Sometimes it is just better to "pay the man" and as mentioned have a company come and drain it and haul it away.!/QUOTE]
Aw c'mon now, Caj is an Attorney, and you should know how cheap they are. Pay someone????????Funny stuff right there.
emptying a gas tank
- Thread starter CAJUNLAWYER
- Start date
I would use a good Rubber hand held pump. I have one that I got from an Auto store. It can be used for oil or gasoline. You pump it a couple of times until the liquid starts to flow and you are done. Just make sure you have a large enough container.
BTW- Did you tell she who must be obeyed that you really need to take a vacation and use that boat instead? This would not happen if you had more time off to use the boat. Just sayin...
BTW- Did you tell she who must be obeyed that you really need to take a vacation and use that boat instead? This would not happen if you had more time off to use the boat. Just sayin...
They make zillions......
They make zillions of hand pumps that will handle gas. If it's made for a drum you might have to shorten the dip tube. Google it and be surprised. I was about to recommend a Jabsco flexible impeller pump that is run by a drill motor, but it may be incompatible with gas and a fire hazard to boot, but it's good to know these things are out there.
They make zillions of hand pumps that will handle gas. If it's made for a drum you might have to shorten the dip tube. Google it and be surprised. I was about to recommend a Jabsco flexible impeller pump that is run by a drill motor, but it may be incompatible with gas and a fire hazard to boot, but it's good to know these things are out there.
bgrone
Member
Contaminated fuel
Caj, I just had a similar task; a lawn care company had a diesel pickup that an employee had mistakenly filled with gasoline. I used an electric fuel pump from a GM pickup added longer wires with clamps to attach to battery (long enough to be safe distance from pump when connecting) fashioned nipples to connect at flexible fuel line under the hood and an outlet line to reach a 55 gal drum. From the size of your tank I surmise that your boat is such that there is a flex connection near the engine that you can connect to a pump. The late GM pickup fuel pump is a magnetic pulse pump so spark risk is eliminated, a local salvage yard should be able to supply you with one at a reasonable cost and you will have a portable transfer pumps you can use in the future. Most of the 12v pumps available at Tractor Supply etc., in the lower price ranges are designed for diesel fuel only.
PM me if you want more details.
Jim in Iowa
Caj, I just had a similar task; a lawn care company had a diesel pickup that an employee had mistakenly filled with gasoline. I used an electric fuel pump from a GM pickup added longer wires with clamps to attach to battery (long enough to be safe distance from pump when connecting) fashioned nipples to connect at flexible fuel line under the hood and an outlet line to reach a 55 gal drum. From the size of your tank I surmise that your boat is such that there is a flex connection near the engine that you can connect to a pump. The late GM pickup fuel pump is a magnetic pulse pump so spark risk is eliminated, a local salvage yard should be able to supply you with one at a reasonable cost and you will have a portable transfer pumps you can use in the future. Most of the 12v pumps available at Tractor Supply etc., in the lower price ranges are designed for diesel fuel only.
PM me if you want more details.
Jim in Iowa
amazingflapjack
US Veteran
Could/should be a drain in the bottom of the tank somewhere, but if not, I would treat the gas with denatured alcohol or some other additive. If possible, I would manually siphon (enjoy the flavor) a small amount with thin plastic hose, and "test" it in a lawn mower or other small engine while adding some "dry gas" to see if it will improve to the point where it is usable, and then add the same proportion to the boat tank; if you can't just suck it out.
nawilson
US Veteran
Caj... surely some of your clients have experience in the logistics of relocating petroleum products from one container to another...
Frank46
US Veteran
Come over to my place and I'll loan you a hand cranked gas pump that I used to pump gas out of a 55 gallon drum for my riding mower and I'll even throw in a 55 gallon drum for free. Can't get any cheaper than that.I'm in new iberia, Frank send me a pm will give you my phone # and address.
Fill it full of whipped cream. Oh forget it.
bhayles
Member
A "cheap siphon pump" will get you killed or burned bad when trying to siphon gas. A fire safe pump, much like you see on equipment fueling tanks on job sites or in the back of the super's pickup, is all you should use...and they ain't cheap.
Got any friends with heavy equipment? They should have an appropriate pump you could borrow.
On the other hand, "got any friends" may not apply. After all, you ARE a lawyer...
doublesharp
Member
I had about 10 gallon to pump out of a bass boat. The way I did it was to disconnect the fuel line just past the bulb and then squeeze the bulb and direct the fuel into a gas can. It was a tedious job but I found it went faster if I daydreamed about Dolly. 
I had a 2000 chevy with a 5.3 at the time and I mixed the old gas in a couple gallons at a time until it was gone. No problems. Lately I've been treating my gas with Stabil marine and then adding an oz of Seafoam per gallon as well.
I had a 2000 chevy with a 5.3 at the time and I mixed the old gas in a couple gallons at a time until it was gone. No problems. Lately I've been treating my gas with Stabil marine and then adding an oz of Seafoam per gallon as well.
OP
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Thanks Frank-but I found a guy with a waste oil business who is going to suck it out himself for the gas.
Problem solved and I don't even have to get my hands dirty or sweat
Looks like your problem is solved Caj, I've removed fuel from more than a couple of boats and vehicles and it usually involves spilling a certain amount of fuel even with the best trained hands involved. Im at a stage in life where I usually find its best to let someone else do the dirty work. I was going to mention that if its just old stale gas you do not need to remove all of it, just the majority or at least 3/4 of it. The rest will mix with the fresh and Stabil or whatever you want to add and then get her out and use her and always keep a stabilizer in your fuel if its going to set for even as little as six months. Modern fuel does not last nearly as well as the good old stuff, I store 35 gallons of fuel for home generator use. It is not needed in the summer so gets burned up in the RV, that way I fill them back up and have fresh stabilized fuel to get me through the fall and winter. Part of the reason people have problems with engines starting after sitting for long periods is that the fuel breaks down in the carb or fuel system. Any engine should be started at least once a month and run up to operating temps for at least 15 minutes. The alternative is completely draining the fuel system which then often leads to dried out gaskets that tend to start things leaking. Pay me now or pay me later...
OP
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
My problem, and I ought to be horsewhipped for it, is that I just can't seem to find te time to take her out. It has been close to two and a half years since I took the old girl out and I've made the decision to get her running and either start finding time to use her or sell her. My problem-I know-the solution is up to me.
As far as the Sea Foam-I've got a can for the little boat.
Mickey D
Member
I can tell the outcome will suck.
Leslie Sapp
Member
Disconnect the line at the engine, add enough line to get into the cans you are putting it in. Remove the filler cap from the gas tank and run an air line from a small compressor down the filler tube a foot or so. Pack a rag around the air line to seal it off. Gently pressurize the fuel tank, and the fuel will be pushed out into the cans at the back of the boat.
Take your time and don't put more than 10-15 lbs of pressure on the tank, as you can blow the seams if you pump it up too much.
Had to take 85 gallons of mixed gas out of mine when I went to a four stroke a few years back. Made my buddy the tree surgeon happy, he ended up with a pile of chainsaw gas!
Take your time and don't put more than 10-15 lbs of pressure on the tank, as you can blow the seams if you pump it up too much.
Had to take 85 gallons of mixed gas out of mine when I went to a four stroke a few years back. Made my buddy the tree surgeon happy, he ended up with a pile of chainsaw gas!
smokindog
Member
So now I'll give you the other half of my story on "flushing old gas".
I had just spent 2 of the craziest years of my life working on getting a start up off the ground so the boat saw nothing but the trailer. I DID get out every month or so to at least turn it over and even kept Sta Bil in a full tank.
When I finally got it back in the water, it would idle fine and would run at moderate speed if slowly brought to speed. However, try to yank someone out of the water or otherwise step on the old 302 (bored out, high lift, ...) and it would begin to stutter and stall.
I flushed the old gas, rebuilt the carb, and did all the other things all the collective brains of the "shade tree" mechanics could come up with.
Well I finally had to turn it over to the pros and they found some "fun loving" person had provided me some fuel additive. A small amount of sandy/rocky material was in the bottom of the tank and was just enough to reduce the fuel flow by getting pulled up to the anti-siphon valve such that "high demand" situations starved the engine.
I HOPE you don't have a similar situation. 2 1/2 year old gas should still operate for cruising!!!
I had just spent 2 of the craziest years of my life working on getting a start up off the ground so the boat saw nothing but the trailer. I DID get out every month or so to at least turn it over and even kept Sta Bil in a full tank.
When I finally got it back in the water, it would idle fine and would run at moderate speed if slowly brought to speed. However, try to yank someone out of the water or otherwise step on the old 302 (bored out, high lift, ...) and it would begin to stutter and stall.
I flushed the old gas, rebuilt the carb, and did all the other things all the collective brains of the "shade tree" mechanics could come up with.
Well I finally had to turn it over to the pros and they found some "fun loving" person had provided me some fuel additive. A small amount of sandy/rocky material was in the bottom of the tank and was just enough to reduce the fuel flow by getting pulled up to the anti-siphon valve such that "high demand" situations starved the engine.
I HOPE you don't have a similar situation. 2 1/2 year old gas should still operate for cruising!!!
My problem, and I ought to be horsewhipped for it, is that I just can't seem to find te time to take her out. It has been close to two and a half years since I took the old girl out and I've made the decision to get her running and either start finding time to use her or sell her. My problem-I know-the solution is up to me.
As far as the Sea Foam-I've got a can for the little boat.
Frank46
US Veteran
Caj,send him over my way as I have about 5 5 gallon cans with stale gas.
I'll even give him the drum I promised you if he'll come and take it away.Frank
I'll even give him the drum I promised you if he'll come and take it away.Frank
bgrone
Member
Good work
Good job Caj! Almost like getting the garbage truck to pay you for your garbage. Some posters advised diluting bad/contaminated fuel to burn it up; that would be alright in a pickup or old car, not something I'd recommend for a boat or a newer fuel injected vehicle. Good luck with the fresh fuel, hope you get time to take the ol' girl out and get some use out of it.
Of course you already know the two happiest days in a boat owner's life
Jim in Iowa
Good job Caj! Almost like getting the garbage truck to pay you for your garbage. Some posters advised diluting bad/contaminated fuel to burn it up; that would be alright in a pickup or old car, not something I'd recommend for a boat or a newer fuel injected vehicle. Good luck with the fresh fuel, hope you get time to take the ol' girl out and get some use out of it.
Of course you already know the two happiest days in a boat owner's life
Jim in Iowa
