel from a short distance but would then start sucking air when more “lift” was required. To address this, I used two hose clamps and ensured that they were tight.
This is a miserable problem to test as it requires running until out of fuel. To date, that has never happened in open water. It always occurs in the middle of a small channel or someplace rather inconvenient.
I saw your post to the Hunter Owners website. I have to remove the pickup tube on my H36. Did you place a wrench on the square 90 fitting to remove or on the nut below it? I have tried to turn the fitting without success but I saw in one of the posts in answer to yours say loosen the nut. My hookup looks like your 2nd picture. Thanks
Hi Larry – I first disconnected the fuel hose and then put a wrench on the large hex nut shown in the second photo and a wrench on the square 90 degree fitting. Then turned the square fitting. The large hex nut that is flat against the tank does not turn (on my installation). I was really worried about damaging the tank or stripping the fitting but mine came out very easily. If yours does not turn relatively easily, I would be very careful. Try soaking it with a thread penetrant for several days and then try again.
thanks. I tried a thread penetrating oil and let it sit a week and then did it again. My fitting is being stubborn. I’ll just keep trying. It was removed by a mechanic a couple of years ago so I know it can be removed.