924Board.org

emoore924 · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 2822

I'm looking for the best (and safest) way to remove about 10 gal of fuel from the gas tank on my 79 n/a.

I need to do this with the tank in place.

I do NOT want to siphon the fuel out.

I do NOT want to take a chance of dumping fuel all over the place by removing some fuel line from the bottom of the tank. I tried to remove a few gallons some time ago by taking off that little S-shaped hose from the fuel pump. Yeesh, there is definitely some pressure on the fuel if only by gravity and I narrowly escaped dumping fuel all over the place.

I was thinking that I could remove a downstream-from-the-pump fuel line, the return line perhaps, turn the key to on (to turn on the pump) and pump the fuel into a container.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Real-world experience? TIA

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

Clamp the S-hose in the middle of the hose, remove the S-hose where it attaches to the external fuel pump, then point the S-hose into a bucket and release the clamp.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

Or, remove the fuel hose where it enters the fuel distributor and point this hose into a bucket. Remove the fuel pump relay and jumper connections 30 and 87. This will run the fuel pump and empty the tank. Problem is, you will eventually run the pump dry which is bad for the pump. Plus, if you are trying to dump old gas, it will send all the particulate through your fuel hoses where it will sit until you refill and it is picked up by the new gas. I say go for the S-hose method.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

Smoothie · Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 3:33 am Post subject:

Johno · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 53 Location: Greendale, WI

10 gal. is a lot of fuel, before you start make sure you have somewhere to put it all. If you are going to reuse it you might want to also figure out how to filter it.
Plan ahead, it has been my experince that gas evaporates pretty quickly so I don't worry about a little spill. - just don't smoke until it is gone
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79 924 NA

D Hook · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3158 Location: Omaha, NE

Pumping fuel via the pump is never a good idea, IMHO. Sparks, heat, fumes, all bad combinations.

Do the S-hose as suggested. Disconnect the battery first. Be careful of fumes if you're in a garage or near any appliance. Even electric water heaters can arc when switching on/off. And gas heaters/furnaces can be big problems.

Above all, plan ahead and be careful. These cars are getting more rare all the time.

emoore924 · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 2822

Thanks for all the great input so far.

I'm sort of trying to avoid pinching off the s-hose. I did that the last time and the hose failed -- after pinching off for something else, huge bulging blisters suddenly appeared on the outside of the hose as the outer skin delaminated from the hose core. While the blisters grew before my very eyes (imagine a 3-stooges comedy sketch), I scrambled around looking for something to put the fuel in. I finally was able to get most of the gas aimed into a gas can just as the hose failed completely. A scary mess to be sure. Worst of all, it cost me %*@&# $75 for a new s-hose.

So, I was kinda looking for a way to leave the s-hose alone. It seems kind of silly now but what if that hose failed 6 hours after the pinch off and it spilled fuel all over the garage floor. I don't want to blow up the house if the hose goes kaflooie on me again.

Keep the ideas coming. At this point I'm kinda leaning towards the "jumper the relay and use the pump" approach but I am definitely still open to all suggestions...

Smoothie · Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 7:49 am Post subject:

It's probably time for a new hose anyway if squeezing it makes it crack, right? I replaced my "S" hose with a length of 1/2" fuel line from the local NAPA auto parts store. I have it coming out the tank, then clockwise (as viewed from below) around the tank, then over to the main pump. It's held up high and out of the way with plastic ratchet ties. There hasn't been a hint of trouble from the gas having to take the different route. (I do have a working in-tank pump in place though.)
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In your situation with 10 gallons, I'd be siphoning out as much as possible, then clamping the S hose to drain some more from there, then catching the rest with a pan (all with the battery previously disconnected).
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

I agree, it must have been time for a new hose. The replacement hose was around $16 when I picked one up, well worth it for peace of mind when it comes to gasoline.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

Paul · Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 11:56 am Post subject:

Just go to the hardware store and buy about 10 feet of 3/8" of clear plastic tubing.

Stick about 3 feet of it in the filler tube, let the rest loop down to the floor and then lift the end higher than the filler tube and suck.

The gas will not go higher than the filler tube, so there's no chance of getting any of it in your mouth.

Lower the end into a empty can.

Or if you have compressed air, insert the tube, place the other end in the can, stuff a rag in the filler tube, insert your air gun between the hose and the rag, and pull the trigger.

numbbers · Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 11:57 am Post subject:

And, of course, make sure that you are smoking while you do it.
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1980 924 Turbo

Paul · Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 12:00 pm Post subject:

And of course always do this inside your garage.....NOT

Sleykin · Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 2:21 pm Post subject:

There was a guy up this way thought it would be a good idea to use the shop vac to suck the gas out of his boat for the winter. He is lucky to be alive and the boat is history

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Glenn Neff
Medford, OR
87' 924S

John Brown · Joined: 07 Nov 2002 Posts: 903 Location: Leesburg VA

Hi Ed.

In the last year I've drained a couple of cars multiple times each. Must say, the method I like best now is to slip a larger size fuel hose over the supply line banjo fitting at the fuel distributor and then run that hose into a 5 gallon container. (As it happens, on the 931 the geometry is such that I can get the banjo directly into the can without a hose).

Yes, obviously care needs to be used to not spill or spray fuel around. Suggest you make up a 'maintenance jumper' with a switch inline. A few feet of wire with spade connectors and a large SPST switch allows you to jumper the fuel relay and easily control the running of the pump.

I concur that if the 'S' hose died it was ready to go any moment anyway. We here routinely pinch off that hose and if they are in servicable condition there is no ill effect. The 'S' hose is one that I routinely tell owners of these old cars to replace.

With the car up on a trailer or lift I can pinch the 'S' hose, put the fuel pump end into a can and then drain the tank.

BTW, on the track cars I have started eliminating the in-tank pump in favor of the fuel screen/filter used in the early 944. So far so good. One less thing the malfunction. Would NOT run with out the screen/filter.
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John
80 931 - #931 44Cup
99 Escalade - tows track cars
gone but not forgotten: original 924.org car - 82

924guy · Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 12:02 am Post subject:

what about going in through the float sender on top with a mighty vac or similiar pump? seems to me you could not only evacuate the fuel that way, but also suck out most of the chunky stuff that builds in the tank over time..and with long hoses, its a pretty clean way of going about it...
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Eric
78 924
82 931 SE "smokey"
99' VehiCross
Y2K Honda Insight
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