Fuel extraction pump

[trobinson017]

I need to drain all the fuel from my 63 gallon fuel tank due to tainted fuel.
I'm trying to find an electric pump I've seen some boat mechanics use.
I've done some Googling but I'm not finding anything like that, only manual
hand pumps. Does anyone here know where I could get one from an online
store?

TIA!

Tim

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

Stay away from the electric pump only because I find that gas fumes and the possibility of stray electricity dont go together well. You have other options:

1) Run a hose down the fuel fill and use a priming bulb to get the fuel flowing. Once it's flowing, it will continue.

2) Remove the fuel gauge sending unit and use a rigid hand pump to pull the fuel into a container.

3) Call a disposal company (most expensive) and they will come out an d remove the fuel for you.

Remember that although the fuel is no good for the boat, if it's still semi-good, the lawn mowers love that stuff.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

You can use an electric pump. In fact, there's an electric fuel pump working in the gas tank of most cars.

I don't recommend it though because they're expensive compared to the cheap syphoning hoses at your local car parts store.

The old gas can be taken to the city collection area for free or you can let it evaporate. Running the fuel through your lawn mower isn't adviseable unless you want to gum up your carburetor. You could get away with diluting it and running it through a non EFI engine but I don't recommend that either.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

Siphon it out.
Maybe your lucky and can disconnect the fuel line downstream of the tank and run the end thru the hull drain hole.
or
Plug the vent with a rag.
Remove fill cap and insert siphon hose and another hose about two feet long half way into the fill opening. Then pack rags into fill opening around the two hoses.
Then blow into the short hose. That will pressurize the tank and force fuel to come out the siphon hose even if it does not want to siphon.

One time a adapted an aquarium areator pump to the short hose to do the blowing over a longer period of time that I wanted to be doing it with my lungs.
But doont do it with a regular air compressor.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

The safest way (other than paying a fuel disposal company to to it) is to siphon it out through the fuel gauge sender hole into approved containers.

I did this once. My neighbor took the fuel for his lawn tractors (he is in the landscaping business). I put some in a new lawnmower and it gummed it up. The shop wouldn't honor the warranty (Toro) and I had to pay for the repairs.

Your city or county can tell you where and how to dispose of old fuel.

 

[TJS]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

I use a holley fuel pump.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

I just unhooked the fuel line from the motor and stuck the hose thru one of the scupper holes in the motor well. Used the primer bulb to get it going. You can move a lot of fuel thru a 3/8" fuel line.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

If it's for a one time deal, the pumps I have seen are pretty pricey but if its something you'll use for multiple things it can be worth it. Tractor Supply sells pumps for auxiliary fuel tanks that I'm sure would work pretty well. Just go to the home page and put in fuel pump in the search box and they'll come up.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/

 

[rwidman]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

If you decide to buy or use any kind of pump, make sure it is rated for gasoline. Many fluid pumps are not. There could be a spark and .............

 

[Stachi]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

I used an automotive fuel pump. It is the type we used on carbureted engines back in the 70's and 80's. I bought a new one from PeP Boys for $45. They were made to pump gasoline. Mount it to a board so it can sit on the ground, run 20' of tubing from fuel pick up port on fuel tank to the pump , clamps on tobes at each end. , run another 20' from the fule pump to your containers, I also ran a good ten feet of wires from the pump to a battery ,no need for a switch, the only sparking is 10' away from the pump and tubes. Gasoline is just like electricty...don't fear it, respect it.

 

[KC4YIN]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

I had almost the same amount of fuel to deal with. I went to Auto Zone and bought a "Universal" fuel pump. Around $ 50.00. Pulled the line loose where it goes to the fuel water/ filter and pumped it into 5 gal. containers and then poured it into the truck, lawnmower or whatever. Be sure to specify the larger flow rate pump.

 

[macsfriended]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

A manual siphon pump from an auto parts store works great for me.

I merely blend approx 1/4 old boat to 3/4 good car gas and add marine Stabil to the tank and have never had a problem.

I would add that the blended fuel should go into a high use vehicle, Not one that will sit around and get little usage.

 

[LAC_STS]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

I just had to pump 30 gallons out of my Donzi and into 6 5 gallon buckets.

I used a hand pump and it took me about 20-30 mins.


Even if you wash the pump out though it will be trashed and not able to pump anything when you are done. They are only $10 or so though.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

I agree, for the OP's stated need, I would use a manual fuel siphon pump. About $20 at a variety of stores.

It took me about 10 minutes of pumping to drain 10 gallons from a tractor tank, so I don't think it would be that hard or take that long to pump 63 gallons off of a boat. The biggest barrier is probably going to be finding a suitable tank to put that much fuel in, but you may have already coverd that angle.

Electric fuel transfer pumps are very expensive and for a one time need they would be very cost prohibitive. I'm not an expert,but my understanding is that an electric fuel pump needs to be carefully grounded/isolated/whatever to avoid any chance of sparks or static buildup igniting either fuel or vapor.

As a matter of both safety and cost, I'd go low-tech / old school and just pump it out by hand or get a pro in to do the job for you. Either way, it'll be done in an hour and it'll be done safely.

Grouse

 

[Stachi]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

The one I bought cost me $45.00..and is designed to be bolted onto a firewall or inner fender...it has one wire for ground , and one for B+. Once you have one , you will use it more than you might think.....

 

[Beefer]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

If you haven't done this yet, AutoZone (and probably Advanced) has a manual siphon pump for $12. Took me about an hour to pump out 50 gals a few weeks ago.

As for what to put all that fuel in, go to the Pinellas Co. solid waste on 28th Ave N (just south of 118th), and they will let you borrow as many 5 gal cans as you need. And they'll take your crap fuel from you at no charge.

 

[nash1970]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

I just built this, the pump is a Procomp from Ebay rated at 140 GPH it's a crude set up but it works great .

 

[Outsider]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

Had to empty a leaking tank for replacement, so I bought a fuel pump from a junk yard for $10. Drained all that fuel without blowing up, and have emptied the tank at the end of the season for 3 additional years now. I know it's fuel and electrics, but it ain't rocket science to meld the two safely ...

 

[Stachi]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

Had to empty a leaking tank for replacement, so I bought a fuel pump from a junk yard for $10. Drained all that fuel without blowing up, and have emptied the tank at the end of the season for 3 additional years now. I know it's fuel and electrics, but it ain't rocket science to meld the two safely ...

I hear ya brother....heck , it is what they were designed for....4 psi pressure limit and they shut off...

 

[Stachi]

Re: Fuel extraction pump

I just built this, the pump is a Procomp from Ebay rated at 140 GPH it's a crude set up but it works great .

nice job....and I bet you will use it more than once now that you have it...I bet it will drain a crankcase with the right tubing....