1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Siphon gas out.

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Alen Kalati, Oct 20, 2017.

  1. Alen Kalati

    Alen Kalati Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2014
    32
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Hi all.
    sometimes wife is filling the tank up, and I end up not using it for months. Is there a way to siphon gas out and put it in my other regular Prius?
    Thanks,
     
    Tracksyde likes this.
  2. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2016
    6,058
    5,783
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Did you want to do this merely because you're worried about the gas becoming old and causing drivability problems?
    If so, I'm not sure that is really a problem any longer with fuels. My wife recently inherited a vehicle that sat unused for about 18 months. I installed a new battery and it fired right up. My wife's friend stored a PT Cruiser at our house for even longer. Same thing, it never was started from the day she dropped it off. Installed a new battery and it fired right up.
     
  3. Alen Kalati

    Alen Kalati Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2014
    32
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Thanks for your reply. No, not issues like the car won't turn on - more like it affecting performance / gunk buildup etc.
    Also, in some situations instead of going to fill up the other car (Or the lawnmower) it would be easy to just siphon a few gallons out of the pip. But I'm not sure if it can be done...
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    your fine for at least 6 months. ask your wife not to add any gas.
     
  5. jfschultz

    jfschultz Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2004
    635
    114
    0
    Location:
    Germantown, TN
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    While I am more comfortable with filling up about every three months, the manual does say to go through at least half a tank every six months.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,478
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I think modern gas tank filler necks are VERY well protected against siphoning. I would take the path of least resistance: just use the gas. Regardless of the temptation to keep engine use to absolute mininum, maybe intentionally avoid charging the car sometimes, enough to run through a tank every couple of months? Probably good for the engine to avoid long stretches without use.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    mendel, that's heresy!:eek:
     
    jerrymildred and Mendel Leisk like this.
  8. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Whoah! Flashback to another thread. :D
     
    bisco and Mendel Leisk like this.
  9. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2004
    4,365
    3,209
    1
    Location:
    Madison, Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You will not be able to siphon.

    There is a way to get out the fuel but it is not a simple task. I would avoid doing it if possible.

    Disconnect fuel line under the hood and attach a rubber hose. WARNING. Fuel line is pressurized at 42psi.

    This can be messy and dangerous if you are not careful. Wear safety equipment. Protect your eyes and face. Do it when the engine and exhaust is cold.

    Energize the fuel tank pump and pump it out.

    I've had to do this with various customer cars over the years. Latest one was a Prius that got filled with diesel fuel.
     
    Tracksyde likes this.
  10. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,309
    3,586
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    As above, very hard to siphon these days. You could use Stabil or something
     
    WilDavis likes this.
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,478
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Hear all the disclaimers?

    In other words, done for good reason. Operative phrase: "had to do this".

    For any more trivial reason, say maintaining your high Fuelly status, fugedaboutit: use it.
     
  12. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2004
    4,365
    3,209
    1
    Location:
    Madison, Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Usual reason I have to do this is for cars that have been sitting unused for a long time ... as in 2 or 3 years.
     
    jerrymildred and Mendel Leisk like this.
  13. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    2,732
    1,703
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    For the PiP, the cost of Stabil plus gas is likely going to exceed electricity. I would echo others and suggest using the gas by pressing the HV button.
     
  14. giora

    giora Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2010
    1,966
    729
    0
    Location:
    Herzliya, Israel. Car: Euro version GLI
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    For quite a while now, I am filling about half tank only.
    Side benefit: saving about 20-22 lb of dead-weight...
     
  15. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2011
    6,972
    3,209
    1
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    The PiP tank is pressurized to prolong the life of the gas. That's why you push the button and wait 'til the car says it's ok to fill.
     
  16. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Which, on my car, happens faster than I can release the button. :D