Best way to drain a gas tank?

[scipper77]

Re: Best way to drain a gas tank?

Bow up a little. Siphon hose on rear corner of tank. The water lives on the bottom of so if you are siphoning off the bottom the water comes out first. There wasn't really any sediment in the tank but my fuel was dark and stale. The stale gas that I couldn't get out was mixed with high octane fresh gas and I have been through that tank already.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Best way to drain a gas tank?

Eh, true. I'm gonna try to empty/pull it today. Will post pics/updates. Thanks everyone

 

[zopperman]

Re: Best way to drain a gas tank?

Pulled the tank! Took the shop crane and a lot of foam cutting. Drained out everything and Pressure testing it tomorrow!

 

[zopperman]

Re: Best way to drain a gas tank?

PS -- used a siphone/primer bulb... got out about 10 gallons by hand then the rest came out when I turned it upside down.
You can see it stuck to the crane!
USed some old steel cable and tied it through the flanges on the side of the tank.

 

[TD_Maker]

Re: Best way to drain a gas tank?

Here is a copy of an earlier posting I made on the forum several years ago. Worked great.

I recently drained 25 gallons from my tanks. here is what I did:Went to local auto parts store and purchased the cheapest electric fuel pump they had ($19.99) The pump has a 3/8 inch inlet and outlet. Hooked the inlet to the outboard's fuel line coming from the fuel tank, and hooked a 4' piece of hose to the outlet side of fuel pump. I installed alligator clips to the electrical wiring and hooked it up to a battery. Drained 25 gallons safely and quickly; plus, I can use it over and over if needed. Sure beats worrying about fire or explosion.Then I used the old gas in my Dodge truck. It did not even burp!

 

[lyman boater]

Re: Best way to drain a gas tank?

I bring this old gas to the service station up the road. He takes if at no cost

 

[zopperman]

Re: Best way to drain a gas tank?

Wish I had that option

 

[Quad82]

Re: Best way to drain a gas tank?

I realize you already have it covered. But for others, here is what I do every winter before storing my boat. Pull the line off the motor and put it in a gas can. Open the fill cover and insert my air compressor line with a hand held blow nozzle. Pressurize the tank enough to push the gas out into the can. The compressor is in the barn 100 feet away from the boat, which is outside in the driveway. When the can gets close to full, you can let up on the blower nozzle and the flow stops. No spilled gas, running motors (close by), sparks or static to worry about. I fill the farm tractor which always seems to be empty. The rest I store in gas cans and use over the winter mixing with fresh gas in the snowblower ect...

 

[zopperman]

Re: Best way to drain a gas tank?

Good idea, wanted to try something similar but i only have a 12 v compresor

 

[scipper77]

Re: Best way to drain a gas tank?

Good idea, wanted to try something similar but i only have a 12 v compresor

You mean the kind that plugs in to the outlet in your car?? Those motors spark way too muck. I would try it with my 6 Gallon portable. I'd charge it up, unplug it use it at the boat.

I would think you could use the compressor to get a siphon started as another option. I'm filing this all away because I plan on boating for another 30 plus years. I'm sure I'll have to drain another tank in that time.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Best way to drain a gas tank?

Yeah it my emergency tire compressor... I don't have a real one. I wouldn't put this one anywhere near gasoline. Plain and simple, it's crap. I'd rather use a bike pump