'19 GT - Draining fuel tank without dropping?

[Vettkilr]

Really long story short, I believe I have a bad batch of E85. Shortly after filling up at the normal station, the car sputtered and died, and refused to restart. Prior to it dying completely, the NGauge registered several cylinder misfires, etc. Given that nothing else has changed, I'm keen to remove this variable before I try anything more invasive.

Question is, being a relative direct-injection noob, what's the easiest way to empty the tank? Back in my pushrod days I'd just disconnect the fuel filter and let the intank pump it out. However given the pressure I understand is being run on these cars, I'm just guessing this isn't an option

So am I stuck with a siphoning contraption and go in through the filler tube? Dropping the tank would be a REAL PITA given that some of the custom exhaust is welded making a mess of things.

Appreciate any insight you guys may be able to offer.

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[Dadillac]

On older GM cars you would remove the fuel pump relay. Disconnect the fuel line and place it in the container. Then use a piece of wire and jump the relay leads. That will run the fuel pump and empty the tank through the fuel line. I would assume that our cars can be done the same way

Don

 

[kevinvan6000]

Message your tuner and see if they can get you a pump on tune - AED gave me one for cycling out E85/93 when i was switching tunes. It runs the pump with the engine off. Just disconnect the fuel line at the rail and run a line to a jerry can or bucket to flush out the fuel

 

[blind*guardian]

You can also get something like this:

Amazon.com: 12V Gasoline Transfer Pump/Siphon GasTapper UTV's, Boats, Equipment, Vehicles, Gas, Diesel - USA Built - Excellent Tool for Preppers: Automotive

Or perhaps any portable transfer pump and just insert the hose into the tank. You'll probably be able to remove 80-90% of the fuel that way. There are some cheap ones for $30-50 on Amazon and may work.

 

[boB]

Another option (more effort) is to remove the back seat to access and remove the fuel pump, then you can siphon the tank.

 

[ORRadtech]

Message your tuner and see if they can get you a pump on tune - AED gave me one for cycling out E85/93 when i was switching tunes. It runs the pump with the engine off. Just disconnect the fuel line at the rail and run a line to a jerry can or bucket to flush out the fuel

You can maybe just find the Schrader valve on the fuel rail, remove the valve and attach a hose to there. Then just jump the fuel pump relay. That should work fairly easily.

You can also get something like this:

Amazon.com: 12V Gasoline Transfer Pump/Siphon GasTapper UTV's, Boats, Equipment, Vehicles, Gas, Diesel - USA Built - Excellent Tool for Preppers: Automotive

Or perhaps any portable transfer pump and just insert the hose into the tank. You'll probably be able to remove 80-90% of the fuel that way. There are some cheap ones for $30-50 on Amazon and may work.

You have to be really careful trying to siphon thru the fill tube. Due to all the safety valves you can't just push soft hose into the tank anymore. You'll play hell getting it back out. From what I understand you have to use the special funnel, slide a hard tube into the tank then pass the actual suction tube thru the hard tube.

 

[NGOT8R]

Here’s what you need.

 

[Bluelightning]

You don't have to drop the tank. Just remove the rear seat, and pull the pump out.

 

[Vettkilr]

All - thanks for the quick and valuable feedback. Right now we're going the route of disconnecting the fuel rail, having Lund send us a "pump on" tune and seeing what we get. We have a fuel/octane test kit we're getting ready to test with - and will update this thread for future search purposes. Thanks all.

 

[Vettkilr]

So the winner is - 22-24%...bad gas (for supposedly e85). So far, the good news is after draining the fuel and about 15 miles of driving, all seems to be returning to normal.

Again, the best answer found for draining the tank was disconnecting the fuel rail on the passenger side, and if tuned, having the tuner provide a "pump only" tune. Takes maybe 6-7 mins for a full tank to drain. In our case, fill with 10gal of 93, water and injector cleaner additive. Then never buy from that particular gas station again.

Again, thanks all for the help.

 

[NGOT8R]

That doesn't look good at all. It looks like it’s trying to form those mystery goo balls in the test tube. Glad to hear that it’s clearing up for you since the tank drain. How many tanks of 93 and injector cleaner will you run through it before putting the car back on E85?

 

[Vettkilr]

How many tanks of 93 and injector cleaner will you run through it before putting the car back on E85?

It's headed back to college where e85 sources are somewhat limited, so instead of struggling with sourcing, will likely leave it on 93 for a few months to ensure it is sorted. Figured I'd run at least water reducer through it for the next 4 or 5 fill-ups.

 

[tal]

So the winner is - 22-24%...bad gas (for supposedly e85). So far, the good news is after draining the fuel and about 15 miles of driving, all seems to be returning to normal.

Again, the best answer found for draining the tank was disconnecting the fuel rail on the passenger side, and if tuned, having the tuner provide a "pump only" tune. Takes maybe 6-7 mins for a full tank to drain. In our case, fill with 10gal of 93, water and injector cleaner additive. Then never buy from that particular gas station again.

Again, thanks all for the help.

I'd like to drain my fuel tank from my 2016 Mustang GT that is stored now and like to only do this once so I don't want to purchase a fancy & pricey fuel drain kit.

I've got a tune in my car and I'll send a message to them for the pump only tune.

How did you drain the fuel? What parts do I need to use? I'm a noob at this so please give much detail as possible.

Thanks!

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