It fell in the tank……

[txdon]

I was using a 1 foot piece of tubing, snuggly connected to the diesel can spout, to refill the tank and the tubing fell in the tank, #@&%%$. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif It sunk. BBQ tongs could not retrieve it. Any suggestions on getting it out?

I’m getting a funnel.
TxDon

 

[Bird]

Any auto parts store, or tool store, should have a long, thin, flexible tool on which you push the knob on one end and three prongs extend out the other end, slip over what you want to pick up, release the knob and it clamps onto it. Poor description maybe, but I can't remember what they call it to find a picture on the Internet and it's too cold to go out to storage shed, get mine, and make a picture right now. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[RoyJackson]

You didn't mention what material the tube was made from. If steel or another ferrous material, use a magnetic finger. If aluminum or plastic, head down to your local NAPA, Autozone (maybe) or equivalent, and get a flexible grapple tool. This one is a spring loaded flexible tube with a thumb or finger held plunger (to hold the grapple fingers open). The magnetic finger is just a magnet attached to a rigid (telescoping for length) or flexible handle.
Both these tools are fairly inexpensive additions to your tool chest. Both are great for retrieving those screws, nuts and whatever that we all drop now and then.
Just be glad of one thing... The filler opening is pretty big, comparatively speaking. Once you get that tube in sight, you can probably use your fingers to pull it out.

If that tube is plastic or rubber, I suggest you use a hose clamp to hold it on the spout next time.

 

[DougM]

Cold in Texas u have to be kidding....

Come north young man

Come north young man or was that go west ??

any Ways cold and lots of snow in Ohio

DougM

 

[jinman]

Re: It fell in the tank……

Don, is there any chance that the tubing is metal? Magnetic? If so, you could use a magnetic probe to "go fish" for the tubing. If it is plastic, you might be able to slip the same tool into the end of the tube and drag it directly under the filler opening where you can use two long screwdrivers like chopsticks to lift the tube. Having someone else help at this point could also be helpful. I always end up needing three hands to do a job like this. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[jinman]

Re: It fell in the tank……

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( and it's too cold to go out to storage shed, get mine, and make a picture right now )</font>

It was 24.8 degrees in Sunset this morning, and the frost looks like a snow storm. Now all those truly hardy folks in the frozen north are probably going to give me "grief" about saying it's cold, but I can take it. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif After all, it will be 60º by this afternoon. Ain't Texas grand? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bird]

Re: It fell in the tank&#8230;&#8230;

Yep, Jim, I guess this is our first really heavy frost this morning; almost looks like it snowed out there. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[txdon]

The tubing was 1” OD vinyl tubing. Do those grab cables come in about a two foot length. The tank looks like it is about 10” deeper on one side? Is there anything in the tank that I could grab that would mess up the fuel gauge reading?
Thanks. TxDon (Texas the year round tractoring state. If ((and that’s a big if)) it snows it will melt by noon.)

 

[Bird]

I found a picture of what Roy and I were talking about here. Of course you can buy them locally cheaper. Matco calls it a "flexible 22" spring claw", part number FD622.

 

[JDgreen227]

Re: It fell in the tank&#8230;&#8230;

Sears sells both the magnetic pick up tool and the spring loaded grapple type, which is also termed a pick up tool, or perhaps a length of 12-14 gauge electrical wire could be used to fish around for the tubing. Hopefully there is not much fuel in the tank.