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Test tank

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by mcrwt644, Mar 25, 2010.

  1. mcrwt644

    mcrwt644 Member

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    I just started looking at making a test tank...

    thank you google. Came across an idea that a bunch of guys were using anti freeze over flow bottles out of old cars! A length of fuel line, shut off valve, and voila!

    I think you could use a windshield washer bottle too.
     
  2. skeeter

    skeeter Member

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    i used an empty, thoroughly cleaned 1 gallon pinesol jug. shut off valve is key.
     
  3. davstarks

    davstarks Member

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    even a pop bottle would work
     
  4. lostboy

    lostboy Well-Known Member

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    Stop by a lawn mower repair guy and get a tank off a mower it may come with a shut off valve. Clean it out first.
     
  5. yamasarus

    yamasarus Member

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  6. davstarks

    davstarks Member

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    Or do what I did, put a longer fuel line on your existing tank and turn it around. It will rest in the frame where the seat goes. Add a bungee cord if your nervous about stability.
     
  7. tcoop

    tcoop Active Member

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    Old lawnmower tank. My brother was throwing it out So I snaged it. Cleand it and it works great
     
  8. ManBot13

    ManBot13 Well-Known Member

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    +1 on small engine tank. Here in MA, it makes sense to pull one of the snowblower...since it's season is mutually exclusive to the riding season.
     
  9. cutlass79500

    cutlass79500 Well-Known Member

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    i also bought the 1 off ebay works great $24.50 free shipping be hard pressed to make 1 for that price. i used to use pop bottles with rc car gas fillers on the end they work but not right because they have no vent very hard to set your float levels correctly with it also
     
  10. PainterD

    PainterD Active Member

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    I made my test tank out of a large plastic pop bottle. I cut out the bottom of it and glued a fuel line barb in the bottle cap to connect the hose to. I hang it upside down with a wire like a pale handle. It works perfect for tuning/synching the carbs.
     
  11. mcrwt644

    mcrwt644 Member

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    that is an excellent idea! I have a junk snowblower, and the tank is right there for the taking! cut off valve and some line and I am good to go! woohoo, thanks!
     
  12. ZaGhost

    ZaGhost Member

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    hehe another vote for lawnmower tank, picked up a mower for parts for $10 last year :)
     
  13. baytonemus

    baytonemus Member

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    Re: Test tank (and carb tuning)

    There was a reference in this thread last month to the need for venting in a test tank in order to be able to properly tune carbs. Can I assume that it is not necessary to connect the main tank's vacuum line to the test tank as long as it is vented in some way?
     
  14. cutlass79500

    cutlass79500 Well-Known Member

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    are you referring to the vac line to the petcock? if you are no but you have to have it on prime it wont work on on and res without vac hooked to it
     
  15. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

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    Great ideas guys, next time I'm driving around and see that someone has a lawnmower at the side of the curb for garbage I'll stop and either strip it or take the whole thing. Once I've got the tank I'll take the lawnmower to the salvage yard and get a few bucks for the scrap! 8)
     
  16. ManBot13

    ManBot13 Well-Known Member

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    No Vac line on the carbs when tuning. Get an extra intake port cap (so you have 4). Gas tanks need to be vented to atmosphere so as gas is removed from the tank it is replaced by air so the pressure in the tank is the same as the pressure in the float bowls (where gas ends up).
    If there is lower pressure in the tank, it exerts a force on the gas that fights gravity, and since the carbs are gravity fed, it keeps gas from going into the float bowl.

    As you run, the level in the bowls is reduced, and the mixture leans out because the fuel has to travel higher (i.e. it has less potential energy) before it gets into the air stream. That was a whole lot of info explaining why...but basically, if you run a small engine tank for a while, then unscrew the cap and hear a WHOOSH, then it's not vented or the vent is blocked.

    The Vacuum line is not a vent, it OPERATES the petcock by pulling on a valve and allowing gas to flow only if there is a vacuum in that line (i.e. the engine is running).
     
  17. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

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    Most newer lanmowers, yard equipment fuel caps are vented, but if in doubt drill a couple/few holes in the sucker, should eliminate any vacuum issues. :lol:
     
  18. baytonemus

    baytonemus Member

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    Great! That's excactly what I needed to know. Thanks!
     

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