Spitfire Spitfire gas tank questions

[IanF]

Last night I attemted to pull the fuel level sender to check the float for leaks. However, I'm not sure how much fuel is in the tank and don't want to risk spilling gas into the trunk, so I figured I'd drain the tank... sounds simple enough...

NOT. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

In the filler neck there's a metal mesh strainer that keeps large items from falling into the tank. Probably a good thing as I fished two small sticks out of it... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif But the strainer makes gettign a hose down there to siphone the gas out rather difficult.

So how does the bloody thing come out?

Both the Blue-book and Haynes manual are sorely lacking in information about the fuel tank:

"step one: drain fuel from tank..." Gee... thanks... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonod.gif

 

[TR4nut]

I've had a 74 and a 78 spit, neither had a strainer so I suspect this was an add on from a previous owner. You might consider disconnecting at the fuel pump and just letting gravity help you - can get messy if you are not careful though.

 

[Guest]

I have drained my TR6 from the bottom by lifting the car and cutting the rubber joint in the fuel line and letting drain into funnel into fuel can. Then renew the rubber with fresh hose. Is the Spit similar.

Bill

 

[Andrew Mace]

I vaguely remember such "strainers" sold as anti-siphon devices back during the oil embargoes of the 1970s; perhaps that is what you're...uh...stuck with?