GAS CAP GASKET - Lost into Tank

jetlagjim

Junior Member
Went to fill up, removed the cap and the gasket had disintegrated. One-half fell into the tank! It's a black rubber-like material. Would it float?

Any suggestions (short of removing the tank) on how to get that sucker out of there?
 
Take the other half of the gasket you have drop it into some water to see if it floats. If it floats getting it out will be much simpler fishing it out with a wire with a couple prongs at the end of it. If you have a pencil filter in your tank and it sunk you most likely will never have much of a problem with it. Either way I wouldn't loose much sleep over it.
 
Doubt that it will float.

You may be able to reach it with a pick up stick if in view of the filler.

[FONT=&quot]Pick Up Tool[/FONT]
 

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Just use plenty of ethanol gasoline and it will fully dissolve. buy a leather gasket for your replacement. Carry enough tools to at least remove the gas line if it gets plugged up.
 
Yet another reason why the flame arrestor/strainers should be left in the tanks!
m5yoPuYkA5ec7Q4ze_iqKtg.jpg

That was my thought as well...I've got one installed, but never thought of it as a flame arrestor (although that is a nice benefit) - for me, it was a way to keep gunk/debris/particles from accidentally getting into the tank.
 
Yet another reason why the flame arrestor/strainers should be left in the tanks!
m5yoPuYkA5ec7Q4ze_iqKtg.jpg

Mike beat me to it, as I was going to say the same thing. Since you don't have it in place then try to grab the gasket parts with the mechanical fingers shown above. Also everyone should use the small standup filter in the tank valve. This will block the junk from entering the fuel line and valve, so even if you can't remove the old gasket it shouldn't pose a problem. If you use ethanol and that turns the rubber to some kind of goo that plugs the fine screen, then I could be wrong about the valve filter saving the day.:eek:
 
Yet another reason why the flame arrestor/strainers should be left in the tanks!
m5yoPuYkA5ec7Q4ze_iqKtg.jpg


Mikek, I have a couple of these but never installed them. The reason I did not install them was I "thought" (bad thing to do) that I would have a problem sticking the current type of gas station pump nozzles in the tank where you had to press them down to get them to work. So this is not a problem? They are deep enough so that the nozzle does not hit them?

Sorry about stealing the thread but thought I would ask.
 
Re: gas station fueling work around

Fred, others,
if you are worried about the gas station nozzle thing, go to Home Depot and buy a 1 1/2" PVC smooth to threaded reducer for 75 cents. Stick it in the tank when you add fuel and all is well.
I have used this for 20 years with no problems.
cheers
 
Thanks d. I forgot all about that idea. In fact a guy in our Model A club manufactures a unit like the plastic one you mentioned that if for this purpose. He sells them in most of the publications put out by the nationals.

Guess I need to get busy and install strainer because I won one of his units at a Model A club meeting a few years ago. (Now if I can find it!)
 
Doubt that it will float.

You may be able to reach it with a pick up stick if in view of the filler.

[FONT=&quot]Pick Up Tool[/FONT]

Hey Bill,
Just what I use. But....yikes....$12.48 :eek: !
I get mine at Harbor Freight for about 2 dollars !

NOTE: If IT doesn't float, run fuel low and/or drain fuel. Then flashlight and this claw tool...and go fishing :)
 
I never let the nozzle hang in the tank. I hold onto it so it isn't pressing against the flame arrester. I also keep the handle squeezed with my hand and not the ratchet lock. It does get a bit slow to fill once the fuel is near the top, but I can spare an extra minute or two.:)

If I needed speed, I'd be driving the Studebaker.:D
 
If you can't get the foreign piece into view, use a floor jack under rear differential and lift vehicle 3-4". Then slowly rock the car to move fuel in tank (1/4 level). Piece should come into view for retrieval with the pick-up tool. A video boreoscope can also help to locate. Good luck "fishing".....
 
Were you able to locate it by looking in?
Partially. About 1/4 of the gasket is still in there somewhere. I'm using a pickup tool like the one suggested by Dollar Bill.

Drained most of the gas. I back her UP the driveway, then stop several times to slosh the remaining fuel. Then have another look-see. I keep doing this until the fumes make me headachey.

I'll keep at it and report when all is found. Thanks everyone for the valuable ideas and suggestions.
 
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