RR SS II why can't I blow up the flow fuel pipe to tank ???

[Fixanything]

So trying to get engine started after a bit of a lay-up.......so here's what I have found so far:

I wanted to to flush fuel lines through & empty old fuel, so disconnected at the Solex carb and run extended fuel lines in to a jerry can and tried connecting 12v directly to the PIERBURG fuel pump, the pump sounded like it was running but no fuel (30ltrs in tank) coming through at carb end !

So in order to achieve something I drained the tank of old fuel with a syphon, fuel look clear/clean will probably get used in the lawn mower.

I was about to remove the pump to check function and thought I'd check the flow line back to the tank was clear/unobstructed so first tried to blow air back to the fuel tank no go it was blocked, tried vacuum the same !

Difficult to tell from workshop manuals however, I don't think the section of fuel flow pipe from the tank to the fuel pump has anything that could completely block it e.g. Check valve, non return valve, isolating valve......,or has it ???

Any thoughts much appreciated.

[Easternlight]

Could there be a fuel filter in line some where? Petrol would get through but I don't think you would be able to blow through it.

[sunbeam alpine]

Wouldn't there be some kind of non-return valve in the line to prevent fuel draining back to the tank when the car is parked?

Have you considered trying to apply pressure to the tank itself? I do this by wrapping a rag around an air gun from the compressor to form a seal on the tank filler, but in fairness I've only ever done this on old diesel agricultural machinery as it's easier than bleeding the system.

[Fixanything]

The main fuel filter is after the pump as is the check valve... I must be missing something !

There maybe a in tank filter but I doubt very much if one did exist that it would block complete enough to stop either positive or negative air pressure.

[jeyjey]

I've seen brake hoses rot so that the insides puff up and close. Don't know if the chemistry with petrol is similar enough to cause the same or not....

(I don't think there's a filter in the tank. The only ones I'm aware of are the big one under the driver's seat and a small one attached to each carb.)

[Fixanything]

Think could be something like that or one of the bends on one of the rubber sections could have collapsed. Will find out tomorrow as I will be romoving the offending fuel line.

Thanks

[Fixanything]

Reason for fuel not passing through fuel lines:

Each section of rubber hose in the fuel line has internally turned to black goo ! I guess this is a product of the fuel/Ethanol sitting in the fuel lines for a while. I will clearly need to check the rest of the the rubber sections, I have ordered from AFS replacement Bio Fuel hose supposed to be impervious to Ethanol etc.......