Need to move 60 gallons of gas

[slag]

A couple years ago when I put the boat away in storage, I noticed I needed to get all the gas out of the tank because I had lots of water in the separator and in the carb. Well, I still need to do it and would like recommendations on the easiest way to do so. I have the containers to put the fuel in, I just need a way to get it out of the boat and into the containers safely with minimal risk of explosion. I will park the boat in front of my house and its on level ground.

The fuel tank is encased below a fiberglass deck in this 20 foot wellcraft I/O and the liquid has to be pumped out somehow. I know there are manual pumps that can do this at the expense of your arms, but is there a better/faster way to do this without manual pumping?

 

[RLGL]

Take it to your local dealer. They should have the equipment to do it safely.

 

[jaha2000]

From the trailer? I would just siphon it out.

 

[bruceb]

Get one of these (from Mr Gasket) and should be available at most high performance auto parts stores
Runs about $46 or so

http://shop.mr-gasket.com/air-and-f...electric-fuel-pump-micro-35-gph-gasoline.html

Mr. Gasket MICRO ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS are compatible with gasoline only. Solid-state worry free electronics. Eliminates vapor lock and flooding. Works well as a fuel transfer pump and makes a great stand-alone or booster pump
Gravity Fed type pump with simple two-wire design. Works on 12 Volt negative ground systems only. Includes fittings and mounting hardware along with easy to follow DIY instructions. Fuel is contained safely inside a durable metal housing. Pumps require approximately one amp average draw at maximum delivery. Part No. 12S Specs: 4-7 PSI, 35 GPH. Universal design for most domestic 4, 6, & 8 cylinder carburetor applications. Not recommended for diesel, methanol, ethanol, E85 or Race Fuel applications!! Please see part # 12D for Diesel applications or part # 12E for Ethanol, Methanol, E85 and Race Fuel applications.

 

[skyking]

siphon is easy.
Get the proper hose, and all your containers lined up. Do not suck on the hose like a moran!
Hold the end by the tank just out of the tank, and plug it. Hold the rest of the hose so the air will come back out, and fill with another gas can and small funnel. This takes a little time.
After hose is substantially full, block off the other end. Unplug and plunge the hose into the tank. Lower the other end of the hose, keeping it plugged so the gas stays in it, down below the boat tank level and into the first can.
Enjoy a cold drink of choice without that annoying gasoline taste.
EDIT: if the boat tank is that full, you can just submerge the siphon hose into it and let all the air out, thus filling it with gas. Plug line till you get it below the tank level, and do be sure to have more hose outside than inside. Profit

 

[slag]

siphon is easy.
Get the proper hose, and all your containers lined up. Do not suck on the hose like a moran!
Hold the end by the tank just out of the tank, and plug it. Hold the rest of the hose so the air will come back out, and fill with another gas can and small funnel. This takes a little time.
After hose is substantially full, block off the other end. Unplug and plunge the hose into the tank. Lower the other end of the hose, keeping it plugged so the gas stays in it, down below the boat tank level and into the first can.
Enjoy a cold drink of choice without that annoying gasoline taste.
EDIT: if the boat tank is that full, you can just submerge the siphon hose into it and let all the air out, thus filling it with gas. Plug line till you get it below the tank level, and do be sure to have more hose outside than inside. Profit

That was my initial plan but a guy at work said he had all kinds of issues making that work with air still getting in the line. I think he was just doing it incorrectly. I am going to take the two access ports off where the fuel filler hose and sender unit go, stick a hose down into the fuel inlet to the bottom and pressurize the other hole with compressed air until fuel flows out. Then just let nature take its course while I drink said cold beer.

 

[slag]

Get one of these (from Mr Gasket) and should be available at most high performance auto parts stores
Runs about $46 or so

http://shop.mr-gasket.com/air-and-f...electric-fuel-pump-micro-35-gph-gasoline.html


Mr. Gasket MICRO ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS are compatible with gasoline only. Solid-state worry free electronics. Eliminates vapor lock and flooding. Works well as a fuel transfer pump and makes a great stand-alone or booster pump
Gravity Fed type pump with simple two-wire design. Works on 12 Volt negative ground systems only. Includes fittings and mounting hardware along with easy to follow DIY instructions. Fuel is contained safely inside a durable metal housing. Pumps require approximately one amp average draw at maximum delivery. Part No. 12S Specs: 4-7 PSI, 35 GPH. Universal design for most domestic 4, 6, & 8 cylinder carburetor applications. Not recommended for diesel, methanol, ethanol, E85 or Race Fuel applications!! Please see part # 12D for Diesel applications or part # 12E for Ethanol, Methanol, E85 and Race Fuel applications.

I'm going to pick one of these up just because I have other uses as well as this one for it. Thanks!

 

[deathBOB]

I've heard trash cans work well.


But you do not...

AT Moderator
Bartman39

 

[slag]

I've heard trash cans work well.

Then just dump it down the storm sewer at night?

To be fair, my tank is 60 gallons but its not full. Its a little over half full probably so what does one do with 35 gallons of gasoline they pump out of a tank? I used to use it as a solvent when I lived in my old neighborhood, but can't in this newer area.

 

[thomsbrain]

Most areas have a hazardous waste disposal site at one or more of the garbage transfer stations or dumps. Generally free for residents and the ones I have been to handle all the grunt work of unloading at the site (they prefer for you to stay in your vehicle). Same place you'd take paint, solvents, poisons, et cetera.

 

[PottedMeat]

I've heard trash cans work well.

only if you live in philly


PottedMeat... Sorry but this is not OT so do not post like this again in the garage...

AT Moderator
Bartman39

"removed"

 

[Meghan54]

I've just used gas line and siphoned out the gas from two boats' fuel tanks that I had to drain.

For what it's worth, when you go to store your boat long term, or even short term, treat the fuel in the tank with stabilizer and keep the tank full, not half full or empty.

 

[slag]

So pressurizing the fuel tank did not work. I couldn't safely get enough pressure to move the check ball in the line. I ended up buying a $40.00 mr gasket external fuel pump which safely pumped the gas out of the tank and into multiple portable fuel storage containers. I have an appointment Wednesday evening to dump this off at the hazardous waste area in town so that will be over with.

I then took the carb off and dumped out a ton of water and chunks of cottage cheese looking crap which was solidified water/fuel gunk. I ordered a rebuild kit for the holley carb and it should be here this week. There was some corrosion on the accelerator pump internals and float bowl so I'll just clean it out thoroughly and rebuild the carb and everything should be good. Looking forward to getting out on the water soon!

 

[jlee]

I was going to suggest running a fuel line off your existing fuel pump, and just let that pump it out for you -- but it looks like you've already solved it. Enjoy!

 

[slag]

I was going to suggest running a fuel line off your existing fuel pump, and just let that pump it out for you -- but it looks like you've already solved it. Enjoy!

My fuel pump is mechanical so I'd have to crank the engine to get it to pump. I'm thinking about replacing the fuel pump as well as preventative measure since its just a couple bolts and it comes off easily.

$61.00 for peace of mind.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...5nzfPDk1zICa_u3hQsz9x9D3Kuvhr_qpUDxoCThnw_wcB

 

[boomerang]

My fuel pump is mechanical so I'd have to crank the engine to get it to pump. I'm thinking about replacing the fuel pump as well as preventative measure since its just a couple bolts and it comes off easily.

$61.00 for peace of mind.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...5nzfPDk1zICa_u3hQsz9x9D3Kuvhr_qpUDxoCThnw_wcB

Yeah, if the carb is gummed up what's the pump like? Probably a good plan. I don't think I would have thought of it. :thumbsup:

Hmm, I wonder if you can buy a rebuild kit?

 

[lxskllr]

Can't you use the fuel in your lawnmower or something? I wouldn't like trashing tnat much energy.

 

[slag]

Can't you use the fuel in your lawnmower or something? I wouldn't like trashing tnat much energy.

No, its full of water for the most part and at least a couple years old. An older car can burn "bad" gas much easier than a single cylinder lawn mower can anyway, but no, its not worth it to try to salvage it.

 

[lxskllr]

No, its full of water for the most part and at least a couple years old. An older car can burn "bad" gas much easier than a single cylinder lawn mower can anyway, but no, its not worth it to try to salvage it.

Water separates nicely. *I'd* try it unless the fuel looked really gnarly. Mowers are easy enough to break down if it really didn't work.

 

[twinrider1]

Late to the party, but in case anyone else needs to move a liquid......There's a really cool siphon called a jiggler or a shaker siphon. Couldn't be simpler. Basically a check valve in the head. So as you shake it it traps fluid above it, until there's enough fluid moving to get a siphon going. The only consideration is, like any siphon, the receiving tank has to be below the source tank.

 

[slag]

Late to the party, but in case anyone else needs to move a liquid......There's a really cool siphon called a jiggler or a shaker siphon. Couldn't be simpler. Basically a check valve in the head. So as you shake it it traps fluid above it, until there's enough fluid moving to get a siphon going. The only consideration is, like any siphon, the receiving tank has to be below the source tank.

Wouldn't work for what I was doing. I tied directly into the fuel feed line. I probably could have removed the feed tube and just dropped the fuel line down into the tank, but the feed tube was rigid and went down to the bottm and it was easy to tie into it and use an electric pump to suck the fuel out. The check valve complicated using a tool like this.

 

[slag]

Water separates nicely. *I'd* try it unless the fuel looked really gnarly. Mowers are easy enough to break down if it really didn't work.

Not worth the trouble.

 

[boomerang]

Late to the party, but in case anyone else needs to move a liquid......There's a really cool siphon called a jiggler or a shaker siphon. Couldn't be simpler. Basically a check valve in the head. So as you shake it it traps fluid above it, until there's enough fluid moving to get a siphon going. The only consideration is, like any siphon, the receiving tank has to be below the source tank.

So, you wrap your hand around it and shake vigorously? I think I could do that. :biggrin:

 

[twinrider1]

Wouldn't work for what I was doing. I tied directly into the fuel feed line. I probably could have removed the feed tube and just dropped the fuel line down into the tank, but the feed tube was rigid and went down to the bottm and it was easy to tie into it and use an electric pump to suck the fuel out. The check valve complicated using a tool like this.

Yep, with this you just put it down the regular gas inlet. Your method was definitely more thorough.

 

[slag]

So I messed up. After getting all that old fuel out and putting in 20 gallons, a new fuel filter, and lots of labor, I rebuilt the carb and fired it up on muffs. Worked great, idled for 5 mins, a few quick throttle bursts and we were done.

Headed to the lake and after idling through the no wake zone, my wife opened it up and we took off across the lake. Boat ran beautifully... for about 45 seconds.

"It died" she said and I sighed. Of course, by this time, we were well into the lake and pretty far from anyone. It was also the middle of the week so there were no others around. I took the fuel line off the carb and the little screen was plugged with what looked like jelly. Cleaned it out and had her turn the key while the line was disconnected and water shot out of the formed metal fuel line.

WTF. Seems like I should have taken the advice here and put a line all the way down in the tank and not relied on the pickup. Guessing when she floored it and the bow raised up, all that water ran to the back of the tank where the pickup is and it sucked up all that water. So.. yeah, got it home after 2 hours of paddling, took the float bowl off the carb and water dumped out. Put on a new fuel filter and also opened up the tank and siphoned every last bit of gas out. The first 15 gallons were great and I put them in my truck. The last few gallons were cloudy and after letting it settle, I found about 3 inches of water in the bottom of the portable 6 gallon gas tank. We did manage to get all of it out though and a day later, after putting in another 30 gallons, my son and I took it out to the lake and ran it all over for about 30 minutes. Ran great.

Then yesterday it died again with the family on the lake after an hour. Quick lake diagnosis showed it was no longer pumping fuel. After finally getting it home again (ugh), found a small tear inside on the diaphram that was not allowing fuel to get sucked out of the tank. New pump should be here on Wednesday. When it rains, it pours. What next?? I should have taken my advice and replaced the pump when I was going to a couple weeks ago.