And to top it off he's talking about 20 cents a gallon.
Sometimes I shake my head and wonder why my wife does things but I remind myself that she's as smart or smarter than I am and she has her reasons. If I was concerned about the 20 cents I'd ask why she doesn't look around. Then I'd just accept the explanation. Even if it's just "I don't want to."
Hence my suggestion that he go out for donuts and coffee every Saturday morning while she sleeps in, take her car, and fill it up himself while he's out.
Hi, I wonder how much he saves doing that. Too cheap gas can cause trouble in cold winter. Hope he hs a fire extinguisher habdy while doing it. I fill my wife's car. We always fill up when tank goes half full in winter.
Under pressure. Very possible to spill gas in your garage. Lot of work and trouble to save a few bucks a month. I'd rather keep the car in tip top shape(tire pressure, air filter....) and try not to be lead foot.
Yes there is a fitting on the fuel rail. You need a special fitting to screw onto it to open the valve and get fuel out.
The fuel pump will NOT stay running constantly by just turning the key. It will turn on for a couple seconds and then shut off. You will be waiting about 30 minutes to transfer the gas. The pumps don't pump a lot of volume. It's a great way to burn out the pump.
Easier way is for YOU to buy a couple 5 gallon gas cans. Take them with you and fill them up on the way home. Top up the wifes car as needed. Also gives you gas on hand if YOU run low.
There are chemicals that you can add to the tank to prevent or greatly slow any degradation. And, you can fit it with a condensation trap to preclude moisture transfer. This plan could work if you have a place with enough land to keep the tank clear of the house.
Its a great way to to ruin fittings and set your car up for a future leak and fire, I would never mess with some kind of tap or valve off a pressurised fuel system near the motor. Car fires do occur from fuel leaks, your insurace co probably wont honor a claim with a tap put in after they inspect it.
I agree with others that what you are planning is not practical and may be dangerous. That said I installed a valve on my truck in the fuel line that I can open and it will let me draw gas from the truck. I have used this for lawnmower gas, helping a stranded motorist and lantern and generator fuel when camping. Since traded that truck in and the current model will shut down the fuel pump after a few seconds if the engine isnt started. I miss the old setup and have thought about just putting together a set of hoses with an external tank fuel pump that I can keep in my tool box.
I agree with others that what you are planning is not practical and may be dangerous. That said I installed a valve on my truck in the fuel line that I can open and it will let me draw gas from the truck. I have used this for lawnmower gas, helping a stranded motorist and lantern and generator fuel when camping. Since traded that truck in and the current model will shut down the fuel pump after a few seconds if the engine isnt started. I miss the old setup and have thought about just putting together a set of hoses with an external tank fuel pump that I can keep in my tool box.
Jimmie
******** It is done, and has been done, but is probably not the best of ideas.
Quite simply and demonstrably not true on two points. While the OP didn't mention the make/model on which he's considering doing this, many vehicles have quick disconnects (similar to the below) at the fuel rail that don't even require a tool for removal, i.e. simply squeeze together the Tabs (1.) and remove the line.
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Detail of nylon quick disconnect insert showing Tabs
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Jumpering two terminals on the fuel pump relay will allow the pump to run continuously (as it does on most applications while the engine is running) and under nearly no load conditions, would commonly pump the requested volume in certainly no greater than 15 minutes (e.g., see NapaOnLine.com Bosch pump p/n BSHN69223:delivers ~44 G/H @ 28 PSI)
However, for an issue easily (even given this minimal amount of effort) otherwise addressed, it is a genuinely dangerous enterprise.for such extremely limited returns.
Friend of mine has a Carter electric fuel pump screwed to a large board (to keep it from flopping around in use) with lengths of rubber fuel hose attached to it for just this purpose. Wired up with heavy zip cord with alligator clips so you can clamp onto the battery terminals of your car. Works great on older cars; utterly useless on a newer car with an anti-siphon baffle in the filler neck.
I was going to offer some suggestions but William Brammer stepped up to the plate and went 4-for-4 (we're waiting for an instant replay review of the fifth at-bat; whether it went fair or foul depends on how far, and which way, your wife drives). If I may summarize: you're going to some nontrivial expense and exposure to danger (if you must do this, "just outside the garage" is an excellent thought!) to save, in the big picture, not very much money.
We think of gasoline as fairly safe stuff, but it really isn't -- it just seems that way because we use some pretty specific technology, and safety rules, when storing and handling it.
re: "Jumpering two terminals on the fuel pump relay will allow the pump to run continuously (as it does on most applications while the engine is running)"
Or just *start* the car while you're tapped in to keep the pump running.
Let us know how the ECM deals with that!
BTW...You might want to consider opening the garage door also.
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