Draining fuel tanks

CheckRaise · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 2:45 pm Post subject: Draining fuel tanks

I've got a 22' cruiser with 2+ year old, untreated gas in its tanks. I'm hesitant to burn it off, even at an idle. Has anyone determined a (relatively) easy way of pumping/draining gas out of their tanks?

matt_unique · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 3:11 pm Post subject: Gas

I have drained gas tanks before using a hand pump.

Tug · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 3:28 pm Post subject:

I just use a long clear siphoning hose and a few good draws on the hose and your set.I just drape the hose over the gunnel and empty into a gas can. With the clear hose you can see the gas coming and that way you do not end up swallowing any gas.Works for me. Tug

Chester · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 4:45 pm Post subject:

The fuel line connector that goes to the engine has a check valve that can be opened by inserting a small tie wrap, WD-40 hose or similar soft object. Put the opened connector into an empty fuel can below the bottom of the boat and start the siphoning process by squeezing the fuelline bulb. Please note the bulb is sensitive to the attitude it is held at.
This is slow but it works OK.

Steve

jimcinfra · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:57 pm Post subject:

I don't know if it is the best way, but I used a shop vac to drain my tanks. I was scared the whole time. I put some water in the shop vac each time I ran it.

Alok · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 8:04 pm Post subject:

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:19 pm Post subject: Re: Draining fuel tanks

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:28 pm Post subject:

matt_unique · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 4:55 am Post subject: Wow

jennykatz · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 8:12 am Post subject: fuel tanks

This would be a perfect time to take out those check valves if you have them then I would use long hose connected to fuel bulb drape over gunnel squeeze the bulb a few times and then remove bulb this should then siphon off rest of gas works for me

I keep a fuel line an extra bulb on board .With the cc-23 the alum fuel tank pickup is in front of tank so when you are on plane with a few degrees angle of attack fuel goes to back of tank so you are not pulling all the gas out . 30 gallons and maybe you can use 25 gallons .So I keep the bulb and line to transfer fuel to other tank if I get caught with less fuel in one tank I can transfer fuel to the tank im using .

thataway · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:31 pm Post subject:

From a safety standpoint--I hope that the shop vac post was a spoof. That is a very good way to blow up the boat and yourself....

I have used my fuel polishing and transfer system to take fuel out of the tanks of a number of boats. I put the fuel into 30 gallon plastic containers or 5 gallon cans. After filtering with a 2 micron filter and adding addatives, plus adding 2;1 fresh gas, I have burned it in my SUV. This gets away from "what do I do with the old fuel".

jimcinfra · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:43 pm Post subject:

No, not a spoof. I quess from the reaction I was completely a dumb ass for doing what I did. Thank the good Lord for protecting me!

DaveS · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:14 am Post subject:

rogerbum · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:30 am Post subject:

Here's some raw video of the end of the fire and here's some of it fully engulfed.

DaveS · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:48 am Post subject:

Thank you Roger! That was fast.....16 minutes from my request for video footage to your having it posted on the "thread".