Draining the fuel tank

[The Arch Bishop]

My fuel pump is currently in its death throws so I need to drop out the fuel tank. However, law of the sod decrees that I stuck 30 quids worth of unleaded in the day before.

I need to siphon it out before I remove the tank, but looking through amazon, most siphons are basically rubbish unless you want to spend a lot of money (which for a one-off job I don't).

I'm not a fan of gargling unleaded (I used to like the odd sip of four star though), so is there any way of draining without specialist tools or can anyone recommend a decent cheap siphon?

 

[YOG]

I could be wrong, but can't you disconnect the hose at the filter, switch on the ignition and pump most of it out?

 

[tuonokid]

Sounds like a plan, but you'll need lots of fuel cans
Barry

 

[The Arch Bishop]

Not sure Rick, as the pump keeps blowing fuses as soon as it gets warm. The flow rate would probably be glacial as well.

 

[The Arch Bishop]

Sounds like a plan, but you'll need lots of fuel cans
Barry

I can probably borrow a jerry can and I have a few smallish cans about. Strangely, I have no concept of how much these tanks hold!

 

[tuonokid]

My Fiesta 6s hold 9 gallons or apprx 45 litres so a full tank is about 50kg and £30 is probably about 20-25 litres which is 4-5 plastic petrol cannisters. With 2 trolley jacks and two people you could probably lower the tank out and then empty it through the filling hole into petrol cans but it will be much easier to syphon the majority out via the filler cap either by mouth or by a suction pump.
Beware the pump fuel connections, the red one is a total git to separate!
Barry

 

[YOG]

As a start, I could bring round my breeze blocks and jack, to make removing the tank easier:

Bumper, Rear Fastenings Centre

• YOG
• Aug 11, 2014

I have 2 x 10 litre Petrol Cans, one which I know is empty,the other I'll need to check today and let you know.

The sooner you get penetrating oil on the tank bolts, the better, and I would get a new gasket for the fuel pump seal.

 

[Wild E. Coyote]

I'm not a fan of gargling unleaded (I used to like the odd sip of four star though), so is there any way of draining without specialist tools or can anyone recommend a decent cheap siphon?

Instead of sucking through the hose, you can reverse the process. Take TWO hoses; the larger one put in and check that it is in fuel. Then add another one that doesn't need to be in fuel, but should be in tank or the filler neck. Take a rag or something similar, cover it in plastic bag and put in the filler neck trying to make a(s) good (as possible) seal.
Now just blow in the hose that is not in the fuel. You will need a good pair of lungs and probably few breaths. The idea is to pressurise the tank and its intake hose. That high pressure will push the fuel out through the other hose. Or, if you have a compressor, use it instead.
Thus no gargling unleaded (really awful experience, I agree) and you will be able to drain the fuel out. I used this technique on many ocassions including draining diesel as well (even worse than unleaded judging by the smell of it). The trick is to make a good seal at fuel filler neck area and to blow in strong and relatively short blows to create high pressure.
Hope it helps!

 

[red]

Have a look here, think it's mentioned above: http://www.projectpuma.com/viewtopic.php?p=315684#p315684" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[The Arch Bishop]

As a start, I could bring round my breeze blocks and jack, to make removing the tank easier:

Bumper, Rear Fastenings Centre

• YOG
• Aug 11, 2014

I have 2 x 10 litre Petrol Cans, one which I know is empty,the other I'll need to check today and let you know.

The sooner you get penetrating oil on the tank bolts, the better, and I would get a new gasket for the fuel pump seal.

Hi Rick,

I think I still have one of your jacks (and a torque wrench )!

I'll give you a shout when I have a replacement pump (Ian G's gone on holiday but is posting when he gets back).

Have a look here, think it's mentioned above: http://www.projectpuma.com/viewtopic.php?p=315684#p315684" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Worth giving the pump method a go then (providing it holds long enough to do it). Cheers for the link Red.

Thanks for all of the suggestions - looks like there's a method for every eventuality! :thumbs:

It's a pain that it's gone right now. It's due an MOT this week and was meant to go and live at my in-laws while we have an extension built to the house. Now it's stuck down the driveway and it's left me in a difficult position.

Timing eh? :lol:

 

[YOG]

I've got 2 x 10 litre Petrol Cans empty at the moment. Let me know when you are ready.

 

[Wild E. Coyote]

Wouldn't it be easier to just refill the fuel in your tank and when he repairs the car you buy him a tank of fuel? :?: