Archived water in fuel

[Jdbright]

I somehow pumped a slug of water in my tank. what is a good way to drain the tank? I need to drop the tank anyways, my fuel gauge quit working, and now my tank capacity seems to have dropped to 5 gallons.

 

[JLandry]

Welcome to the forum. Please fill out your profile and signature so we know what year and model truck you have.



If you have a lot of fuel in the tank, the best way will likely be using a siphon pump available at marine supply stores and places like Harbor Freight Tools.



Best regards,



John L.

 

[Jdbright]

I thought I did fill out the profile, I guess I have to figure out how to use these posts better. Yes, unfortunately, the tank is full, That's how I figured out something is wrong inside when it only took five gallons to fill it. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[BGlidewell]

on my truck you disconnect the filler and vent hoses, place a floor jack with a long board for support under the tank, loosen the straps all the way to just coming off, disconnect the lines from the pump, free the tank and ease it down.



(done it more than once)

 

[Jdbright]

I'll try the floor jack idea, then I won't have to worry about draining it. thanks.

 

[JLandry]

I'll try the floor jack idea, then I won't have to worry about draining it. thanks.

Trying to lower a full tank of fuel by any method might not be such a great idea...

A full tank of fuel could weigh as much as 300 pounds!

It would be safest to drain it to 1/4 tank or less (preferably much less) to make handling it more manageable.

A couple of ratchet straps (one near each end of the tank) along with a floor jack can be handy for helping to raise the tank back into position when working alone.

John L.

 

[Sticks]

Don't forget the sending unit wires!!

Might be a good time to upgrade to the in-tank pump (cheaper than the OEM sending unit) in addition to your block mounted pump.

 

[JLandry]

Might be a good time to upgrade to the in-tank pump (cheaper than the OEM sending unit) in addition to your block mounted pump.

Sticks,



You're confusing me...



A new genuine Mopar sending unit (part number 4897669AB) is only $56 at Mopar Parts America.



A new in-tank pump module is well over $300, not to mention what a POS it is, and a HUGE hassle to replace when it eventually fails. A lift pump mounted on the frame rail just in front of the tank makes much more sense.



Tell me I'm missing something!



John L.

 

[HBarlow]

To the original poster, if your truck is a Gen II with a block mounted fuel transfer pump and filter you can use the transfer pump to empty the tank by removing a fuel line after the pump.

I think I'd do that before risking injury or damage by trying to drop a full fuel tank with a floor jack.

 

[BGlidewell]

I think I'd do that before risking injury or damage by trying to drop a full fuel tank with a floor jack.

+1000

I've never taken a tank off with more than 5 gallons in it and even then, a slosh takes effort to control by yourself. The floor jack is not used for weight but BULK in this case.

 

[Sticks]

Sticks,



You're confusing me...



A new genuine Mopar sending unit (part number 4897669AB) is only $56 at Mopar Parts America.



A new in-tank pump module is well over $300, not to mention what a POS it is, and a HUGE hassle to replace when it eventually fails. A lift pump mounted on the frame rail just in front of the tank makes much more sense.



Tell me I'm missing something!



John L.

Been a while since I have priced them. Dealer prices. The in tank pump (which used in conjunction with OEM block pump was good for up to medium perf. upgrades - never had a problem with any that I have installed - did not have any failures in 3 years that I kept track of those I did) was $100 cheaper than the regular sending unit.



Gotta remember, I was working at a shop that bought parts from the dealer if no other local or current suppliers carried it.



I had the R&R fuel tank and swap out sending unit down to . 4 hours. Pretty easy job. Just hated doing farm or field trucks. Too much mud.

 

[GAmes]

If you don't have a 5er hitch,aux tank or a toolbox the easiest way would be to lift the bed.

 

[Jdbright]

I thank you for all the advice, the tank is successfully lowered. I didn't have a floor jack, so I used the screw scissor jack out of my sons car. I don't see any cracks in the suction line, so I'm kinda stumped on why I ran out of fuel and it only took five gallons to fill. I need to replace the fuel gauge sending unit, and I seen in one of the posts were to get one, so I think I'm set for now. Tanks to all who took time to answer. The truck is a 97 Laramie extended cab slt 4x4.

 

[AABEN]

I am running the pump that came on her. I got one from Geno's for 180. 00 that I carry under the seat. I have run outboard oil ever sense they came out with 15PPM fuel. If it goes out I can change it on the road.

 

[Sticks]

12v truck, don't need the in tank unit, just watch for leaks at the fuel heater (IIRC next to your block mounted transfer pump - disconnect the wire harness, if it is wet, it is leaking and needs replaced or removed from the system). I can't remember which years the 1st gens had that. The fuel return line from the P-pump is also another that can cause the system to bleed down.

Not sure if the 1st gens had issues with the stand pipe in the sending unit breaking/cracking.