Siphoning Gas

   / Siphoning Gas #1  

Mrwurm

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2002
Messages
1,569
Location
South East Michigan
Tractor
New Holland TC30 Hydro 4x4, Gravely Zero Turn Mower
Well, gas is scarce right now because of the power outage. I needed to siphon some gas out of the toys to fuel up my car. I seemed to have timed it where I have an 1/8 of a tank right when the power outage started. For those of you that don't know, lines to get gas at the few open stations in S.E. Michigan are averaging 2 to 3 hours.

So, I've discovered that starting a siphon by sucking on the hose is really unpleasant /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I've got a cheap little multipurpose pump that leaks so much it's pointless.

Any other options on starting a siphon hose ?
 
   / Siphoning Gas #3  
If you have a little bit of gas in a can you can fill the hose with gas first. Then plug one end. Stuff the other end into the tank. Put the plugged end lower than the tank. Remove the plug. Fuel will flow.

Or, if you don't have any gas in a can to fill the hose, you can stuff the hose as far as possible into the tank, plug the hose with your thumb and pull out the hose. Drain it into a can. Repeat until you have enough gas to fill the hose and do the above procedure.

Or get a squeeze bulb siphon for a few bucks at an auto store, assuming they have power to run the cash register. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
   / Siphoning Gas #4  
you can also take a piece of wire and fasten a piece of a rag on one end insert wire thru hose insert assembly into source let rag absorb some gas for lubricant and pull thru hose with delivery end lower than source should start first time and no mess(test your assembly for proper rag size beforehand)
 
   / Siphoning Gas #5  
Now, that one's clever! That's going right into my bag of memorized tricks. Make your own suction pump out of a hose and rag. Cool.
 
   / Siphoning Gas #6  
In the past I have stuck the hose into the tank then cover the tank opening with my hand and rag, then use air-compressor to force air into the tank whick will force gas out the hose.

Caution if you have the tank opening covered TOO tight the pressure may force the gas back out and all over you and anything else in range.

I was trying to unstop a fuel line several years ago and blew into the tank with my mouth sealing the opening, made the tank sides pop out and when I removed my mouth.... gas splashed out and you could call me "Old Facefull"

Be extra aware of any open <font color="red">FLAME </font> around the area. If you are in the garage for example some homes have a gas hot water heater located in that area.


OR you've heard the expression "Get a horse!" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / Siphoning Gas #7  
I've done it that way, but, you can kill yourself pretty quickly that way, too. The fumes inside the tank push the oxygen out so the inside of a fuel tank is actually pretty safe. If you look at most sending units and just about all electric fuel pumps you'll notice that they aren't sealed. Lots of electrical sparks or spark potential. Older gas station tanks vent to the atmosphere through lightning rods, er, pipes sticking out of the ground. I don't think I've ever heard of in- ground tanks or gas tanks spontaneously combusting. The reason is all fuel vapor, no air. When you stick that air nozzle into the tank and pressurize it you introduce the missing ingredient for combustion. Add to it the fact that the air streaming out of an air nozzle creates static electricity and you have the potential to make the evening news. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
   / Siphoning Gas #8  
What is the matter with doing it the old fashioned way. Use clear hose and you don't drink too much of it, doesn't tase as bad as caviar /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

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