In tank fuel pickup question?

[MTNMAN800]

I have a 2001 500 RMK ( liquid cooled 500 domestic engine ) that ran out of gas yesterday with 5 to 6 gallons still in the tank. We were riding down the trail without any problems and the sled died. After I removed the air box, I noticed there was no fuel in the line. I removed the fuel line from the fuel pump and tried to suck some fuel through the line but all I got was air??? We towed the sled down the trail a few miles to a gas station, filled it up, pulled a few times to get the gas going, and it ran great again. Rode it 30 miles back to the truck with no problems at all.

To me this means that something happened inside the tank where the fuel pickup is. I have never had / heard of such a thing. Does anybody have experience with this type of problem or any suggestions that I can try to fix this?

Thanks in advance for any help you can lend.

 

[lognomore]

Inside fuel line

The fuel line inside the tank either fell off the fitting inside the tank or just disintegrated. I had that happen on a 2000 RMK. You will need to get to the fitting on the front of the tank and take it out. Remove the fitting with the grommet from the tank and there should be a fuel line attached to it going into the tank with a filter on end of the line. If the line is not there it is laying on the bottom of the tank. You will need a good quality hose to put in there if the other one is bad. It is easier to do if you take the tank off.

 

[SD Coyote]

It sounds like your pickup line fell off/ broke off, and is laying in the bottom of the tank. They usually exit out the front of the tank, about half way up. When you filled the tank, the fuel pump started drawing from the exit hole. It will prob run out of fuel again, when you get below half. With the right lighting, and a dental type mirror, you should be able to see what I mean.