Fuel tank drain valve ???

[Fireman]

I've been having a problem with water in my fuel, LOTS of water ! It's a real pain to drop the tank to get it out, so I am considering a low point drain valve on the fuel tank. Who thinks this is a good idea ? Who thinks it isn't ? and Why ?



I was considering using a Fumoto oil drain valve. Any opinions on that ? Any suggestions on other types of valves that could be used ?



Any other helpful hints or advice would be appreciated.



Fireman

 

[Dean Upson]

Fireman,



I think that you could be asking for another new batch of potential problems by putting a hole in the bottom of your tank.



Dean

 

[JohnnyH]

I think you should get to the bottom of your problem. By preventing the water from getting in there, you take care of the problem. What is it that is causing water to get into your tank.

 

[Dean Upson]

The only ways that the water can get in there that come to mind are:



1. (most likely) Fuel source.



2. Vandalism.



3. The much-discussed useless fittings (2) on the top of the gasser tank. Fireman told me about the threads on these and they are easily fixed in about 10 minutes with some 1/4" fuel line.



Dean

 

[LightmanE300]

I agree. I would not put a hole in your fuel tank, and would work on discovering where the water is coming in from.



I have fumoto oil drain valves on 3 vehicles and they are fantastic. FOR OIL!!

 

[dclassens]

I also agree, fix the water problem and you should not have to ever drain the fuel again. Good luck any ways, being a mechanic I know how much fun it is to drop/drain fuel tanks. Those jobs makes the significant other stay away for weeks while one smells like petroleum products.

 

[Fireman]

After more consideration......

I have decided to go a different route. There is an auxillary fuel pick up on top of the tank, the problem is that it only goes down to the same level as the regular pick up. So you can use a vacuum pump to drain the tank, but you still can't get that last 2" at the bottom (where the water lives). After more thought, I may take a short piece of fuel line and extend it down nearer to the bottom of the tank. It would be more trouble to remove water this way, but there would be less potential for problems. I don't entirely agree that once you get the water out that the problem is solved, if it happens once it could easily happen again. One fill up at the wrong place and you have problems again. Call me parinoid I don't care. This has been one royal pain, and I don't want to go through it again, nor do I want to have to pay for a new injection pump, injectors, etc.



Well thanks for the replies, I'll let you know how it goes.



Fireman

 

[DDT]

In case you need it. John Deere sediment bowl off a 4400 compact tractor. If the line is big enough to match. There is a red ring that seperates the water from fuel. and easy to drain. Could hook it into the line between the tank and filter /pump. I never had water in the fuel yet. You may be filling up at the wrong place.