how to remove old gasoline or diesel from about anything

MODS: if you feel this post may cause an unsafe situation with someone please delete it.

I am putting this here so it wont be missed in the boat gas storage thread.
Disclaimer: if you choose to build one of these you do so at your own risk as any fuel can be readily ignited when the air/fuel ratio is perfect and an ignition source is present including static electricity, use extreme caution please !!!!!!
I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU AND YOUR LACK OF PAYING ATTENTION, that and I dont want to hear of anyone getting hurt, burning down a building, etc.

This is a generic 12 volt pulse pump available at any parts store.
The wiring I used is 12 gauge trailer brake wiring as it is encased in its own sheath, connections are made using heat shrink butt connectors and a pair of battery clamps, the wiring is about seven feet long to get the connections away from a fuel source.
The filter comes with the pump as well as a couple of fittings, use the filter so that it protects the pumps internal parts.

The hose I used is rated for gasoline, this is a must, DO NOT USE VACUUM HOSE or anything else that is not rated for it as gasoline will eat it alive.
DO THIS OUTSIDE!!! ( ya, I have shown pics of it being done in the shop but what you dont see is a fire extinguisher and a garden hose at the ready out of site of the camera )
I also used a bucket so you could more easily see how crappy the fuel was coming out of the tank, DONT DO THIS AT HOME! pump the old fuel into a gas jug !!
Make sure your connections to the tank are secure and leak proof, it is preferable that you make the connection at the tank fitting, again, you dont want to have a fire hazard.
connect the battery leads and it will start pumping, it may need primed with a shot of oil as gas is very dry, no biggie and it wont take much.
Do not overfill the jug ! unhook the negative clamp and let the gas finish draining out of the hose.

Old gasoline can be disposed of at about any recycling center that takes old paint and what not.

Now, I know someone is going to ask why I didnt use an off/on switch in the wiring to the pump, one, unless you use an explosion proof switch a generic switch is an ignition source, two, clamps are effective enough given that your wiring is long enough to get away from any potential leak.
three, a switch is just something else than can wrong and there are fewer connections without it.
four, because thats how I did it thats why!

I cant stress enough, BE CAREFUL!!

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i use a hose and stick one end in the tank and one end in a empty gas can. then take your air compressor with a air nozzle on it and stick it in the tank and cover the hole tight with a rag and put a little bit of pressure in the tank. gas will flow through the hose and right into the gas can by itself once the flow starts. dont need to worry about anything blowing up and no electricity close by

Coletrain, using air pressure especially if unregulated is a good way to rupture a tank and you are creating a potential bomb.
The way I am showing is safe when common sense is employed and in most instances there isnt enough height differential for gravity to take over and keep the flow going.

Not berating you at all as most people dont have the “feel” for when there is too much air pressure being used.
I have done it that way also but feel this is much safer as you are not possibly causing a leak that wasnt there before with pressure.

Great write up! I have the same setup except I use a 20v dewalt battery and adapter.

Speaking of gas safety those of you with carpet in your boat might not want to vacuum near your tank, fumes can go into the canister that with the electricity can give you a problem

Iowaboy1 wrote:

Coletrain, using air pressure especially if unregulated is a good way to rupture a tank and you are creating a potential bomb.
The way I am showing is safe when common sense is employed and in most instances there isnt enough height differential for gravity to take over and keep the flow going.

Not berating you at all as most people dont have the “feel” for when there is too much air pressure being used.
I have done it that way also but feel this is much safer as you are not possibly causing a leak that wasnt there before with pressure.

you dont need hardly any pressure for it to start flowing. if you dont feel safe and dont know how much pressure to use then pump your compressor up to only 10 psi and go from there. ive used this method literaly over 100 times and never had an issue with with gravity and not flowing. not saying your way isnt correct just saying how i do it and no electricity involved close by

I changed my post to agree with Sheldon.

Okay fellas and readers of this thread, knowing something is a great thing, understanding what you know is powerful medicine.

The reason I am against using air to pressurize any sort of a fuel tank to start gravitational flow is this:

Air, especially dry air under pressure is the perfect storm as an ignition source why??
Moving air can and will create a static charge.
Put pressure on a tank and you are introducing not only an ignition source you are oxidizing a fuel source that will become a bomb.
Now, think about the empty space in a fuel tank,lots of area and depending on cubic inches available you have the equivalent of a stick of dynamite or more.

We ain’t stopping there, whether it’s air pressure carrying fumes/liquid fuel back out or due to the detonation of the available space you now have a gigantic fire when the tank ruptures or the cloud of fumes ignite and there is 0 place to run.

Yes,I have done exactly what a couple here have done, but, I have also been burnt with 1st,2nd,and 3rd degree burns on my face, neck, left shoulder,left arm,both hands and half of my chest from a dumbass stunt.
I will tell you peeling of a melting shirt while burning and in shock while watching your skin peel off isn’t a fun thing to experience.

Keep making your bombs boys,I hope you never have to go through what I did, and after warning you and you still try it,I will pray for your recovery when it happens, the day will come sorry to say.

I will add,I feel much safer a ways from a fuel source with a fan blowing fumes away from me while I hook up a battery clamp and a hose carries the fuel safely to safe vessel.