Topic: Fuel tank reserve question

[Sandman]

Hey everyone,
I just dropped the fuel tank on my 91 yj to work on the sending unit and found the plastic fuel reserve cup floating around like a peice of crap in a swimming pool!  I was wondering if anyone has taken this cup out of the tank and left it out.  If I took this cup out, do you think there would be any problems later on?  Thanks for any information you can give me on this issue.

[Jeffy]

Have any pictures?  The only thing I can think of is that you could run out of gas when on a hill if you run it that low.

[Sandman]

Jeffy, this is not my tank but it is out of a YJ http://www.neow.org/images/yjgas/gas_tank_1.gif
We are looking at the deformed rectangular cup inside the gas tank which is riveted to the bottom of the tank.  On my tank, the cup broke free of the rivets and is floating around.  I was originally thinking of re-riveting, but am afraid of having a leak later on.

[FourbangerYJ]

I don't think I would re-rivit it. When if comes to the gas tank don't take any chances.

Like Jeffy said, the biggest problem would be stalling during a climb or off camber if you are already low on fuel.

A 15-20 convertion would give you more gas to minimize running low while your out wheeling. Since you already have the tank out it's a snap. Look in the FAQ section.

[Jeffy]

Now, that I think about it some more, I think it was a dumb idea.  If the cup is solid then when the fuel level gets lower then the cup, you'll still have fuel but the cup could be empty.  I'm sure the gauge will have already been past E at that point though.  They should have made the bowl molded into the tank at the bottom so any/all fuel will eventually collect there. I think this is what they did with the TJ tank.

I think I'd just leave it out since fixing it could lead to more trouble.  Just be away not to run the tank too low while offload.

[Sandman]

Jeffy and Fourbanger,
Thanks for the replies and excellent insight.  I definately will do the 20 gal. conversion as a deterrant to stalling during climbing and other unusual grades.  And don't worry, the re-rivet idea was a last resort (like if you guys suggested to put it back in  )  Jeffy, yes they should have made that reserve cup an integral part of the tank instead of some afterthought.  Thanks again for your thoughts.

[Bounty Hunter]

I think that's more of a baffle than a reserve cup.

[Jeffy]

I think that's more of a baffle than a reserve cup.

If it was a baffle it should have holes though it though.  It's also a bit small.