Old fuel pump out and disposal

[Joker757]

I have about 35gals of 3 year fuel in my tank. I'm in South FL (West Palm Beach area). Anyone know if there's a service that will come pump it out or a place I can take the boat to get this done? Also would like to get the tank cleaned. Taking the tank out isn't an option as it would require taking up the floor in the salon.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

oil spill recovery companies will take care of it, and some may do clean-out, too, or know who does. Someone does it for the insurance companies when a boat sinks.

 

[waterboy222]

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

Call your local fuel distributor. They should have a fuel/water seperator in their containment bays. The ones up here let us dispose of old gas by pouring it into their berms.. They have big socks that absorb the old gas and then are taken to the landfill a few times a year.

Or put it on craigslist. Fuel can be polished up 95% of the time. If its more than a few gallons, your phone will be ringing off the hook shortly.

 

[Tahorover]

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

I took sixty gallons of bad gas to my county household hazardous waste drop off site. It was free!

 

[cr2k]

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

Lawnmower gas for life!

 

[Joker757]

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

how would I get it out? I'm sure it's a special sealed pump to eliminate sparks. That would be about 7 5gal containers. Anyone know if it's possible to get a uese 55gal drum somewhere?

 

[Tahorover]

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

I used an electric fuel pump, and I put it in 5 gallon containers. I can't see moving a +400lb 55 gallon drum up my steep gangplank and into the back of a pick-up.

I used the same containers to bring home 50 gals of fresh gas to get the boat running.

 

[Joker757]

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

I used an electric fuel pump, and I put it in 5 gallon containers. I can't see moving a +400lb 55 gallon drum up my steep gangplank and into the back of a pick-up.

I used the same containers to bring home 50 gals of fresh gas to get the boat running.

Most of the electric transfer pumps I've found specify they are for diesel. Given that regular gas has a lower flash point not sure if it's compatible. What about those hand crank transfer pumps? I see those new for about $50. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

you can get barrels from food importers, but I don't think you want to go that route.

You have 2 major tasks: getting it out, and disposing of it.

I would not let strangers come remove it (free gas on craigslist) in your situation, but if you move it to the barrel, I'd let someone take it. Or move it to 7 5 gallon jugs, and then let people take it--if they leave you an empty jug.

 

[Tahorover]

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

The pump is a standard old Carter pump bought from Jegs ten years ago. It has been in service in my Arabian.

We pumped both tanks dry and put 50 gallons of fresh gas into one tank. We then pumped the 50 gallons into the other tank with a trip through a filter. We pumped the 50 gallons back and forth for days! It takes about 35 minutes to move the 50 gallons. The first filter went blind in two days and the second was fine for the rest of the cleaning. The boat is a 30' Carver Express with two 80 gallon tanks. The fuel we removed was five years old and had a bit of water in it.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Carter/180/P4389/10002/-1

 

[Joker757]

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

you can get barrels from food importers, but I don't think you want to go that route.

You have 2 major tasks: getting it out, and disposing of it.

I would not let strangers come remove it (free gas on craigslist) in your situation, but if you move it to the barrel, I'd let someone take it. Or move it to 7 5 gallon jugs, and then let people take it--if they leave you an empty jug.

Lots of good suggestions. I think any of these options are great for disposing it. Like you said...my main dilema right now is getting it out of the tank. Need to find a pump suitable to the task.

 

[Joker757]

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

The pump is a standard old Carter pump bought from Jegs ten years ago. It has been in service in my Arabian.

We pumped both tanks dry and put 50 gallons of fresh gas into one tank. We then pumped the 50 gallons into the other tank with a trip through a filter. We pumped the 50 gallons back and forth for days! It takes about 35 minutes to move the 50 gallons. The first filter went blind in two days and the second was fine for the rest of the cleaning. The boat is a 30' Carver Express with two 80 gallon tanks. The fuel we removed was five years old and had a bit of water in it.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Carter/180/P4389/10002/-1

I see. So can I use a standard dc automotive pump? How did you power it? just hooked up to a battery? Also if I'm not going to reuse the fuel can I skip the filter?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

http://usafuelservice.com/

here is a commercial fuel remover and treater. I recall the prices weren't bad, especially if you have valuable time, and have to buy the various pumps, hoses, containers, etc. and pay to dispose of it.

 

[Tahorover]

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

We used the fresh gas/filter to clean out the tank. I would rather have my transfer pump/filter go blind than one of my engines filters while underway!

 

[Joker757]

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

http://usafuelservice.com/

here is a commercial fuel remover and treater. I recall the prices weren't bad, especially if you have valuable time, and have to buy the various pumps, hoses, containers, etc. and pay to dispose of it.

HC. This is the route I'll go. Thanks for passing this along!!! Spoke with the owner (Tim). For $380 they'll clean the tank and he said that they can save about 90% of the fuel. Fast turnaround too. He said he could have done it this weekend. I'm not ready for him just yet but will be calling on him in a few weeks.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

You can use a hand pump but it would depend on how you can access the tank and how enclosed the area is, hand pumps make more fumes. What I have done is pick up a 12 volt sealed electric fuel pump made to go on a car or truck. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Electric-Fuel-Pumps-Universal-Mr--Gasket_5400317-P_N3339K_P%7CGRP2030P_____You should be able to find one at any auto parts place. And hook it into the existing fuel line as close to the tank as you can lift is limited and you may need a primer bulb to start it off and pump it into 5 gal cans. 55 gallon drums are heavy and hard to handle unless you have a drum dolly or a fork lift handy. Yes it will take awhile but it will empty the tank in a safe manner and should be done in the open air with a bit of a breeze or some sort of ventilation, be very aware of gas fumes and any ignition source, like a electrical spark or open flames and have good ventilation. I would run the discharge end of the hose out to a open area and put in a electrical switch to turn the pump on and off. The switch will make a spark when it is turned on and off so it also needs to be in area that has no fumes this all sounds a lot more complicated than it is. If its above deck then a simple box fan will keep the fumes away. If its below deck then you can buy enough cheep rubber fuel inline at the same time you get a pump, fittings, clamps, switch and wire you may also need a primer bulb to help the pump pick up the fuel due to lift and move the hose discharge end and switch above deck. I would also sit the cans in a small tub of some sort to catch any spillage and their will be some and you do not want it on the deck or in the carpet. I use this method to drain my dock mates tank earlier this year after he bought a boat that had been sitting for 4 years and he was having carb problems and couldn't figure out why. While the fuel may be bad it is still very flammable, and of course keep a fire extinguisher at hand. I think that should cover it and I am sure if I missed any thing the others will chime in.

 

[YankeeDave]

Re: Old fuel pump out and disposal

Ive been using old boat gas in my lawn tractors for years and never had a problem.