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jkirby4's Avatar
 
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best way to drain gas tank ?

i need to drain the gas tank on my '74 911. is there a "best" or recommended method.

thanks in advance

jim

Old 04-27-2009, 10:16 AM
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there is a drain plug underneath but like oil, that can get a bit messy. If you have a fluid extractor I'd use it...if not try to siphon what you can first then pull the plug.
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Old 04-27-2009, 10:22 AM
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I clamp the hose from the FT (fuel tank) to the FP (fuel pump) and then find more fuel line hose. I then find a way to connect the two hoses (the hose to the tank to the extention hose) by using a male/male fitting making sure I have the extension hose clamped before I unclamp the FT side of the hose. I then let it drain into gas can and dispose of properly. I HATE messing with gas and was working with the FP so much I decided to make this my new policy . . .
Old 04-27-2009, 11:06 AM
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+1 Rick911s method. Works like a charm.
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Old 04-27-2009, 01:09 PM
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As far as disposing, I placed an ad on craigslist for "free gas" it was gone in 30min. I didn't have a use or storage for 12 gallons of 4 yr old gas.
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Old 04-27-2009, 02:20 PM
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Just curious. How much gas is in there and why do you need to drain your tank?
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Old 04-27-2009, 02:25 PM
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it's old gas

the car has been sitting for about 7 years. i wanted to get rid of the old gas before i drop the tank and check it out. i just thought it was a good idea to drain the tank.
Old 04-27-2009, 02:34 PM
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Yup - good idea. Thanks and good luck.
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Old 04-27-2009, 02:57 PM
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Just disconnect a fuel line at the carb, clamp 5-6' of tubing to the connection or the incoming hose, whichever is easiest, and use the fuel pump to fill a gas can. Empty this into your other car.
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Old 10-09-2010, 01:42 PM
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the drain plug is on the bottom so you can get more particles out that way
Old 10-09-2010, 01:57 PM
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The plug on the gas tank can be removed by using a spark plug socket with a extension inserted inside the socket and use the opposite end of the socket into the gas tank plug.
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Old 10-09-2010, 02:04 PM
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Draining fuel tank.......

Quote:
Originally Posted by jkirby4 View Post
i need to drain the gas tank on my '74 911. is there a "best" or recommended method.

thanks in advance

jim

Jim,

There are several ways to drain the fuel tank and use which one you are comfortable doing it:
1). Gravity flow-----Clamped the fuel hose going to the input of the FP. Disconnect the hose to FP, loosen clamp gradually and let it drip or flow. Have large container/s ready.
2). Break the delivery fuel line to FA (fuel accumulator), attach an extension hose and place the end securely into a container. Turn the ignition switch to ON/RUN position to make the FP run. Fuel will start coming out fast from the disconnected hose. Make sure the end is properly secure to prevent spillage.
3). This is my favorite one. Loosen the flare nut of the return line to the tank. Place a wide mouth container to collect out going fuel. Slowly and gently loosen the flare nut until the fuel starts to drip. You could adjust the flow by moving the nut out further away but do not completely remove the nut until you have a good feel of the flow rate. This takes longer but I like to take my time.
4). Syphon the gasoline from top of the tank. Remove the fuel sending unit and place the syphoning tube. A battery operated one makes the job easy.

#2 is the fastest but if you are not comfortable running the FP, this is not for you. Try #1 or #3. The old gas is still very flamable and avoid any source of ignition in the work area during draining the spent gasoline.

It is advisable to have a fire extinguisher handy as safety precaution and hope you won't need it. Lastly, do not attempt to remove the fuel tank filter for draining purposes. The out flow of fuel is uncontrollable using this method and probably quicker than method #2. But most of the gasoline would on the garage floor!!!!

Whichever method you decide to use, better be safe than sorry. Good luck.

Tony

Last edited by boyt911sc; 10-09-2010 at 06:42 PM..
Old 10-09-2010, 06:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tsunamiboy View Post
The plug on the gas tank can be removed by using a spark plug socket with a extension inserted inside the socket and use the opposite end of the socket into the gas tank plug.
Brilliant! Thank you - I was trying to locate a bolt with a head the correct size to fit that plug, but was not having any luck at the two hardware stores I tried. Little did I realize the solution was sitting in my toolbox the whole time (I just tried it and it fits).

I know what I'll be doing tomorrow...

[edit] After reading joeblow's subsequent post, I decided I had better explain that my tank has already been drained using the fuel pump method (easy to do since I have Webers) and the tank has been removed from the car. I'll be standing the tank on its side when removing the plug so that any remaining fuel won't come spilling out.
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Last edited by frankc; 10-10-2010 at 09:08 AM..
Old 10-09-2010, 07:27 PM
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WARNING!!!!

I had a VERY unfortunate experience once with my first 911, a 72' 'S' that had been slope nosed (Not by me . The fuel was very old and needed to get removed and I planned on inspecting the tank for rust and coating it etc... in preparation for the new engine.

So I jacked up the car and got a big oil drain pan, double checked the approximate amount of fuel and got out the wrench to remove the plug. It was a little tight at first but then got VERY loose...tore out the entire plug area sheet metal leaving a 2" hole in the tank and a 2" stream of fuel all over me and the garage.

What happened next involved gas fired water heaters, fire trucks and lots of pissed off evacuated neighbors!! No fire but it was a major mess. I will never remove the plug at the bottom of a tank again until AFTER all the fuel has been pumped out.

Pumping the fuel is in my opinion best as the filter will catch whatever is in the tank, you can then see what you are dealing with. Two, if the tank is rusted out and comes apart like mine did, no mess. Third, it gives you a chance to see that all the fuel system is working well.

Just my 0.2c
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Old 10-10-2010, 06:12 AM
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Is it OK to pump a tank dry, letting the fuel pump ingest air? I seem to remember reading somewhere that the fuel pumps were not designed to do this.
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Old 10-22-2010, 11:03 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cipotifoso View Post
Is it OK to pump a tank dry, letting the fuel pump ingest air? I seem to remember reading somewhere that the fuel pumps were not designed to do this.
Not for long. From what I understand modern pumps are cooled and lubricated by the fuel itself.
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Old 10-22-2010, 11:10 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cipotifoso View Post
Is it OK to pump a tank dry, letting the fuel pump ingest air? I seem to remember reading somewhere that the fuel pumps were not designed to do this.
I would not leave it pumping dry for long but it will start gurgling when it gets close. Just stop soon after you hear the sound.
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Old 10-22-2010, 11:10 AM
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Get a plastic tub from a home improvement store, the kind used to mix cement. Place it under the tank, then you will need a metric hex head key to fit the drain plug under the tank. Mix the fuel with your daily driver. You should open the filler cap first to relieve pressure.

Don't use any mechanical device to extract fuel unless it is hand powered. Fuel fumes love sparks, so don't use you power drill attachment. Don't use your shop vac like some dummy did to pull out the old fuel, which toasted his boat and garage.
Old 10-30-2010, 08:31 AM
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more safety if you use a metal pan - it won't melt if there is a fire

park in a very open spot & have fire extinguishers, cell phone & a helper handy
Old 10-30-2010, 10:01 AM
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Bigger WARNING:

Not a good idea to have the battery connected or use the fuel pump.
Gravity or suction can’t produce sparks.

DISCONNECT AND REMOVE THE BATTERY FIRST


A siphon works just fine draining the tank via the fuel level sender opening into a metal gas can.
Sure it takes some patience.
That is far better than risking a fire.

Gasoline is the most dangerous substance we will ever handle (unless you deal with explosives and nuclear weapons).

BE VERY CAREFUL.

Best,
Grady

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Old 10-30-2010, 12:19 PM
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