Fuel tank sump well drain caps

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Chuck Lutz
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Re: Fuel tank sump well drain caps

Post by Chuck Lutz » Tue Jan 02, 2018 12:40 pm

I keep the front sump cap on all the time to keep mud, dirt, rocks, etc. that may hold moisture in the tank well and foster RUST in there. I leave the rear one off but it has occurred to me that there may be a venture effect that pulls dust/dirt up into the tank well that way as well so I may cap the rear of the tank well also.

Holes in anything are primarily to secure something or to drain something or to let something in....plugging up as many as possible to prevent the water or crud from getting into the floor of the jeep or worse...into the tank well where it can hold moisture and hasten rust is a good idea.
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GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947


Joe Gopan
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Re: Fuel tank sump well drain caps

Post by Joe Gopan » Tue Jan 02, 2018 2:12 pm

Removing the Jeep fuel tank periodically is the best insurance. It is also good old fashion US Army maintenance procedure. The space beneath the tanks are a good place for gravel, leaves, mud and other debris that causes rust holes from moisture and abrasion. Cleaning and spot painting is the cure. I have follow this rule since the 50's, CJ's require the same attention.
Last edited by Joe Gopan on Wed Jan 03, 2018 5:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Fuel tank sump well drain caps

Post by Ralph » Tue Jan 02, 2018 2:53 pm

Agree with Joel & Chuck- if your jeep gets caught in the open with an inch of rainfall,you'll be able to measure it in the sump...time to pull the caps & park her on a grade for a bit at the least...the old always & never rule rises here.
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Re: Fuel tank sump well drain caps

Post by Mark Jesic » Wed Jan 03, 2018 12:33 am

Some great information regarding this post, thanks guys. :D

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Chuck Lutz
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Re: Fuel tank sump well drain caps

Post by Chuck Lutz » Wed Jan 03, 2018 8:34 am

Not a bad idea to use some high pressure air to blow out the sump after the leaves have fallen and the summer of jeepin' has passed. If you find a LOT of crud blowing out of there you may want to remove the tank as Joel suggested but if you don't get anything but dust out of there and a leaf or two, you should be OK. Any water collecting in there needs to be removed though...removing the rear cap and parking on a hill may do that but so will jacking up the front end. High pressure air will once again blow out accumulated H2O in there and when it is no longer coming out, you should be good to go. This is predicated on the fact that you have at least once removed the tank and cleaned out any crud/rust and primed and painted it.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

conrod6
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Re: Fuel tank sump well drain caps

Post by conrod6 » Wed Jan 03, 2018 10:03 am

Drying out car bodies - I use a tubular heater which is an old design but still available in the UK - only 60 watts per foot and available up to 8 feet long - leave it on under the car in the garage and dry it right through.

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Re: Fuel tank sump well drain caps

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Jan 03, 2018 2:01 pm

How many of you have Jeep fuel tank bottoms that have pinholes with matching pinholes in the sheet metal underneath? Good reason to perform scheduled rust control.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO


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