how to siphon gas?

[jackrabbit66]

I want to be able to siphon gas from the 56 gallon boat tank for emergency use or when I need fuel for a car / yard equipment in a pinch. I currently have a bulb type hand pump that's not doing the trick. Its plenty long enough and uses 1/2" diameter tubing but it doesn't work on my boat. Does anyone have a CHEAP (under $20) alternative to this type of siphon or any advice?


Thanks!

 

[UncleWillie]

Why doesn't it work?
Are you siphoning from the Fill Opening, or from the Fuel Draw fitting on the tank?
What Model/Year is the boat? Current Models have anti-splash valves in the fill hose.

 

[smokeonthewater]

if the siphon isn't working it's because you aren't getting the hose into the fuel or it is defective.... the TYPE of siphon isn't your problem

 

[UncleWillie]

Why doesn't it work?
Are you siphoning from the Fill Opening, or from the Fuel Draw fitting on the tank?
What Model/Year is the boat? Current Models have anti-SpitBack valves in the fill hose.

 

[achris]

I want to be able to siphon gas from the 56 gallon boat tank for emergency use or when I need fuel for a car / yard equipment in a pinch. I currently have a bulb type hand pump that's not doing the trick. Its plenty long enough and uses 1/2" diameter tubing but it doesn't work on my boat. Does anyone have a CHEAP (under $20) alternative to this type of siphon or any advice?


Thanks!

Syphoning is best down under the cover of darkness. I find a night with a lot of wind also helps cover any noise. Avoid places with dogs!

3 suggestions to help you...
1) make sure you have the bulb facing the right way (obvious I know, but you'd be amazed how many people miss that one :facepalm.
2) Bulbs prime best when they are pointed up. The valves don't work facing down, so you can't prime the syphon. Once you have the fuel flowing you can turn the bulb to face down.
3) Make sure the end of the tube is LOWER than the level of the fuel in the tank. And the lower you get it, the faster the fuel will flow....

Chris......

 

[jackrabbit66]

Thanks for the suggestions so far friends. To answer you're questions: I am attempting to siphon from the "fill Opening". The boat is a 1997 19' Seasport -fish & ski. I'm thinking it might have a "anti-splash back valve" because the tubing stops abruptly when inserted. Is there any way around this?

What if I added a T coupler with a valve in front of the water separator? That way I could simply attach a bit of tubing and open the valve to siphon fuel directly from the engine fuel line. Would this be a safety or code violation?

 

[achris]

....What if I added a T with a valve in front of the water separator? That way I could simply attach a bit of tubing and open the valve to siphon fuel. Would this be a safety or code violation?

As long as the end was plugged, no. But don't leave an open tube. Even if you have a valve, you still need to 'stop' the end of the pipe.

 

[gm280]

I found out that you can't syphon uphill. If what you are trying to fill is higher then the supply, all you can do is keep squeezing the fuel bulb to fill It up. If you want the fuel to flow by itself, you have to have the container lower then the supply...

 

[pckeen]

Misspent youth Chris?

 

[achris]

Misspent youth Chris?

 

[UncleWillie]

Thanks for the suggestions so far friends. To answer you're questions: I am attempting to siphon from the "fill Opening". The boat is a 1997 19' Seasport -fish & ski. I'm thinking it might have a "anti-splash back valve" because the tubing stops abruptly when inserted. Is there any way around this?
What if I added a T coupler with a valve in front of the water separator? That way I could simply attach a bit of tubing and open the valve to siphon fuel directly from the engine fuel line. Would this be a safety or code violation?

The anti-splashback valves started in 2009 in California and 2011 elswhere.

Your Water seperator likely has 4 ports, 2 IN and 2 OUT. With only one of each being used.
You can add a ball valve and a barbed fitting to one of the unused ports to get access to the fuel flow.
Your tank has an Anti-Siphon valve in the fuel line. It will open with more than 20-25 inches of siphon pressure.
Runing your siphon hose out the Bildge Plug hole to a container on the ground, should allow you to get enough pressure to keep the flow going.