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Author
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Topic: Draining a fuel tank
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lonewolf
Journeyman Posts: 31
From: Greeley, Colorado
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 10-06-2003 12:14 AM
   
Hi All,I am gathering opinions on how to go about draining a fuel tank for removal. Normally, I just pull the drain plug, collect the fuel in an oil drain container and then dispose of it. Also, does anyone wash out the tank with something like rubbing alcohol before putting it in storage to remove residue, fumes, etc? After reading the horror story on KAR Mustang's web site (http://www.karmustang.com/fueltankfire.html), I am now wondering if there is a better way. Thanks, lonewolf ------------------
Lonewolf
1968 Coupe in Pieces
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 1746
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 10-06-2003 12:50 AM
I've done a few tanks in my time, and I always just drain them, then clean them out thoroughly with hi-octane gas, running it through a filter each time to remove the rust.
In fact, I'm soaking the inside of a '72 Stang tank in gas at the moment.
But after reading that article, I'm wondering myself how best to do this.
My feeling is that you've got to be damned unlucky to start a fire from vapor coming out of an empty gas tank. But it seems I could be wrong.
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johnmustang
Gearhead Posts: 4504
From: Vancouver Island , British Columbia , Canada
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 10-06-2003 02:26 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Fastback68:
My feeling is that you've got to be damned unlucky to start a fire from vapor coming out of an empty gas tank. But it seems I could be wrong.
The vapors are much more dangerous and volatile than if you had a bunch of gas in the tank, that is also dangerous but the vapors are deadly. ------------------
JOHN
65 2+2 FASTBACK
87 TAURUS WAGON
98 F150 XLT TRITON V8 4.6, 4 WHEEL DRIVE
Member:Vancouver Island Mustang Association
M&M #1710
MyPhotoPage
MY TRUCK
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 1746
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 10-06-2003 03:21 AM
You're right, John, except that if the tank is, to all intents and purposes, empty, how much of an explosion can you get?
Also - and this is a bit of an aside - I've done an experiment with old stinky gasoline. I've tossed a match into a cupful of it, and done everything else I can to get it to burn. Nothing. Of course, one should always assume it's highly flammable, but in practice, it CAN be dead as a dodo.
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 877
From: Lafayette, IN, USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 10-06-2003 11:06 AM
I just put my empty gas tank outside to let the stuff evaporate, after a couple of days took it a scrap metal guy with my old leaf springs and he gave me $0.90 for the lot...
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Hell_Fish
Gearhead Posts: 672
From: Austin, TX.
Registered: May 2002
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posted 10-06-2003 11:25 AM
Fastback68,
Your experiment will work the same with new gas. Fumes are explosive, so a tank with fumes is a bomb. That is why you can not ship used tanks anywhere.------------------
Dustin C
"The Mopar Guy!"
56 F-100
Mech. for wifes 69 Mustang coupe
65 Plymouth Barracuda
70 Dodge Swinger
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70SportsRoof
Gearhead Posts: 777
From: Phoenix, AZ
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 10-06-2003 01:10 PM
Fumes are very hard to remove from a tank. I have gas tanks from a few of my projects trucks still have gas fumes in them, even after 20 years of being drained. Try asking a radiator shop, some do tank repair, how they get the fumes out enough to do welding on the tank. ------------------
Gary M.
1946 Ford pickup
1946 Ford pickup
1957 Ford FL 500 Twn Vic
1970 Mustang SportsRoof
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horseballz
Gearhead Posts: 194
From: LasVegas,NV
Registered: Dec 99
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posted 10-06-2003 02:45 PM
Some folks actually fill a gas tank with water before welding a leak, after draining the fuel and thorough rinsing. Although I must add that I've heard stories of some whacko old timers that insist that it is safe to weld on or near a gas tank as long as it is completely full of gas   , but I would crtainly recommend against this. 
+++++++++++++
Gene------------------
'68 coupe
289/3speed out getting ready for paint and new 5.0/T5
'85 F150 Beater
300/Overdrive Stick
Pre-dented&scratched
'02 Ranger 4x4 Edge
'02 Miata
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Tea'sGrabber
Gearhead Posts: 189
From: Seattle, Wash.
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 10-06-2003 04:35 PM
Drain as much as you can. Let it sit (a couple days) with the vent and sending unit removed. Blow some compressed air in it.Put about 3 or 4 lbs of DRY ice in the tank. Plug the vent and put the sending unit back on(plugged). The dry ice is Co2 and will be enough to inert the tank.------------------
Todd 71 Mav Grabber All orig 306 cu.in. Cast Iron heads. Carillo Rods.Best et. 10.71 @ 124 thru the mufflers.
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/MembersPics/TeasGrabber.html
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Red65
Journeyman Posts: 87
From: Northglenn, CO, USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 10-06-2003 05:31 PM
I wouldn't do this on an automotive fuel tank, but we weld on gasoline pipelines and storage tanks on a fairly routine basis in the refining and pipeline industries. It's completely safe as long as there is sufficient liquid level to remove the heat and displace vapors. Vapors are the real threat (liquid never burns, its the vapors).
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mustangs68
Moderator Posts: 18183
From: Hampton,Virginia,USA MCA#39406 M&M #12
Registered: May 99
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posted 10-06-2003 05:51 PM
Tea'sGrabber has the correct method for purging a tank of volatile gases.Also instead of washing out the tank with Gas use Methanol.
Rubbing Alcohol or Isopropyl Alcohol will contain a percentage of Water (H2O).
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 1746
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 10-06-2003 09:33 PM
I stand totally corrected. I just discussed this with my welder buddy, who did a stint in Saudi Arabia. One of his colleagues was using a power wire brush to clean an old gas tank, and the tank exploded. I said, "What do you mean, it exploded? Was there like a puff of flame?" No, it exploded, like a bomb. "Oh, and was the guy OK?" No he was dead. Head blown clean off. 
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