How to drain gas from boat for shipment?

scout5

Recruit
Joined
May 18, 2005
Messages
4
This seems to be a basic procedure but I am not to sure how to do it. I purchased a siphon (cheap) and tried it. I pushed the tube down as far as I could and I never hit gas. Where is all the gas? How long a tube do I need? Can I get to the gas any other way? The boat is being shipped and I want to lighten the load. Thanks
 

alden135

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 1, 2004
Messages
1,770
Re: How to drain gas from boat for shipment?

Welcome scout5 to the forums.<br /><br />I have one of those cheap siphon hoses and a lot of the time it just loops back into a coil in the tank so the end isn't in the fuel. How long a hose you'll need will depend on the boat. I ended up draining my tank with the primer bulb.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: How to drain gas from boat for shipment?

Boat topic.
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: How to drain gas from boat for shipment?

The problem with siphon hoses is that they retain the same curl in the tank as when they are stored. :rolleyes: <br /><br />
I ended up draining my tank with the primer bulb.<br />
I've done it this way too.
 

Mahoney

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
537
Re: How to drain gas from boat for shipment?

Not sure what kind of setup you have, but I am guessing you are trying to feed the siphon hose through the gas fill tube, you will never drain the gas this way. You need to attach to the barb comming from the gas tank itself utilizing the tanks feed tube to remove the gas.
 

Navigator

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 6, 2001
Messages
517
Re: How to drain gas from boat for shipment?

If you Tape the siphon hose to an old metal coat hanger (straightened out, taped with electrical tape all the way up the side of the tube), you can reach the bottom without any curling. It took me a while to figure out the obvious :D Low and behold, it actually worked !!!<br /><br />Nav :cool:
 

scout5

Recruit
Joined
May 18, 2005
Messages
4
Re: How to drain gas from boat for shipment?

The primer bulb "seems" to be the easiest.... Okay how do I do that? Do I just pull it off and squeeze? The boat is a 17" scout walk through with a OMC 115hp.
 

Brew2

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 12, 2004
Messages
427
Re: How to drain gas from boat for shipment?

Yup,<br /><br />Just disconnect the fuel hose from the motor and squeeze the primer bulb. <br /><br />I too went the cheap siphon route with little success before realizing that the primer bulb/fuel line was a built in siphon!!<br /><br />Good Luck!
 

KaGee

Admiral
Joined
Aug 14, 2004
Messages
7,069
Re: How to drain gas from boat for shipment?

Since nobody mentioned it... an empty fuel tank is MORE dangerous than a filled one.<br /><br />I know you are trying to lighten the load, but you are creating a whole new set of hazardous circumstances.
 

scout5

Recruit
Joined
May 18, 2005
Messages
4
Re: How to drain gas from boat for shipment?

I disconnected the hose from the engine and squeezed the primer bulb. I just get air....any suggestions? I am beginning to think all the gas evaporated.
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: How to drain gas from boat for shipment?

scout - Take the primer bulb off and blow through the fuel line. If you hear bubbles you have fuel in the tank. Use the fuel line as a siphon to get it out.
 
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