Hey guys, I need your expert opinion on something. My gas tank started leaking pretty bad lately, and I am going to drop it next week probably. My problem is I (of course) have almost a full tank, and was wondering if I should drive it around until its almost gone, or would that be too dangerous. It is not a strong leak, just dripping consistently. I know there is always a chance it could catch on fire from a spark, but is it that very likely? Also, are our tanks designed to not be able to siphon out gas?
Thanks for any insight.

 

There are too many variables involved as to whether something could happen. I wouldn't drive it. You can purchase a siphon pump quite easily to siphon out the gas through the neck. Or, you could siphon it down below where the leak is and not fill the tank past that UNTIL you can remove the tank. The other issue is that if its leaking at the inlet hose your out of luck. It wont matter how much gas is in your tank, it will still leak. Maybe you could try tightening the clamps if you can reach them. Any gas leak is potentially dangerous.

 

Don't bother getting a siphon pump. When you disconnect the hoses under the tank it will drain itself (just have some gas cans under there to catch it all). Don't remember which hose it is but I know it isn't the feed line, but when it is done you'll have about a gallon still in the tank and it'll be much easier to handle the tank then.

 

When I had to drop my tank, I just siphoned it with a piece of garden hose. I got a couple of mouthfulls of gas, but nothing major. Just make sure the end of the hose where the gas is coming out is lower than the lowest part of the tank, this will require the back of the car being raised up. As far as safety is concerned, when mine started leaking it was real slow at first and kept getting worse(what a surprise ),my wife kept telling me I was nuts for continuing to drive it. As it turned out, I took the back tires off for one reason or another when I was doing the tank(not required)and found that my brake pads on the side that was leaking gas were shot, so every time I was stepping on the brakes I was causing sparks and did not even realize it.

 

Thanks for the replies. I will try getting the gas out tomorrow. I always hear about recalls on gas tanks, but I don't think my year was included. Anyone hear different?

 

when i had to drain my tank i just disconnected the fuel line before the filter and sent 12V to the pump connection and let the pump drain it.