vacuum cleaner to add pusher pump?

[lmills]

I had a friend suggest that I hook my shop vac up to my fuel tank to create a vacuum to hold the fuel in while I cut the feed line to do the install. The reason being is because I now have a full tank. I don't want to get showered with #2. I did a search and came up with some pretty funny vacuum cleaner topics, but none on this line of the subject. Do you think it is worth trying?

 

[LSMITH]

It works to hold the oil in the pan while you take the drain plug out, but I am not optimistic about a full tank of fuel. That is a LOT of weight to hold with a vaccum. It is worth a shot though. Gas fumes would be pretty dangerous, diesel should be more tolerant of static. Even still I would not use a vaccum that I really like:-laf :-laf It could go BOOM on you if everything was just right.



If you take a good suction on the tank with the vaccum the plastic tank might start to crush, not sure if this would be a problem or not.



I think I would just try to plug the filler neck up well and hope it stemmed the flow well enough I did not get drenched. Maybe silicone a small flat piece of plastic to the filler neck rim?



Don't think I helped with your question, but at least hope I gave you some things to think about.

 

[lmills]

oh yeah, I pulled up the old thread about gas fumes and a vacuum. I could see the old vac bursting into flames from gasoline.

 

[illflem]

I would think that if you block off the tank vents it would have the same effect as a vacuum cleaner. Sort of like picking up water with your finger on the end of a straw. Put a plastic bag over the fill hole and screw the cap back on, it probably doesn't need to be tight. Use some electrical tape to block the vent on top of the tank module.



Or (easy way) just disconnect the fuel line quick connect on top of the tank by squeezeing the tabs and pulling out.

 

[docdyno]

Don't do it

If, during your vacuuming, the correct temperature and air mixtures are achieved, you will develop a stoichiometric mixture. That is: Just the right mixture of air and fuel at the correct temperature for combustion. A spark from your vac motor and ..... It may be hard to control. Picture the flame in an oil furnace.

 

[TomGolden]

I've mounted, removed and then remounted my pusher pump so far this year, so I've had to contend with this issue 3 times. Here's what I have done that works pretty well.



1. Open your fuel door and cap!

2. Get hold of an air compressor, get 60 - 80 PSI in it, and a blower nozzle that will fit inside the 3/8" fuel line. Take this under the truck with you.

2 1/2. (forgot this step) I take one of those 4 quart automobile oil change pans under with me, to catch the few ounces of fuel that

will of course drain from the engine side of the cut line. One of those flat pans balances well on your chest while your hands are

busy with the operation in step 4.

3. by whatever means, cut into the fuel line.

4. As fast as you can, get the air nozzle into the line and using the air pressure, blow the fuel back into the tank.

5. Blow for at least 20 - 30 seconds, just to make sure you get all the fuel out of the line.

6. Do whatever you are going to do... ... .

7. After the fuel system is all back together, do the starter bump at least 4 - 6 times. DO NOT TRY to actually start the engine! The

starter bumping thing ensures that you get the fuel line fully charged with fuel and not air. I have never had a problem getting

air bound doing it this way.



One other hint... I installed a 3/8" ball valve on both sides of my pusher pump when I did it the first time. That way, I can do a quick pump change without taking any more diesel baths



Tom

 

[lmills]

that sounds safer. I was going to wait till it was low on fuel now anyway. if I get around to it tomorrow, I will try the compressor.

 

[A Johnson]

DONT DO THE VACCUM CLEANER IDEA!!!

This used to be standard practice at Cummins Northwest years ago. Then one day it went BOOM! I wasn't there but I bet the guy had a really Daffy Duck look.



A Johnson

 

[lmills]

I am jsut going to do the add on this weekend. I should be around a 1/4 of a tank by then. I can't believe it. Any other time it seems like the fuel is draining out of the tank at night. Now that I want the tank empty, it's taking forever. I have the pump mounted and wired up, I just haven't hooked the power to it yet. All I have to do is hook the power up and cut the fuel line.