Fuel starvation fix...possibly. Suggestions?
 

I found a guy that fixed the fuel starvation issue. Very simply he cut his tank in half and welded it closed haha. But this got me thinking of a fix, and here it is.

We need a way to keep fuel on the right side of the tank while turning right. What I thought of was a trap door. The distance from the top of the tank to the middle of the tank is not that high. What would need done is someone get a tank and cut it in half. Take a measurement of the middle and have a piece CnC machined to the size. I would then install hinges to the plate that was cut. On the hinge I would install very powerfully neodymium earth magnets. All you'd have to do is pop the fuel pump out, slip the door in, and let it stick to the tank. You'd be able to slide it into place to the center to close the gap and it'd only swing open when turning left.

Now some things to think about. What should the door be made of? Metal on metal contact will be happening in the tank, so should it be rubberized some how? Maybe the door should be made of plastic like a gas can, then weights be bolted onto the bottom of the door since it will be lighter. Also what about a baffle more than a door? When filling up with gas will fuel be able to make it to the left side of the tank if a solid piece? There's probably no way to seal it 100% so maybe that's enough for fuel to leak over when fueling. These are just questions I came up with. Here's some crude pics.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps5a3037ce.jpg

There are many obstructions in that area of the tank and the overall cutaway shape is very complex. There is also a longitudal baffle to be dealt with.

It's a good idea in theory but I have my doubts it could be done real world.

I don't think magnets will be strong enough to handle the weight of fuel pushing it.. It's very heavy.

I have always wondered how much it could possibly help though if someone were to try cramming the area with fuel cell foam. It will not fix it 100% but it might help enough to make a difference. This, and your idea, could potentially make filling the tank a bit of a hassle as I imagine the gas pump stopping short and having to wait a moment for fuel to transfer through (the filler is on the same side as the pump), then filling more... Possibly several times, or maybe not at all. Could be worth a shot for how cheap it is?

Anyway, if you want to try your idea..I could try my best to make you a template from my R&D tank.. But it will have to be a ways off to one side to avoid all the items in the fuel tank.

I think a permenantly attached wall with one way flaps would be a more successful twist of your idea.

I dunno... Food for thought anyway. I attached a picture for you, not sure if it will work right from my iPad.

Another pic to help visualize the floor plan you're up against.

R&D is done per Phunk. Support the sponsors here. Your getting into a lot of what ifs and R&D yourself that will be a Hugh headache. Phunk system is flawless and priced right with endless options to upgrade for future builds.

+1


Knowing myself I did wanted to relatively copy his setup which wouldnt have been too complicated but I ended avoiding having a bunch of headache on the setup.

I saw the baffle in there. I'd just cut it out since the door will act as something in there now. Although if filling is an issue maybe that inch or so left open would be a nice leak point. But if its to much than it'd have to go.

Magnets should be strong enough as long as the hinges can move very freely. Like blowing on the plate freely. That should take any weight out of the equation.

I see that stuff in there now. I don't think my 13 has all that. I'll have to go look. But if it does the hinge and magnet should slide right up to the piece since the hinge will make the door stick out further allowing clearance.

Your idea would be better but I'm trying to avoid cutting and getting the tank full of shrapnel.

I'd take a templet though if offered. Or I buy a tank at the yard for $200.

Magnets to do what? Remember now you want your car safe in case of a roll or left upside down.

he's saying that magnets probably aren't going to be enough to hold the flap when when 50 lbs of fuel comes sloshing up against it. Is the fuel tank even magnetic? if it's an austenetic grade your boned.

It's semi-magnetic so they will stick but with reduced pull strength

To hold the door to the top of the inside of the fuel tank. I don't see how it'd be unsafe locked in a closed fuel tank.

I disagree. It could be a million pounds hitting it. The door is on a hinge. If you left your front door open and wind blew in, what happens? The door just slams open and hits the door stopper, the door doesn't break off the door frame. Neodymium magnets are very strong and the tanks steel. The door will only weigh a few ounces or grams.

Fyi 1 1x1" n52 could hold almost all the fuel in the tank!

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psec457499.jpg

Just so there's no confusion!

Door bolted to hinge, magnet that can hold an *** load of weight bolted to hinge, magnet stuck to inside of gas tank because its steel.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps54935d8a.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...psff470b58.jpg

Ok step back a bit you are talking about a one way hinge right like the flapper only opens towards the passenger side? so when you turn leftt the fuel goes to the passenger side and when you turn right it is trapped there with the fuel pump? so when you turn right the weight of the fuel will be pushing against the flaper.

Cuz if the flapper swings both ways it's just going to let the fuel go back to the other side and the car will starve

and like i said the tank is semi magentic so the pul strength of the magnet could be only half of its actual strength.

Doesnt have to be a one way. The bottom of the door will hit the tank, it won't be able to close anymore and yes everything else you said is correct. When going straight the weight of the door will make it hang touching the tank and the fuel will help to close the door. Look at the first pic I drew. The door will hang resting on the tank. The magnets will be mounted more towards the center while the bottom of the door will be more towards the passenger side of the car letting gravity work for us since the tank tapers down from the center.

I think you're wrong. Its galvanized steel. I just used my very small tool/bolt pic up magnet on the out side of the tank. Even with the black coating it has an extremely strong pull to get it to break loose.

Isn't there a baffled tank you can buy?

I heard from a friend that there was a fix but it costs like $1400

You can buy blue prints for one.

Doesn't everyone want a $20 easy fix within 20 minutes!?? Jesus.

No need to snap bro, I was just saying I thought there was a baffled fuel tank you can buy.

Its pretty steep as well and unless you track your car all the time, it isn't worth it imo

i'm just trying to point out somethings to help you out man chill, when the fuel sloshes back against it is there anyting to keep it from pushing the hinge back across the top of the tank like a baffle you can rest it against or something so that when the fuel sloshes back it doesn't just push the baffle down? the less force the magnet needs to have the cheaper it is, it's going to have to be a neodymium though so the fuel doesn't melt it.

Lol I'm fine.

I don't think there would be anything to stop it. It is at an angle so it's not like fuel can hit it head on pushing with more force. I had 2 magnets planned but hell with 4 I don't think you'd get fuel to slide them very easy. What do you mean push it down? I don't think anything could break the connection but I could see with a weak magnet the door getting slide maybe to the drivers side when turning right.

exactly its on an angle so when you turn right as the fuel sloshes against it the angle will turn the sideways force of the fuel into downward force pulling against the magnets. if you could make it so the top had a positive stop you could make the magnets easier, so when you go to put it in the tank you don't have to fight it trying to get it into place. if you have a postive stop or to use your analogy a door jam, on the top and bottom then the magnets only have to hold the weight of the moving door and your idea is easier to work with.

I kinda see what you're saying but just don't think its enough. I don't think fuel will be that high on the tank to apply force. Like half way down you may have 5 gallons above pushing with 30lbs. But up top you may have 1 gallon with 6lbs of force. Two of these have over 60lbs of strength. I might do 4 for over 120lbs. There just to strong for a liquid force I think. 4 are $28. I'll just buy them now and play around.

Nice idea. Now next question. How wide is it? Because it would have to fit through a hole about 4.5" in diameter. It would be easier to go through the hole on the drivers side. Just unplug the sending unit on top and remove the sending unit. On the fuel pump side. You have fuel hoses that you have to unplug inside the tank. If you got big mitts. It's hard. Belieive me.

Hey whatever side works. You're going to need long arms though to stick it to the passenger side on the other side of the hump through coming from the drivers side. If one piece is to big I was thinking about 2 pieces maybe and just bolting it together in the tank.

the hole is 4.375"

Phunk needs to measure the tank now top to the top of saddle :happydance: