Old fuel in gas tank being removed

[Kent K.]

What should a responsible person do with old fuel in a gas tank slated for removal? Also, what is the easiest method to drain the old fuel into, say, a lawn equipment gas container? I don't have a lift yet, so please point your responses in directions for methods used without a lift.
Thanks for your help, Kent #6201

[Jim Tipton]

Re: Old fuel in gas tank being removed

I just drained the tank on my 73, First I jacked up the rear of the car,then, place a clamp or vice grip onto the fuel line,cut the old fuel line near the sending unit, (you can disconnect it if not in need of replacement, have a rag ready to catch a small amount of fuel that will drain from the engine side and place the tank side of the hose in a catch can, gas can, or as I used, old 2 liter bottles so I could monitor the condition of the old fuel. As your bottle, or can gets full, simply tighten the clamp or vice grip before it over flows. Switch bottles and continue. This will remove all the fuel but the last couple of inches. I was removing the tank for restoration of the rear area so I then simply removed the tank and drained the remainder. IT WAS A GOOD THING TO, AS IT TURNS OUT THOSE LAST COUPLE INCHES WERE ABOUT 90% WATER!!!! THUS MY KNOWLEDGE OF THE SLUGGISH AND HESITATING C3.

If the gas is not suspect the manual calls for the 10ft siphon method.Good luck!! As for disposal, any good remaining gas is slated for the old beater truck or lawn mower. To seperate the two, just poke a hole in the bottom of the bottle, drain the water out and into a can, when you get to the $3.00/gallon gas just put you finger over the hole and pour the gas into the mower. As for the tainted gas/water Hmmm......I'm still searching but drive way weed killer comes to mind.

[Eugene B.]

Re: Old fuel in gas tank being removed

Kent,
When I was working on an old motorcycle, I had "bad gas" that I wanted to get rid of in a responsible manner.

I called my local fire department and asked them for their recommendations. The deputy chief referred me to a chemical recycler in my area. I took the old gas to them and it was accepted and disposed of responsibly. The recycler also takes old anti-freeze, etc.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Gene

[Gary C.]

Re: Old fuel in gas tank being removed

Hi Kent

I assume you mean removal while the tank is still in the car. This was my solution.

Went to autozone, purchased the least expensive generic electric fuel pump they owned, and some tubing. "Mounted" it inside a cardboard box along with a 12V battery (a lawn tractor discard). You might have to make up something to keep the pick up hose rigid and straight (straighten out a coat hanger and fix the hose to it) but it makes a nice little vaccum pump, and will suck your tank dry.

[Christopher R.]

Re: Old fuel in gas tank being removed

1. Unless it's really bad, pour a gallon or 2 at a time in your regular car. Mixed with a mostly full tank of good gas, your car won't mind.

2. Call your town. Many towns have a hazardous waste collection day. Or, they might be able to recommend something.

Don't burn it. Can't be done safely.

Don't dump it. They catch you, and they'll take your house away.

[Kent K.]

Re: Old fuel in gas tank being removed

Many thanks go to Jim, Gene, Gary & Chris for your suggestions. There is water in the gas, hence the requirement to replace the original gas tank which has grown a cruddy surface above the liquid and the original gas cap bottom is ruined. This was all caused by leaving the car outside in Florida rains with a car cover on and a plugged cas boot drain prior to my purchase. I am partially to blame because I didn't clean the tank and moisture prior to storing the car inside for 2 years. Shame, shame, shame.

My wife's lawn equipment is John Deere ... no old gas goes in it. Maybe I'll try Chris's suggestion regarding local municipality contact for hazaderdous waste disposal. The gas-water mix is probably 3 years old. I just couldn't see putting any of it in the old '94 beater truck I've had since new.

Thanks, Kent #6201

[Chuck R.]

Re: Old fuel in gas tank being removed

Stick a syphon hose to the bottom of the tank and start draining into a clear container. The water will be the first to hit the container and then when you start picking up fuel, there will appear a clear separation in the fluids.

Take the watered material to your nearest disposal site and infuse the remaining "strained" fuel into your 94.

Unless your saying you have fifteen gallons of water in the tank, this should save you on the amount of product you have to pay to dispose of.

Good luck,

Chuck 32205

[Kent K.]

Re: Old fuel in gas tank being removed

Thanks for your suggestion Chuck. I have an old water level that won't miss a few feet of tubing that I'll use to siphon off most of the liquid. There may be enough water to fill two or three clear 2-liter soda bottles. If the gas is still usable, at $3/gallon, we'll put it to a good use.
Kent #6201