Ron V
05-20-2001, 10:44 AM
This morning I was filling my VRO tank. Had to use a pliers to get the cap loose and accidentally broke off the little plastic cap that covers the vent in the center of it. My dad was there, and while I was holding it in my hand with some dismay, I opened the gas tank cap and was (while we were on the subject of vents) talking about the in-cap vent in the gas tank. Lo and behold the little plastic piece in my hand popped out of my hand and fell right in the gas tank. Perfect shot. We stood out in the driveway for some time with a sheet over our heads and a light looking in the tank and probing around. Could see it but our mechanical finger couldn't grab it. Finally got pushed out of sight from poking around too much. It is in there for life, end of story. The GOOD news: There is a baffle between the filler hole and the fuel pickup. We probed with a coat hanger and the opening at the bottom of the baffle does not seem big enough for this cap to pass through.
BUT, my question, just in case it could pass through, is how are the pickups constructed on the built-in tanks? I have never had one out. It seems to me I have seen drawings or pictures that indicate that they have a screen protruding outward from the end, as opposed to just a screen across the opening. If that is the case then I am okay because even if this little cap were to clap itself over the screen it woudl still be able to draw plenty of fuel. My main concern is if the tank DOESN'T have a screen on the pickup or just has a screen across the opening--because of that plastic cap's shape it might (one in a million chance but those are my lucky odds) fall over the pickup and starve the motor.
Anyone know for sure what the screen arrangement is like on the pickups? I'm sure I am worrying about nothing but if someone could get me an answer int he next hour or so I'd really appreciate it because I have a day planned on the water with my dad and we are heading out after lunch.
Thanks.
BUT, my question, just in case it could pass through, is how are the pickups constructed on the built-in tanks? I have never had one out. It seems to me I have seen drawings or pictures that indicate that they have a screen protruding outward from the end, as opposed to just a screen across the opening. If that is the case then I am okay because even if this little cap were to clap itself over the screen it woudl still be able to draw plenty of fuel. My main concern is if the tank DOESN'T have a screen on the pickup or just has a screen across the opening--because of that plastic cap's shape it might (one in a million chance but those are my lucky odds) fall over the pickup and starve the motor.
Anyone know for sure what the screen arrangement is like on the pickups? I'm sure I am worrying about nothing but if someone could get me an answer int he next hour or so I'd really appreciate it because I have a day planned on the water with my dad and we are heading out after lunch.
Thanks.