How to drain my tank

[71swb4x4]

My Blazer sat in a heated shop for 15 years. I would like to drain the tank without removing it. I have tried to run a 3/8" line down the fill spout but something is catching it near the top of the tank. I have tried starting a siphon from the steel line at the front of the Blazer (going to the fuel pump) but I can't get that going either, I think it's too far to pull it.
I wish I had an electric pump to hook up to this front line.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

My Blazer sat in a heated shop for 15 years. I would like to drain the tank without removing it. I have tried to run a 3/8" line down the fill spout but something is catching it near the top of the tank. I have tried starting a siphon from the steel line at the front of the Blazer (going to the fuel pump) but I can't get that going either, I think it's too far to pull it.
I wish I had an electric pump to hook up to this front line.

isn't there a section of rubber hose1/2 way down the fuel line on the passenger side, maybe you could disconnect there and let gravity help you

[71swb4x4]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

isn't there a section of rubber hose1/2 way down the fuel line on the passenger side, maybe you could disconnect there and let gravity help you

I will check that out.

[87Skier]

You could also draw through the fuel tank pickup. Depending on the condition of the fuel you may need to clean the tank, replace the sock, and clean the fuel sender. Mine sat for 17 years and my tank was garbage. Hope yours is better.

[71swb4x4]

The tank could be bad, but I would prefer to take this one step at a time. Siphon the tank empty, add 5 gallons of fresh gas and siphon dry again. Then add 5 gallons of fresh fuel and a clear inline fuel filter and see what we are sucking through it.

[raggedjim]

If you are going to siphon it out you can drop it while it's empty. I dropped mine this spring to replace the sending unit. It wasn't that bad. It will have more rust than you expect.

I had to siphon by removing the hose between the tank and the filler neck.

Rg

[cdowns]

you can use pressure to the gas filler neck to get the junk out me i'd use 15-20 lbs at most

[71swb4x4]

Originally Posted by cdowns

you can use pressure to the gas filler neck to get the junk out me i'd use 15-20 lbs at most

I considered this but really hate to put too much in and mess something up. I need to check the regulator on my compressor, if it goes down to 15 psi I might give it a try.

[cleszkie]

You answered your own question. Get an electric pump, hook it to you fuel line and pump the old gas into a bucket.

[68panelman]

^ exactly, cheapest fuel pump with cans a ready!

[kwmech]

I recently had a similar problem with a dirty tank and dirty fuel. Get it over it trying to do it 'cheap'. Prepare to pull the tank and have it cleaned out and epoxy coated. I drained my tank and did a refill. The fresh fuel loosened up the "varnish" in the bottom of the tank and even with 2 fuel filters it managed to get through and messed up the carb. I pulled the carb to rebuild.....again.... only to find that the fuel had also coated the intake and runners into the heads. Now I had to pull the intake to have that cleaned out also. Do yourself a favor and just do it right the first time, I learned the hard way, and my tank only sat for 3 years

[87Skier]

Originally Posted by kwmech

I recently had a similar problem with a dirty tank and dirty fuel. Get it over it trying to do it 'cheap'. Prepare to pull the tank and have it cleaned out and epoxy coated. I drained my tank and did a refill. The fresh fuel loosened up the "varnish" in the bottom of the tank and even with 2 fuel filters it managed to get through and messed up the carb. I pulled the carb to rebuild.....again.... only to find that the fuel had also coated the intake and runners into the heads. Now I had to pull the intake to have that cleaned out also. Do yourself a favor and just do it right the first time, I learned the hard way, and my tank only sat for 3 years

x2. I had a similar experience. I would say if you open the gas cap and it smells like varnish, pull the tank.

[chastain90]

Its super easy to drop and if its heavy with fuel just put a floor jack under it with a piece of plywood and ease it down. I dropped mine and had it boiled and lined it with por 15 tank sealer. Really helps get the rust out and keep it out. And you can go ahead and take compressed air and blow all the lines out while the tank is out. Really worth it to get all the junk out of the tank and lines. JMO.

[vancelot69]

I removed the rubber filler hose from the curved neck on the tank then ran my siphon hose into the tank from there and was able to drain it no problem.