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Drain fuel without dropping the tank

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Thunderbucket2000, Feb 12, 2025.

  1. Feb 12, 2025 at 2:06 PM
    #1
    Thunderbucket2000

    Thunderbucket2000 [OP] Member

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    Is there a way to drain the tank without having to drop it? Maybe jump the fuel pump relay?

    I need to drain out some old gas, and I don’t have the time or resources to remove the bed. If I can maybe slip in a narrow siphon, or even jump the fuel pump relay, that would be great.

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Feb 12, 2025 at 2:20 PM
    #2
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    Undo the line at the fuel filter and then jump the relay.
     
  3. Feb 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
    #3
    MadNachos

    MadNachos Well-Known Member

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    You can certainly get a syphon in there.
     
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  4. Feb 12, 2025 at 2:57 PM
    #4
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

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    my motorcycle shops have a hand powered pump to drain fuel tanks......
     
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  5. Feb 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
    #5
    MadNachos

    MadNachos Well-Known Member

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    Good way to go, avoids possible spark by using electrical ones.
     
  6. Feb 12, 2025 at 3:23 PM
    #6
    Moonrman

    Moonrman Fix it and it will run

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    This is a Pic of the inside of the 18.5 gallon gas tank. That flapper cover on the end of the fill tube messed with me when I tried to put a siphon in there to get old gas out. Hence me pulling the tank while troubleshooting a tacoma that had very old gas in it. My 2 cents.

    20230322_215921.jpg

    I have pics of all my Tacoma repair adventures. It needed a cleaning and got a new fuel pump and sock.
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2025
  7. Feb 12, 2025 at 4:38 PM
    #7
    MadNachos

    MadNachos Well-Known Member

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    Dang.
     
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  8. Feb 12, 2025 at 10:17 PM
    #8
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

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    Well crapola

    Thanks Moonrman
    Learned something
     
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  9. Feb 12, 2025 at 10:23 PM
    #9
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

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    Remember the old days when there was a drain plug in tanks? WHAT AN AMAZING ENGINEERING IDEA…..ugh

    ok
    I’m on TN’s idea now

    In fact, I would much rather buy/install battery (worse case a starter too) than take off bed or drop tank

    disconnect fuel supply line/pull fuse and crank her till bad fuel out
     
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  10. Feb 13, 2025 at 9:28 AM
    #10
    Thunderbucket2000

    Thunderbucket2000 [OP] Member

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    I found this video online: https://youtu.be/ulErVVua244

    It looks pretty simple, but it seems like the picture you shared doesn’t have the same removable plate. I don’t know what mine has.
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2025
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  11. Feb 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM
    #11
    Moonrman

    Moonrman Fix it and it will run

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    IIRC, I could push it thru with some force but I could not get at the bulk of the fuel. ( to the good spot on the bottom in a low area of the tank ) I had a half of tank of gas and siphoned some but I think I was fighting with the tub that surrounds the foot print of the hanger assembly. And when I was yanking out the hose I knew something wasn't cooperating and i didnt want to break it. Yeah if you don't need to drop tank. I understand, I'm a common sense guy also but as you can see from pics my tank was bad and I didn't want that crap in my newly installed engine. Whatever works for you is best. Cheers
     
  12. Feb 13, 2025 at 12:03 PM
    #12
    Thunderbucket2000

    Thunderbucket2000 [OP] Member

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    Yeah, I feel the same about my engine. I haven’t seen the condition of the tank yet. I’m going to stick a bore scope in it and see if there’s much sludge/sediment.

    There’s only 69k miles on it. I just got it. I have to drive it 400-500 miles home, so I’ll probably just drain whatever I can and put a new filter on it, and deal with it when I get home.
     
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  13. Feb 13, 2025 at 12:08 PM
    #13
    mlcc

    mlcc Well-Known Member

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    If thats the inside of the tank I wouldn't even bother and replace the tank.
     
  14. Feb 13, 2025 at 12:15 PM
    #14
    Moonrman

    Moonrman Fix it and it will run

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    Whatever, if you want to spend an arm and a leg or get a aftermarket tank. Mine polished up beautiful with dawn dish soap and a pressure washer but to each his own.
     
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  15. Feb 13, 2025 at 12:23 PM
    #15
    Black97v6MT

    Black97v6MT 365k on the 0D0 ... 5VZFE R150F 4WD

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    28 years of livin' Gen1 TacoLife...
    Do you by chance have the part# for the filler neck tube that goes with your VIN
    I am very curious if my 97 is the same part with that little screen at the end inside the tank

     
  16. Feb 13, 2025 at 12:26 PM
    #16
    Moonrman

    Moonrman Fix it and it will run

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    I didn't replace anything on mine but the fuel pump and sock. So no sir. Sorry. I have the 2001 FSM but it does not have part numbers.
     
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  17. Feb 13, 2025 at 12:41 PM
    #17
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    2001-2002 Parts List

    upload_2025-2-13_15-40-39.png
     
  18. Feb 13, 2025 at 12:44 PM
    #18
    MGMDesertTaco

    MGMDesertTaco Come on, live a little...

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  19. Feb 13, 2025 at 12:50 PM
    #19
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    This shouldn't be that complicated.

    What engine do you have in your 1995?
    2.4, 2.7, or 3.4?

    Work smarter, not harder.

    If you give me the engine. I can probably provide a diagram of the fuse box and relay to jump.
     
  20. Feb 13, 2025 at 12:51 PM
    #20
    Speedytech7

    Speedytech7 Toyota Cult Ombudsman

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    It's less Tacoma and more mod
    Just take the plug off the top of the tank and use some alligator clips to a tool battery. That's how I drain the tanks. Slide a piece of 3/8 line over the output flare. The actual relay is up under the dash behind the steering column to the left, sucks to remove and to jump.
     

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