Silly Torque Wrench Question & fuel draining.

[Larswik]

Q1: I ordered my parts and book from Pelican for the oil change/filter and replacing the fuel filter. I don't work on cars a lot but have worked on my old motorcycle in the past.

I do not own a Torque Wrench, yet. Tightening the 2 bolts for the oil change they have a specific torque setting to tighten to. Do I have to buy an expensive one or can I run down to Sears and buy a $29.95 + tax one that will work just as well and some what accurate?

Q2: Before I warm the car up to drain the oil I want to replace the gas that has been in there for about 3 years now. I have a small pump that attaches to a drill can I just feed a tube into the gas tank and pump out the fuel? If so how long of a tube should I use? Also how many gallons do you think is in the 87' 911 Turbo if the gas gauge reads 1/2 a tank? To give me an idea of how much storage I will need for that much gas.

Thanks!

[Nine9six]

Originally Posted by Larswik

Q1: I ordered my parts and book from Pelican for the oil change/filter and replacing the fuel filter. I don't work on cars a lot but have worked on my old motorcycle in the past.

I do not own a Torque Wrench, yet. Tightening the 2 bolts for the oil change they have a specific torque setting to tighten to. Do I have to buy an expensive one or can I run down to Sears and buy a $29.95 + tax one that will work just as well and some what accurate?

Q2: Before I warm the car up to drain the oil I want to replace the gas that has been in there for about 3 years now. I have a small pump that attaches to a drill can I just feed a tube into the gas tank and pump out the fuel? If so how long of a tube should I use? Also how many gallons do you think is in the 87' 911 Turbo if the gas gauge reads 1/2 a tank? To give me an idea of how much storage I will need for that much gas.

Thanks!

The Sears model will suffice. Try to buy a wrench that will suit most of your needs.
I would not recommend using a drill motor and pump system for draining the remaining fuel in your tank. Sparks emitted from the brushes on the armature of the drill motor and fuel fumes usually do not mix well...Unless by mixing well, the desired results is an explosion.

[Bugfuel]

A cheap torque wrench will do. A 3/8" one would be more accurate for this job, but a 1/2" torque wrench would probably have more uses and it is capable of adequate accuracy in the same range. You would use that, to torque your lugnuts too. Something a 3/8" would struggle with or be out of range.
Make sure you have the right size socket in 1/2" or an adapter to reduce the size.

The easiest way to empty your fuel tank is to siphon it. All you need is a long hose. You feed the other end into the tank, all the way to the bottom. The other end must reach the ground, i.e. lower than the fueltank itself. That's where you place your drain pan. Now all you need to do is suck at the hose, and wait for fuel to start coming out. I would recommend a clear hose so you see the fuel whjen it starts running down, so you can stop sucking before you get any in your mouth.

Once you get the fuel flowing out once, it will keep draining on it's own until the tank end sucks in air, or the outside end is lifted above the fuel level in the tank.

Jan

[Oh Haha]

A nice, quality, 1/2 inch drive torque wrench is a great investment. The Sears/Craftsman version is fine. Be sure to use new crush washers above all else.

Honestly, I don't torque the drain plugs. I use new washers each time and I tighten until snug and then a bit more. Yeah, it's not the correct way, so sue me.


Gas- You could have 8-10 gallons of gas in the tank based on the gauge reading half full.

A hose about 4-5 feet long should work just fine with your drill pump. Be sure to cover the fendor with towels or rags so as not to drip any fuel on the paint.

Good luck.

[Oh Haha]

Whoa, I never even thougth about the sparks created by the drill. DUH!!!!!!!!


I take back my advice about using the pump unless it is a hand crank type.

Man, that was a pi$$ poor response on my part. Sorry, man.

[billybek]

You could pull the skid plate under the fuel pump and pull a line and drain from there or you could just try to siphon the fuel out and into a couple of jerry cans.

[Larswik]

Thanks for the suggestions. Wasn't even thinking about sparks and the siphon idea is great I will buy a 5-6 foot clear hose at the hardware store tomorrow and start draining it.

If Pelican mailed my parts today I should have them tomorrow with 2 sets of crush plates (4 total), new fuel filter and oil filter.

Whats the best way of disposing the fuel, up to 10 gallons i guess? If it is 3 years old I don't want to use it or blend it with fresh gas to use it up right?

-Lars

[Oh Haha]

Ya got a lawnmower or weedwhacker?

Mix in some SeaFoam(these guys should be payin' me, I swear) and use it in your lawn equipment.

Seriously, it will work just fine for that, if you add a stabiliser to it.

or call the local gas station and ask what they recommend you do with it.

[Larswik]

Last question for people who have ordered parts from Pelican. Do they send you a shipping conformation email with tracking number when it goes out, or it just shows up at the door step?

-Lars

[Oh Haha]

Yup, you can watch your parts as they leave the warehouse and travel to your destination.

You will get a confirmation email with tracking numbers.

Class act all the way down, right from the top, Mr. Wayne Dempsey, ladies and gentlemen.

[old man neri]

Originally Posted by Larswik

Whats the best way of disposing the fuel, up to 10 gallons i guess?
-Lars

Pile a bunch of wood and have one hell of a good bon fire.

[Larswik]

To Funny. I post the question for mailing and tracking at 6:09 and I get an email at 6:30 tonight with tracking information. Ask and you shall receive : )

-Lars

[RoninLB]

I use about 10 feet of hose to siphon.

[FPB111]

Wayne,
Don't be too hard on yourself about not thinking about drill sparks. A high end resale/repair shop (full of nice cars) burned to the ground when one of the "Mekanics" used a shop vac to empty the fuel out of a Lamborghini.