Need help again

[clevemech]

You all have been so helpful so far I need some more advice.

I need to know the easiest way to drain my gas tank. I have to drop it to repair a hole in the top and while I am at it I am going to replace the fuel pump. It has a full compliment of gas and I can't seem to figure out the best way to drain it. My brain doesn't seem to wanna comprehend the task at hand. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[Mark_88]

disconnect the fuel line at the front of the truck, attach a long hose to run to a gas can, let the pump do the work for you...unless it's totally baffed...then you can always get a jiggle hose and siphon it off that way...just takes longer

 

[clevemech]

I'll explain a little more the reason I need to drain it is because I have a hole on the top of the tank and when the truck is running the gas soots out of the hole and all over the ground. If I took the gas cap off do you think it would work the way you said to do it without losing the gas through the hole?

 

[Mark_88]

Not sure, guess depends on why it's shooting out of the hole in the first place...like you've got a major leak in a line or something...in that case I'd just siphon it off...

You can buy one of those jiggle hoses that siphon just by jiggling the hose, or you can spend a bit more and get an electric fuel pump...I bought an el cheapo pump siphon that actually works really well...just a few quick squeezes of the bulb on it and the gas starts flowing (as long as it's going to a location below the tank level)...on a full tank it might take a few minutes, but it will get it out of the tank so you can lower it...

Make sure you put the cap back on before you actually drop the tank though...they can be dangerous if you're not careful...

 

[slolearner]

dropping tank

Remove the truck bed,safer and easier. Wife and I did it alone. It is not very heavy and you can prop it up on an angle and access your tank and fuel pump. Six bed bolts and three screws on the filler neck and remove cap and just lift.

 

[4b316]

Agree,just take the box off or at least prop it up on one side.You should have a plastic tank so it sounds like you have a hole in the line.Just unscrew the retaining ring and change the whole thing.Usaually a line rusted thur.I have a couple for sale if you can't find a used one around you.New is pretty costly.

 

[Mark_88]

Yep...shoulda mentioned that but I refrained since it's not all that easy to remove the bolts sometimes...but it is the best way to work on the top end of the tank...you might need a hand with the bolts though...sometimes they're easy to remove though so give it a shot if you've got a 55 Torx socket...or was it a 50...some are different for some reason...and borrow a Johnson bar if you can find one...better leverage...