Devon TRF Group Forum

Monty · Clubman B

Getting petrol out of a dead car.

Lost · Expert

not very pleasent but a old a tried tested way is either syphen petrol out with hose pipe down filler suck it up not nice first mouth full petrol or modern cars have electric fuel pumps find fuel line under bonnett conect another fuel hose to that line turn ignition on pump will do the work for you caution mind yourself with all that petrol vapour ? and have enough tins to catch that fuel lost aww evileye

TTR · Powermonger!!

I guess I have been lucky in that the last two vehicles that were filled with the wrong fuel must not have had the anti-syphon device.

Used garden hose and a pump on the end of an electric drill. Had a couple of 25 litre petrol cans handy and Bob's your uncle! Quite a few diesel vehicles happy to run with the resulting diesel/petrol mix used in moderation....

chrisoncbr · Expert

There is usually a way of putting an extension on the pipe feeding the inlet and using the car's own fuel pump to drain down the tank.

Monty · Clubman B

Cant get a pipe down the filler cap - already tried that.

Didnt realise the fuel pump would just come on with the ignition - thought the engine might have to be running. I'll give it a go later - watch for mushroom cloud over Totnes!!!

Nige · Expert

Take the core out of the schrader valve on the injection rail and fit a hose to it. Or remove the tank sender thats acessable from a removeable panel in the boot or under rear seat and syphon it.

When syphoning use a clear hose so you dont get a mouth full.

Berlingo · Novice

Try the thinner clear PVC pipe, similar to fuel line but smooth. Have used quite a few times with success. You can get a one way bulb (syphon/primer) from DIY / Halfords which you squeeze, once running just make sure its at ground level and should continue through bulb. Have used many times. I have rarely been able to get a hose pipe diameter down any filler neck!

Would definately not recomend sucking on it.

The thinner pipe takes longer but have had them down very newish cars. Also do not leave it unattended no mater how big your jerry tank is!

The lower the jerry tank is below petrol tank the better.

Failing that is there a fuel filter under the tank/wheel arch that you could disconnect.

As you mentioned drilling or knocking a hole can very dodgy, the fumes are as dangerous as the petrol with regard to explosion.

Monty · Clubman B

Lots for me to go on - thanks everyone.

Got a zillion and one things to do, will try and get it somewhere near the top of the list soon.

KronreifTrunkenpolzMattighofen · Devon's Best

Bit of stiff metal rod, smash through the filler pipe anti syphon device, and suck or use a manual transfer pump like these.

http://www.simplesiphon.com/products/

Used to use these in the old mans breakers yard. wink

Most chandleries stock them.

MartinG · Novice

Just a tip to save getting a mouth full of fuel when syphoning fuel out of a tank.

Use a long tube as normal to syphon but instead of sucking out fuel to start it going use a short tube inserted into the tank and seal it with a rag and blow into the tank, pushing fuel out... simples wink

grouty · Expert

Monty .... I have a fuel syponing pump here. You would need to remove the sender unit as described above. Stick the pipe on the handset in, position the handle slightly lower and put the pipe into a can. I have one of those too.
If you are in Totnes I can bring it over next week. I am not far away.
I use it to pump race fuel from one can to another. Great bit of kit, and you will never get a mouthful ! ! !

Simmo · Expert

MartinG wrote:
Just a tip to save getting a mouth full of fuel when syphoning fuel out of a tank.

Kills germs just don't swallow it! Use a long pipe then when you see it coming round the bend take it out of your mouth. (possibly wrong forum)

hoc · Clubman B

good for mouth ulcers, spit dont swallow