How to drain gas - bad pump
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 492
Likes: 1
How to drain gas - bad pump
Usually when I drain a gas tank, I use the fuel pump to pump it all out. Long story short, my fuel pump is bad, so that's not an option. Both tanks are 100% full too. Are there any other more controllable options to drain the tank/tanks to pull the pump out aside from slowly unbolting the pump housing and letting it spill out slowly? Ideas?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Use this and you will never have an issue! 
Same one I use 
http://www.racetronix.biz/itemdesc.a...FDK-C5&eq=&Tp=
Thanks,Matt
Same one I use http://www.racetronix.biz/itemdesc.a...FDK-C5&eq=&Tp=
Thanks,Matt
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 492
Likes: 1
JR- I tried a pump like that and could not get the hose more than about 12" in. There's a pretty sharp 90 degreeish angle I couldn't get the hose to advance past.
Madmatt-that may work IF the fuel pump (which also happens to be racetronix) actually worked, but the pump failed and is the reason I need to drain all the fuel to replace it.
Madmatt-that may work IF the fuel pump (which also happens to be racetronix) actually worked, but the pump failed and is the reason I need to drain all the fuel to replace it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
I think your best option is to lift the pump and sender unit up enough to get a pump hose in so you can remove the fuel. The passenger side will not be emptied but that should not be an issue, it should just stay there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 492
Likes: 1
Th pump is on the rear of the driver side tank, not the top, so unbolting the housing at all will result in fuel pouring out all over the tank/bottom of the car/garage floor. I believe that's how I'm going to have to do it, but there's really no point in trying to get a siphon hose in that way since fuel would be spilling out out completely anyways.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 492
Likes: 1
About 1500. It was the racetronix pump. Now having said that, I need to pull it out still to confirm it actually was the pump that failed. There's a slim chance it may have been the 2" of wiring from the pump plug to the pump rather than the pump itself. You can see in the plug its burnt up a bit around the + terminal, so we'll see what it was, the pump or that small section of wire.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
About 1500. It was the racetronix pump. Now having said that, I need to pull it out still to confirm it actually was the pump that failed. There's a slim chance it may have been the 2" of wiring from the pump plug to the pump rather than the pump itself. You can see in the plug its burnt up a bit around the + terminal, so we'll see what it was, the pump or that small section of wire.
Why don't you try to remove the pump discharge line and see if it will drain for you. Not sure what your pump internal design is but either it will or will not.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
I just looked at the FSM and it shows (OEM Design) if you disconnect the pump outlet you can use a pump to drain the tank.
I can send you a PDF of the instructions if you like. Just PM me with your email. I am sure the instructions for all years is the same except for late half 03 and 04 due to the redesign. I can provide you with your exact year since I have them all.
I guess the only other option might be to remove the filler tube so the tank entry is accessible. Maybe you can get a feed into the tank that way. I can provide any info in that approach if you need it. Might have to tie a string to the end of the tube so you can pull on it and make it turn and go into the tank. Just a thought.
Either way, please disconnect your battery so there are no powered circuits in case you have gas fumes which you probably will.
I can send you a PDF of the instructions if you like. Just PM me with your email. I am sure the instructions for all years is the same except for late half 03 and 04 due to the redesign. I can provide you with your exact year since I have them all.
I guess the only other option might be to remove the filler tube so the tank entry is accessible. Maybe you can get a feed into the tank that way. I can provide any info in that approach if you need it. Might have to tie a string to the end of the tube so you can pull on it and make it turn and go into the tank. Just a thought.
Either way, please disconnect your battery so there are no powered circuits in case you have gas fumes which you probably will.