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Tips

gasoline siphon?

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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
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I've got three gallons of gas in the tank. I want to replace the drain plug.

I do *not* want to remove the drain plug and have gas drain all over the place. :eeek:

How can I siphon up the gas from the tank? All the hand pumps I've found don't have the ooomph to pull the gas up high enough - about 20 inches from the bottom of the tank to the top.

And I've heard lots of warnings about using an electric pump (drill, battery, or mains) to do this.

Any suggestions? Just toss in a match?

Thanks.
Tom
 
Ya got lips? And a hose? :jester:
 
If you do go that route (what we used to call a "Kentucky Credit Card" when I was a kid), be careful not to swallow or breathe too much of the fumes. In the words of George Carlin, "That [censored]'s bad for you."

My preferred approach is to use my spare Facet electric fuel pump. If it won't pull the fuel up through the filler (mine always has, if given a few seconds), you could attach it to the fuel outlet near the stock fuel pump instead.
 
Fill the 1/4" or 3/8" clear siphon tube with fuel, put your thumb over the opening at one end, lower the other end into the tank, hold the end in your hand below the tank level, release your thumb, presto!
 
elrey said:
Fill the 1/4" or 3/8" clear siphon tube with fuel, put your thumb over the opening at one end, lower the other end into the tank, hold the end in your hand below the tank level, release your thumb, presto!
Click to expand...

That is BRILLIANT! I knew about the "lower the entire tube into the tank" technique, but never thought about that "fill the tube and cap one end with your thumb" method. I'll fill a shallow pan with gas, immerse the tube, then follow your steps.

Trying it tomorrow. Thank you sir.

(If I don't post tomorrow, check for a column of smoke in southern New England ...)

Tom
 
NutmegCT said:
...

I do *not* want to remove the drain plug and have gas drain all over the place. ...
Thanks.
Tom
Click to expand...
What's a little gasolean amungst friends?

Careful with that stuff Tom.
It's not good for your health
 
using an electric pump is fine. Just make sure it's an actual "fuel pump" (Not a water pump) and make sure it is properly grounded. also make your electrical connection points away from the gasoline.
We used to have a universal type fuel pump bolted to the edge of a metal 20 gallon drum with 20 foot electrical leads on it to hook to a battery. Worked like a charm and never caused a fire.
It's probably safer than spilling gas all over the place with a clumsy siphon setup. not to mention you won't wind up covered in gas.
 
Tom?!?

:devilgrin:
 
DrEntropy said:
Tom?!?

:devilgrin:
Click to expand...

Sorry reply <hack gasp> took so <ghrrrrrghagh> long. Needed both lungs <cramphagh> replaced and now everything tastes like <hrrrrrrrackph> gas for some reason.

:jester:

I used a 12v in line fuel pump, tube down into the tank, other end into gas can; emptied the tank, replaced the drain plug, refilled the tank, and all is well.

(Just don't light any matches around me if I sneeze or fart ...)

T.
 
I'm happy to hear that you survived. A pump is the preferred way to go, but now you also know how to do it in the field without using your face. Many a time we'd slowly lower enough tube into the tank to be able to cap the end and pull enough full tube from the tank to start the siphon.
 
Another method I have used many times in the past is this. Insert the hose and stuff rags around it trying to seal the filler opening. Then blow into the hose as hard as you can. Most times the pressure in the tank will expel enough gas to start the siphon.
 
Bayless said:
Another method I have used many times in the past is this. Insert the hose and stuff rags around it trying to seal the filler opening. Then blow into the hose as hard as you can. Most times the pressure in the tank will expel enough gas to start the siphon.
Click to expand...
Just move your face quick!!!! :jester:
 
Seems like you might want to use two hoses, one down into the fuel for the siphon and one just past the opening to pressurize the tank. Gasoline just don't taste as good as it used to.
 
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