Draining the Fuel Tank

Tiny
MSPRAGUE80
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • 109,000 MILES
I have a 2003 Ford Explorer that I'm getting ready to junk. Unfortunately, it has nearly a full tank of gas that that must be removed. What is a good way to siphon off the gas in the tank? I've tried removing the fill tube to bypass the screen, but it appears that I'm running into problems getting around the check ball.
Saturday, August 31st, 2013 AT 10:32 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If you can't do it that way you can disconnect the line and pump into a car or gas can with fuel pump if it's still good. There is a flap for rollover in the tank you might try putting a large scredrive part way in to hld it open then put your siphon hose in.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2013 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
176SUPERTECH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2006 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 79,000 MILES
Just recently when I try to fill the gas tank, the gas pump kicks off after 15 seconds and I can hear a hissing soung as air tries to escape from the gas fill tube. If I pump gas very slowly the pump will not kick off as fast but it takes an extremely long time to fill the tank.
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Sunday, July 14th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi:
Under the vehicle where the filler tube is located (where you pump the gas), you will see a smaller tube that attaches to it up high on the filler. It too is steel like the filler tube and then connects to a rubber hose and then to the tank.

The smaller tube is the breather or vent that is to allow air to escape from the tank when gas is entering. What I need you to do is check that tube. Look for damage to it, bends, kinks. If air can't escape from it, the pump will do exactly what you said.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Sunday, July 14th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARMUD
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  • 1 POST
  • 2005 FORD EXPLORER
  • 76,000 MILES
Having trouble filling fuel tank. Pulled small vent line of gas fill put vacuum to it appears to be blockage. Put air pressure to it approximately up to 90psi, but still nothing. Is there a check valve there or am I barking up the wrong tree?
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Sunday, July 14th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FREEMBA
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,152 POSTS
The slow fill concern you are having is likely caused by one of the following:
Restricted vapor canister, kinked vapor hose or fuel vent valve failure.
Remove and inspect the carbon canister for a restriction or the presence of liquid fuel.
If the carbon canister is filled with liquid fuel, the vapor vent valves located on top of the fuel tank are defective and will need replacement.
If the carbon canister is dry, check for a bad canister vent solenoid or kinked vapor line or vent valve.
The vapor vent valves sit on top of the fuel tank and are designed to prevent liquid fuel from entering the evaporative emission lines which are routed to the carbon canister, which acts like a filter for the tank fumes. When the fuel tank gets full, the vapor vent valves block outlet flow and cause the building air pressure (due to incoming fuel) in the fuel tank to be forced out the filler neck. The air pressure causes the automatic shut-off of the pump handle to trip, stopping the flow of liquid fuel.
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Sunday, July 14th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FREEMBA
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Another thing to try (easier than the first one I suggested):

There is a rollover check (a plastic ball about the size of a ping pong ball) in the bottom of the fill tube to prevent gasoline from coming out of the tank when the vehicle is upside down. Most every vehicle has one. When this sticks closed, you will have this problem. Get a piece of 3/8" hard plastic tubing about 4' long and push it down the fill tube till it stops.
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Sunday, July 14th, 2019 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)

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