Easiest way to drain gas tank?

[Trav83]

I want to pull out my fuel sending unit, but I need to drain the gas tank first, what's the quickest and easiest way to do this?

This is for a 1G fwd n/t. I read there is a drain plug to let the fuel out, but is that only for the awd models? because I couldn't find it on mine.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

It's on the front wheel drives too. I have a N/T gas tank and it is there in the center of the tank towards the rear. The drain bolt actually goes through the tank and secures the fuel pump to the bottom of the tank.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[BadMotiv]

Drill a hole in it

Is the car drivable? You can always just drive until its really really low on gas. I'd imagine you don't need to drain every last bit of gas out of it..

 

[Trav83]

It's on the front wheel drives too. I have a N/T gas tank and it is there in the center of the tank towards the rear. The drain bolt actually goes through the tank and secures the fuel pump to the bottom of the tank.

I must have just not looked hard enough, thanks. One question though, if I pull that drain plug out, it's not going to disturb the fuel pump is it? Because I don't need to pull the fuel pump out.

Drill a hole in it

Is the car drivable? You can always just drive until its really really low on gas. I'd imagine you don't need to drain every last bit of gas out of it..

yeah I already thought about that, but it's a bit inconvenient. I don't want to have to wait until it's almost empty to actually get started on this.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

I must have just not looked hard enough, thanks. One question though, if I pull that drain plug out, it's not going to disturb the fuel pump is it? Because I don't need to pull the fuel pump out.

No, it wont disturb the fuel pump. The tank will only need to be about half empty to pull the sending unit out. No pulling the pump out is a different story because like I said it is secured onto the bottom of the tank by the drain plug.

Just get the tank to about half full, jack up the rear, loosen the retaining straps (you won't have to take them all the way off), and pull the sending unit out (a few phillips head screws).

Hope this helps!

 

[Trav83]

No, it wont disturb the fuel pump. The tank will only need to be about half empty to pull the sending unit out. No pulling the pump out is a different story because like I said it is secured onto the bottom of the tank by the drain plug.

Just get the tank to about half full, jack up the rear, loosen the retaining straps (you won't have to take them all the way off), and pull the sending unit out (a few phillips head screws).

Hope this helps!

Ok good because I have about a quarter tank of gas right now AND I tried looking again, I could not find that drain plug anywhere! (photo of proof below)

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

...by the way if you could help me out with this thread as well fuel level sending unit question it would be greatly appreciated.. and don't worry I'll be tagging your posts as helpful

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

Ok good because I have about a quarter tank of gas right now AND I tried looking again, I could not find that drain plug anywhere! (photo of proof below)

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

...by the way if you could help me out with this thread as well fuel level sending unit question it would be greatly appreciated.. and don't worry I'll be tagging your posts as helpful

That's weird... I wonder if they did away with the drain plug after '91 I don't know.

 

[Trav83]

That's weird... I wonder if they did away with the drain plug after '91 I don't know.

At this point that's the only conclusion I can come up with, kind of dumb, it's a convenient feature to have

 

[BLINKY619]

lots of rust....

 

[Trav83]

lots of rust....

Says the guy who lives in California with the 1997 Eclipse

 

[crusada]

Drill a hole to put your ground wire on for your system. Sorry referencing to another post on here . But I do believe they did do away with that after 91 for safety purposes. If ## tank is down low enough you should just beable to drop it down use another jack and jack stands thats how i always drop tanks out.

 

[Trav83]

Drill a hole to put your ground wire on for your system. Sorry referencing to another post on here . But I do believe they did do away with that after 91 for safety purposes. If ## tank is down low enough you should just beable to drop it down use another jack and jack stands thats how i always drop tanks out.

Ha ha yeah I was just looking at that thread, gotta love previous owners. My gas gauge isn't reading right but first I think I am going to see if I can pop my gas gauge needle off and put it back on pointing at the 'F' next time I fill my tank up (if it can come off). Last time I only tried moving the needle with my hand, as I explained in my last post on this thread fuel level sending unit question.

If that doesn't work then I'll be pulling out the fuel sending unit and with your guy's helpful replies it shouldn't be too hard

I'll be sure to post updates..

 

[99vipereater]

I just disconnect my fuel line stick it In a gas can and lock the fuel pump on using dsm link. That way I don't have to get fuel on me

 

[crusada]

Well hope all goes well man and yea that made me laugh when i saw that. I gave him a few links to look at and advanced sells tanks.


Thats one heck of an idea man i never thought of doing that. +111111 on that idea

 

[Trav83]

I just disconnect my fuel line stick it In a gas can and lock the fuel pump on using dsm link. That way I don't have to get fuel on me

I read something like that on another thread, but I don't think you even need a DSM link

 

[HIGHPSI4]

There is a drain plug on the drivers side in the back corner.

 

[99vipereater]

I read something like that on another thread, but I don't think you even need a DSM link

You could probably find a way to make it pump fuel without but I have it so it makes it easy.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

You could probably find a way to make it pump fuel without but I have it so it makes it easy.

It's called the fuel pump test connector and is included on DSM wiring harnesses from the factory. It's located up on the firewall near the battery. Just apply 12 volts and the fuel pump turns on. But yes, clicking a button on dsmlink is much easier.

 

[Trav83]

Well I ended up not needing to drain or drop my gas tank, but at least next time I actually do need to I'll know how. Thanks for responses!

 

[TSIfreek]

I just disconnect my fuel line stick it In a gas can and lock the fuel pump on using dsm link. That way I don't have to get fuel on me

I just did this the other day and caused and engine fire. Never like that again.
Another way would be if you have AN fittings is to use a long hose with a AN fitting on it to the top of the fuel filter then turn the pump on.
Be very carefull hear as your right next to the batter so put something over the top of it to prevent a spark and make sure your battery connections are tight.
Also be prepared for a fire if one brakes out as this is were I went wrong I wasnt prepared and freaked out when the fire happened. Have at least a garden hose turned on ready by your side when working with fuel. Burns are the worst.
Again becarefull and be prepared.

It's called the fuel pump test connector and is included on DSM wiring harnesses from the factory. It's located up on the firewall near the battery. Just apply 12 volts and the fuel pump turns on. But yes, clicking a button on dsmlink is much easier.

becarefull again as this will cause a spark so dsm link is much safer.

 

[99vipereater]

I just did this the other day and caused and engine fire. Never like that again.
Another way would be if you have AN fittings is to use a long hose with a AN fitting on it to the top of the fuel filter then turn the pump on.
Be very carefull hear as your right next to the batter so put something over the top of it to prevent a spark and make sure your battery connections are tight.
Also be prepared for a fire if one brakes out as this is were I went wrong I wasnt prepared and freaked out when the fire happened. Have at least a garden hose turned on ready by your side when working with fuel. Burns are the worst.
Again becarefull and be prepared.



becarefull again as this will cause a spark so dsm link is much safer.

Oh well I was talking about under the car where it connects to the hard line I wouldn't do it up in the engine bay especially if the car was hot or the negative wasn't disconnected.

 

[TSIfreek]

Oh well I was talking about under the car where it connects to the hard line I wouldn't do it up in the engine bay especially if the car was hot or the negative wasn't disconnected.

next time I do it it will be from the hard line coming out of the fuel sender at the tank or I will drain it with unscrewing the factory drain on the bottom of the tank.

 

[99vipereater]

next time I do it it will be from the hard line coming out of the fuel sender at the tank or I will drain it with unscrewing the factory drain on the bottom of the tank.

Yeah thats where I did it is back under the tank I don't think 2g's have a drain plug and I didn't like the idea of a slow syphon pump. Sorry to hear about your misshap. How much damage?

 

[Gs Dewd]

Well I ended up not needing drain or drop my gas tank, but at least next time I actually do have to do this I'll know how. Thanks for responses!

I didn't have to drain or loosen/drop the tank in my 94' GS when I swapped in the walbro pump. Just removed the screws holding the sender/pump assy. in. Then wiggled it out.

 

[dikdiamond]

If a gas tank doesn't have a drain plug,go to Harbor Freight and buy a simple siphon pump. Cheap and easy,it may only work once(gas may eat out the seals)but well worth as they are inexpensive.