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Blockage in gas tank filler neck

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by taco57, Jul 26, 2022.

  1. Jul 26, 2022 at 4:03 AM
    #1
    taco57

    taco57 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    All,

    I have what is now a very annoying issue when it comes to filling my tank on my truck. '03 extended cab.
    I use Stabil 360 ethanol treatment routinely because I have seen the effects of ethanol in my vehicles and lawn equipment. Just my OCD kicking in I suppose, but that's me.
    My situation is the little cap seal from the bottle went down the filler neck and while I was concerned about it getting into the tank causing issues, that is not the case. It is lodged somewhere down the neck down by the tank which is causing the gas station nozzle to stop filling because that's what it is designed to do. I have to stand there and very slowly flow gas into the tank because of that cap seal is blocking the flow.
    Is there a screen at the end of the filler neck where this piece could be stopping the flow? Any suggestions as to how to get it out besides removing the bed and filler neck assembly? I wonder if I can snake something down there to retrieve the cap without disassembling everything.
    Thoughts?
     
  2. Jul 26, 2022 at 4:16 AM
    #2
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    You could try a Chinese finger tool not sure how much luck you would have.

    Are you fueling your truck every day or more then once a day?

    Good luck.
     
  3. Jul 26, 2022 at 4:46 AM
    #3
    taco57

    taco57 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I tried the finger tool, it is almost impossible. I have a borescope that I used to see the piece, just not successful in grabbing it with the tool. That was before my next refueling which I am sure sent the piece further down the neck perhaps to the tank screen, assuming there is one there.
    I just fill up once a week or so.
     
  4. Jul 26, 2022 at 4:58 AM
    #4
    davidstacoma

    davidstacoma Friendly Curmudgeon

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    What tool did you use to try to grab it with? Something like this?
    https://www.amazon.com/Grabber-flexible-Four-claw-magnetic-01-Picker/dp/B07BT3X4FV
     
  5. Jul 26, 2022 at 5:00 AM
    #5
    taco57

    taco57 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Exactly.
     
  6. Jul 26, 2022 at 5:01 AM
    #6
    taco57

    taco57 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    One thought I have is perhaps a strong transfer pump that would be able to suck the piece out. ??
     
  7. Jul 26, 2022 at 5:38 AM
    #7
    alarka

    alarka Well-Known Member

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    Use a vacuum with a piece of hose small enough to fit in the filler neck. When the vacuum picks up the cap seal the tone of the vacuum will change to sound stopped up. A friend of mine did the same thing with a bottle of fuel injection cleaner.
     
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  8. Jul 26, 2022 at 5:50 AM
    #8
    taco57

    taco57 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I thought about the vacuum but am concerned about the gasoline vapors in and around the vacuum motor. What kind of vacuum did he use?
     
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  9. Jul 26, 2022 at 5:55 AM
    #9
    cory02taco

    cory02taco Well-Known Member

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    If you have an air compressor you can try one of those harbor freight vacuum brake bleeders. I’ve used those to suck out everything from motorcycle/snowmobile fuel tanks, master cylinders, and have picked up many of those foil caps.
    Edit;
    Like this one
    Limited-time deal: winmax Pneumatic Brake Fluid Bleeder w/4 Master Cylinder Metal Adapters 90-120 PSI American, European and Japanese Inlet Thread Type https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DDF2J1X
     
  10. Jul 26, 2022 at 7:26 AM
    #10
    Tuluk

    Tuluk Well-Known Member

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    I just had my filler neck off and cut it up to fit a flatbed. There is no screen at the bottom end, there is a spring loaded flap. I imagine if the piece got all the way to the bottom end of the filler neck it would get caught in the accordion metal section at the bottom, or get caught at the flap that exits into the tank.
     
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  11. Jul 26, 2022 at 7:48 AM
    #11
    taco57

    taco57 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So, with this tool you have successfully used a long hose down through a filler neck like my situation?
     
  12. Jul 26, 2022 at 7:50 AM
    #12
    taco57

    taco57 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I am trying to get a picture of this in my head, I have seen an accordion looking rubber hose towards the tank, is that what you are referring to? What does the flap do, open to let fuel into the tank?
     
  13. Jul 26, 2022 at 7:57 AM
    #13
    SH10151

    SH10151 Farang

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    That might be the last thing he does.

    DON’T DO THIS.

    See if you can get a long hemostat/needle driver from a medical supply store. It’s got little alligator clamps that you can use to dive down in there.
     
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  14. Jul 26, 2022 at 7:59 AM
    #14
    cory02taco

    cory02taco Well-Known Member

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    It pulls a vacuum by using air pressure, there’s no reason it shouldn’t work, although I guess static could be an issue. I have picked up many things using this method, but not your exact situation, no.
    Thinking about it some more, you should be able to pull the filler hose off the tank, the foil piece is stuck on the roll over valve which is the spring loaded thing mentioned above. Pulling the hose would allow access to the foil.
     
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  15. Jul 26, 2022 at 8:00 AM
    #15
    taco57

    taco57 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The vacuum thing is a little concerning, especially if it is run by an electric motor.
     
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  16. Jul 26, 2022 at 8:02 AM
    #16
    taco57

    taco57 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    With the exception of the mess it would be for me because of the Fluid Film coating I have everywhere, that solution sounds reasonable. Just not sure how easily the hose would disconnect from the tank.
     
  17. Jul 26, 2022 at 8:02 AM
    #17
    cory02taco

    cory02taco Well-Known Member

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    Using a vacuum cleaner would be dangerous. The thing I posted has no electric components.
     
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  18. Jul 26, 2022 at 8:05 AM
    #18
    taco57

    taco57 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    True. All air pressure/vacuum which is safe.
     
  19. Jul 26, 2022 at 8:18 AM
    #19
    John43

    John43 Well-Known Member

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    Try fastening a small nonmetallic hook to the borescope.
     
  20. Jul 26, 2022 at 8:23 AM
    #20
    OffroadToy

    OffroadToy old, forgetful, and decomposing

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    Hope you get it out. I use Techron gas additive regularly and use this just in case (has a screen.) I don't remove the pita foil seal anymore... just put a hole in it and your good to go.
    images_ae75eac53ad77026117840029a4bf5fe96a758ec.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2022
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