How should I remove old gas?

[Morpheus]

Ok so I'd like to pull some of the old gas (probably water) off the bottom of my fuel tank.

What's the best way (other then carefully) to pump off that fuel.

I was thinking of disconnecting the hose to the fuel shutoff motor and finding something to attach to it but I don't know what to get and when I take it off and reattach it do I need to do anything to the threads.

1. How do I get the old out?
2. What would I put this old fuel/water in?
3. How do I properly dispose of it?

My task for this 3 day weekend is:
1. Sand and repaint skeg
2. Change Oil/Filter
3. Change Drive Oil
4. Drain off bad gas
5. Change Spark Plugs
6. Change Impeller
7. Change Fuel Filter

Basically get the boat ready for about 2 weeks of boating all day long, so wish my luck it will be my first time trying all this myself, but looks like I'll save over $500 doing it myself.

 

[Woody]

Why do you feel the need to drain some gas?

 

[Morpheus]

because of the amount of time it has been sitting I'm worried there is alot of water speration going on and don't want to mess things up.

 

[Beer Thirty]

If its only been sitting through the winter i wouldn't even worry about it. It may run slightly rough until you refuel but i doubt it will be that noticeable.

Did you use any sort of fuel stabilizer before storing?

 

[Morpheus]

It's been about 6 months and I can't remember if I put Stabil in last time I put gas in or not. Normally if I'm gonna burn through it real quick I don't bother and if I remember correctly I was gonna burn it but I think something changes and I don't remember if I put it in after the fact.

 

[comsnark]

Pfft. Stop worrying. Go out and burn some fuel.

A few weeks ago, I got the highest speeds I ever observed on my boat burning 6 month old fuel. Tank was about 1/3 full.

 

[tdappleman]

I've never had to do it on my Sea Ray but on my Parker I used the opening where the fuel level sender is installed. Removing that gives me a 2" hole I can get a hose down into and siphon gas out with. Hopefully you don't have a full tank - but you can always siphon some out into a clear container and see what happens after it settles out. If it has sat in the same spot for 6 months with no fuel stabilization you most likely have some separation happening since E10 can start breaking down after only 30 days. I'd tow the boat on a short trip which would help stir the gas up and then drain a sample off when you get back. Let that sample settle for a couple of hours and see if you see the separation. If you don't see any then just run the boat as is and after this tank is done change your fuel filters. I wouldn't add any fresh fuel to it - just try to get through this tank first. If you do need to drain some out - you can always put it in lawnmowers, etc - my father in law puts it into his Suburban (44 gallon tank) and it seems to burn anything.

 

[hack4alivin]

If you want to get rid of the gas then bring it to my Marina and park it. I managed to “lose” 25 gallons from my starboard tank over the winter by magic??:huh:

 

[Lazy Daze]

Ok so I'd like to pull some of the old gas (probably water) off the bottom of my fuel tank.

What's the best way (other then carefully) to pump off that fuel.

I was thinking of disconnecting the hose to the fuel shutoff motor and finding something to attach to it but I don't know what to get and when I take it off and reattach it do I need to do anything to the threads.

1. How do I get the old out?
2. What would I put this old fuel/water in?
3. How do I properly dispose of it?

My task for this 3 day weekend is:
1. Sand and repaint skeg
2. Change Oil/Filter
3. Change Drive Oil
4. Drain off bad gas
5. Change Spark Plugs
6. Change Impeller
7. Change Fuel Filter

Basically get the boat ready for about 2 weeks of boating all day long, so wish my luck it will be my first time trying all this myself, but looks like I'll save over $500 doing it myself.

I agree with above recommendations to check your gas before you drain it all. There are numerous ways to drain. You could pull the fuel line off (after your pump) and simply use a jar to catch the fuel - turn your ignition key to "run" to activate the pump. Or, just siphon it. Do you have an outboard engine "primer bulb" laying around?

Take about 16oz out - into a clear jar. Let it sit overnight. You'll know if you have water, or not, when you look at it. If you need to take it all out, put it in portable gas tanks.

You can burn off the gas in your car or lawnmower. Just pour the good stuff off (the water will be at the bottom).

I recommend using Startron fuel treatment - fights phase separation.


Looks like you got a fun weekend ahead! Good luck with everything.

 

[vacabill]

If you have a compressor, disconnect the fuel line from your tank to the engine, add hose if you have to, so the fuel can go into a container, put tape over the vents, and seal your fuel inlet with duct tape around your compressor fitting and start pumping air into the tank, you can pump 5 gals in about a minute