Help I’ve Lost The End Of Syphon In Fuel Tank

Discussion in 'Triumph General Discussion' started by timboo, Oct 16, 2023.

  1. timboo

    timboo Senior Member

    Oct 17, 2021
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    #1 timboo, Oct 16, 2023
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2023
    As the title suggests I’ve royally screwed up. I decided to remove some of the fuel in prep for winter and the end of my syphon has come off inside my tank. Is there an easy way if getting to it?
    Annoyingly it worked a trick last year unfortunately got snagged this time.

    Is it case of fuel tank off?

    Its a thruxton R
     
  2. timboo

    timboo Senior Member

    Oct 17, 2021
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    #2 timboo, Oct 16, 2023
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2023
    Copper I think :-(

    I’m hazarding a guess i need to remove the tank and the fuel pump to gain better access. I dont own an endoscope and nice pair of small pincers to grab the damn thing unfortunately.
     
  3. Carl556

    Carl556 Senior Member

    Nov 13, 2019
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  4. timboo

    timboo Senior Member

    Oct 17, 2021
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  5. Carl556

    Carl556 Senior Member

    Nov 13, 2019
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    Perhaps easier to just lift the tank then. Not too hard a job if you give yourself plenty of time, a workshop manual and a decent supply of tea and biscuits :)
     
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  6. timboo

    timboo Senior Member

    Oct 17, 2021
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    I will give triumph parts a bell tomoz to see if i need to replace the gasket if i remove the fuel pump.
     
  7. timboo

    timboo Senior Member

    Oct 17, 2021
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    Yep tank off I reckon I have searched the forum for tank removal and the worst part seems to be the fuel line clip at the tank from what I can see.
     
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  8. FezUSA

    FezUSA Member

    Sep 1, 2023
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  9. Marco Wikstrom

    Marco Wikstrom Active Member

    Sep 28, 2023
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    #9 Marco Wikstrom, Oct 17, 2023
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2023
    It shouldn't be too difficult to siphon most of the fuel, remove the tank, invert it and shake it over an oil change tray until the siphon head comes out. Might have to remove the gas cap assembly if it gets in the way.

    To siphon fuel I use a 1-1/2 ft straight aluminum pipe attached to some clear hose - nothing to fall off.

    In my experience to store for winter I keep the gas tank full so there's less chance of condensation building up inside the tank. An empty cold tank will build up condensation causing rust and/or water in the fuel system. Add a little fuel preservative before riding to the gas station, and then more after the tank is full. This way the fuel preservative has a chance to work its way into the injector system.
     
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  10. timboo

    timboo Senior Member

    Oct 17, 2021
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    cheers didnt know that re full tank. I realised that I used 2 hoses last year one to blow the other for the fuel to leave. I now remember removing the end for that very reason
     
  11. timboo

    timboo Senior Member

    Oct 17, 2021
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    Lesson learnt managed to fish the culprit out following removal of the fuel pump, for once a gasket could be re used. Double checked with Triumph as thought it looked more substantial than others.
    Good to learn more about my bike.

    IMG_6708.jpeg

    IMG_6709.jpeg

    IMG_6706.jpeg
     
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  12. Col_C

    Col_C I can't re...Member

    Aug 5, 2015
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    Go fishing with one of these pick up tools.
     
  13. timboo

    timboo Senior Member

    Oct 17, 2021
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    I’m glad i didn’t use one of those having removed the fuel pump and found that there are delicate wires inside the fuel tank.
     
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  14. Col_C

    Col_C I can't re...Member

    Aug 5, 2015
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    Yeah, they can be a bit sharp.
     
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  15. timboo

    timboo Senior Member

    Oct 17, 2021
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    Amazing pieces of kit these motorcycles are
     
  16. andypandy

    andypandy Crème de la Crème

    Jan 10, 2016
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    I've got a 71 cb250 and I was cleaning the tank out a few years ago, the bike hadn't run for over twenty years. I was a bit surprised to flush out half a hacksaw blade. How the heck did that get in there ? :eek:
     
  17. jackyma09

    jackyma09 Member

    Aug 10, 2023
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    That's a tough situation. It might be necessary to remove the fuel tank to get to the stuck piece. I recommend checking with a mechanic or consulting the Thruxton R's guidelines for the best way to handle it.
     
  18. timboo

    timboo Senior Member

    Oct 17, 2021
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    Cheers I ended up removing the tank and fuel pump then fishing it out in the end. Wont be doing that in a hurry again.
    Images posted several months back thanks anyway.
     
  19. RickM46

    RickM46 Active Member

    Oct 12, 2023
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    Is there a step by step for tank removal or a link that you found for tank removal?
     
  20. timboo

    timboo Senior Member

    Oct 17, 2021
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    #20 timboo, Dec 21, 2023
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2023
    I didnt find one for my particular bike but i did watch this one from memory as a starting point.

    https://www.triumphrat.net/threads/t120-tank-removal.797849/

    The most difficult part is detaching the fuel line as the clip was really tough. I’ve seen u can buy a tool not sure how effective it is.

    There are a few things which i did not see mentioned which I learnt as going along.

    In terms of steps I did the following

    1. Bike on paddock stand
    2. Remove seat
    3. Disconnect and remove battery
    4. place several towels onto the back end of the bike so can slide the tank backwards.
    5. undo and remove single bolt fixing tank nearest the battery.
    6. slide tank slightly off its fixing at front cant remember if it was backwards or forwards but its only slightly then slide tank back around 4-5 inches onto towels whilst lifting and placing a piece of 3x2 under the front end to raise the tank for access beneath.
    7. Stop breathe for a moment and have a good look around to get an understanding of what needs disconnecting.
    8. Disconnect power cable
    9. disconnect the overflow pipe
    10. Locate fuel line connector on offside of bike not at entry to tank.
    Pull clip back. Press both sides of plug beneath which have been revealed. I think i used 2 alan keys to oress on both sides. Remove plug (this part was fiddly and took many attempts as you need to be gentle)
    11. Place work bench next to bike. Lay further towels on work bench
    12. Place tank onto work bench
    13. I needed access to the bottom of the tank so turned tank over.
    14. Unscrewed fuel pump and lifted it partially out.
    15. Re attached fuel pump but make sure breather outlet has a hise on it or is covered. When re attaching fuel pump it causes fuel to leak out of the breather as the tank is upside down.
    Once fuel pump re attached turn tank over fuel stops coming out.

    Think thats about all I did.

    Towels and soft wood or some other soft material to support the tank are really important to prevent damage to the underside of the tank.

    Note I called triumph who gave me the correct torque for the fuel pump fixings. Think it was 5nm but i’ve slept since. The gasket can be re used.

    I’m sure other people may have a different approach but this way worked for me.
    Some of my terminology may also be out re breather hose and overflow as I’m not a mechanic in fact far from it.
     
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