I'd like to be able to easily drain fuel from my '92 F-150 in order to use the fuel in my generator and lawn mower. The truck gets very few miles and just sits there most of the year. I'd like to use its two tanks as backup fuel storage. I'd also like to periodically drain older gas and replace it with fresh.
Is there a drain kit or a simple T that I can put in the line somewhere, maybe near the fuel filter? Siphoning may be an option although I've tried a simple hand pump device without success. It just would not draw the fuel. I've successfully used a Flotec pump and a drill but this works only once, then the pump has to be replaced.
Siphoning is a good option. Restrictors and anti-siphoning baffles may be an issue, but if they arent get a jiggler siphon, or see below: I find myself draing fuel tanks quite often, my best way of pulling a vacuum for siphoning is with one of those squeeze bulb kerosene pumps and some rubber hose. There is 1 size hose that fits on the plastic pump inlet, and one that fits in. Both sizes are nice and snug, I use the smaller hose for gasoline and the larger for diesel.
If you are storing fuel for over 6 months, add fuel stabil.
I have 4 generators, and about 10 gas operated emergency water pumps. I add sta-bil and store them for 2 years at a time. its recommended for 1 year, but i never had an issue. After 2 years, I change the gas and run it in my pickup truck.
If you really wanted too, you could put an inline-T in the fuel line down on the frame rail after the pump, and then put a shut off valve after that on the outlet of the T, so that you can use the trucks fuel pump to pump the gas out for you.
Just make sure you buy a good reputable ball valve so that it seals, and wont leak, and use good hose clamps on the T-fitting. Then you can zip tie the valve to the frame and just cut the tie and pull it down when you want gas. And like the other gentleman said, use Stabil to keep the fuel fresh and from gumming up your system in the truck and equipment.
This is a workable solution. Ford uses those hard plastic lines, but you could find a tubing tee that would fit that. I actually cut and spliced one on time. The problem with this scheme is really the outlet valve. It's not really safe enough just to have a valve hanging there that's shut. You need to plug it off as well.
Another way that I've seen is to turn on the fuel pump (using the fuel pump test pigtail or whatever) and pump all the fuel out through the fuel rail pressure test connection. It's a schrader valve on most cars, but a Ford is a little different. My fuel pressure gauge has a pressure bleed on it that will do the job. You might prefer something a little bigger than that.
I thought about that too after I hit the send button.. LOL But that isnt that hard, cause they make plugs for vacuum lines and stuff, so you could feasibly fashion a plug out of a short piece of hose and a rubber vacuum plug to seal it up when not in use. Also that way you wouldnt have the outlet side of the valve open to get dirt and other crap in there. The thing I was thinking about here was that maybe the pump would create enough suction during the initial prime that it would keep flowing after the pcm kicked the pump off. I know there is a check valve to keep fuel from flowing out of the rail and back into the tank, but I dont know if it would restrict it enough that you would have to keep the fuel pump going to keep the flow moving. It would also require taking the gas cap off to allow for air to take up the space in the tank.
I thought about that too, but I was thinking more on the lines of volume instead of pressure. Plus it would almost require the engine running to do this, or jumper the fuel pump relay.
Basically what I would suggest, is keeping a couple of 5-10gal gas cans in the garage or shed (stabil added), and when you want to drive the truck, put just enough gas in to go where you need to, and when you want to use your other power tools, put the gas in that you need. To me that would be the easiest resolution to your conundrum...
Well in this scenario, you would just have to either jumper the fuel relay, or turn key on and let it run. Although I am not sure if the pump would shut off without seeing the actual engine run.
As a "Ford Tech" you should know the pump only runs for 3 seconds without oil pressure. And I don't think the engine would run with a gaping hole in the fuel line. Soooooooo, I guess jumpering the relay would be the only option. I would "opt" , as another reply suggested, to just keep some gas in a can for the small eq.
I think what I may do is pull the line off the rear of the fuel filter and jumper the relay to get the pumps to empty the tanks. I may do this once a year just to get the old gas out (or if I need gas for my generator).
"Jim G" wrote in news:e7851$45ba0d33$d066041d$ snipped-for-privacy@FUSE.NET:
to keep pump running without eng running = run 12v+ jumper to pink wire on inertia cutoff switch......to collect fuel from fuel rail without proper guage setup = purchase inner wheel air extension for dually setup ($5, NAPA) its about 8 inchs long and has same threads as fuel pres. test port on fuel rail. cut off 'male' end and splice as long a piece of
3/16" fuel line on as you want.............BTW: will need to remove valve core from pres. test port with normal valve core tool.
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.