How to Siphon Gas?

Tom

If you really want to see something truly nasty, check out abandoned POL storage tanks, preferably ones abandoned at least 20 years. Exploring around 10 years back in NW Ontario, came across an abandoned MNR firefighting base. Opened up one of the POL tanks and I swear, there was a new life form in there

It wasn't happy that I disturbed it, either

That has to be the absolute Darwin-dumb design I have ever heard of!

The military knows better than that so why would a civilian marine tank be designed with a problem built-in?

I have a couple of 500 litre diesel tanks at my hobby farm, the one tank is filled with #2 summer, the other tank with #1 winter. Each tank has a petcock at the opposite end from the pump flange - I use a hand pump.

I set it up so the tanks are sitting about 4 inches lower at the petcock end than the pump end. I drain about 4 litres out of each tank, every fall and every spring.

You probably wouldn't be surprised at the gunk I get out

 

It would still be good to learn why the OP wants to siphon fuel. There might be a better solution for his overall goal.

 

It's probably the price of gas, and he lives in a liberal tree-hugging neighborhood.

Tom

 

Here's the easiest way I know of....
1. Open the hood and look in the fuse block for the relay marked "C Opn" this is the circuit opening relay which directly powers the fuel pump. (This is a 12v system)
2. Next, remove the two 10mm bolts holding the small electrical box just to the right of the oil fill cap. Gently pull that box to the side and behind it, you will find the quick disconnect fitting for the fuel line.
3. Remove the plastic safety cover (it simply snaps in place) then squeeze the two tabs and pull the line loose. The steel line is the end that comes from the tank.
4. Connect a hose, (something that fits snug will do) then jump the switched side of the circuit opening relay and the car's fuel pump will do the work for you.

This is the same method we use for emptying tanks which have been filled with contaminated fuel (diesel, water, old gas, etc.) If you are concerned about contaminated fuel, drain the tank then add a couple of gallons of clean fuel and let it flush the system.

Good Luck!

 

I was on out of town on business and my wife (only driving for about one year filled the tank up with desiel fuel. It was only driven about 2 miles and I am trying to drain the tank.

It is a 2007. I can not find the Relay that you mention nor the fuel line that you spoke of can you give me a little more info? Thanks. Its a good thing that I love her.

 

For 2G, the circuit opening relay is part of an integrated module that is located in the main relay/fuse box next to the inverter. That module is marked with the letter C, and there are no fuses in it. It is next to another module marked with the letter B, which does have four fuses in it. The two integrated modules contain 8 relays total.

It's not obvious how you can remove module C so that you can bypass that relay to force the fuel pump to run. (The Classic had a separate circuit opening relay, so that would be easy to remove from its socket and place a paper clip across the switched relay terminals in the socket to force the fuel pump to run.)

Might be easier to look at the circuit diagram and figure out how to apply 12V to the circuit so that you can make the circuit opening relay close and power up the fuel pump. Of course you would have to be very careful not to damage the engine ECU.

Regarding the fuel line, you might need to remove the cowl running across the engine compartment (where the windshield wiper motor resides), for access to that. Or maybe you can access that if you just remove the relay box mounted to the cowl and the engine wiring harness bracket mounted to the valve cover.

Look for the fuel rail attached to the injectors, see how it runs between the engine and inverter to the back of the engine, then continue to work your way backwards until you find the quick disconnect fitting.

If you are interested in DIY, suggest you subscribe to techinfo.toyota.com and look at the electrical wiring diagram so that you can learn about the wiring harness connectors that lead to these integrated modules, and see whether you can DIY or not.

 

Thanks again for great instructions!!!

 

Just used this thread to drain bad fuel from my 2007 Prius. YT has a couple vids that show where to find fuel quick connect. Had some 5/16" ID tubing - fit perfectly. Used this diagram to id pins 3 (hot) &7 (ground) at fuel tank connector under left rear seat.


Using a 12V battery to energize pump, emptied full tank in about 20 minutes!

Thanks to all who post. Helps me keep my '07 running like a champ.