Hoodoo Man
Viper Owner
I am about to revive a 1998 RT/10 that has been sitting idle for several years. Would like to drain the old gas and put in new gas before starting the engine. Any ideas on how best to drain the gas tank?
There is a check ball in the gas tank which makes it a pain in the rear to siphon gas out (Hard to get the tube around this check valve). Remove the rear carpet and just open the top of the gas tank where the fuel pump is and siphon from there. Much easier.
Thanks for the reply. It looks like there are rivets that need to be removed on the fuel tank access panel in the trunk. How are these removed and are new rivets difficult to install? Are any special tools needed to remove the fuel pump; so that a siphon line can be inserted?
Switching on the key only allows the fuel pump to run for about one second.
Yes drill the rivets. Don't reinstall rivets, pointless in case you plan on doing mods in the future. I replaced the rivets with U style fasteners and a screw through the top. Works well and is now easily removable. They will be at your local auto parts store on the rotating bolts rack.
Thank-you for this info! Do I need any special tools to remove the fuel pump so I can insert a siphon hose?
Yes drill the rivets. Don't reinstall rivets, pointless in case you plan on doing mods in the future. I replaced the rivets with U style fasteners and a screw through the top. Works well and is now easily removable. They will be at your local auto parts store on the rotating bolts rack.
Thank-you for this info! Do I need any special tools to remove the fuel pump so I can insert a siphon hose?
The fuel pump assembly is a large round piece of plastic that unscrews. Once you pop that rivnut cover off it will be self explanatory. No need to unplug everything from the assembly or remove it, unscrew it, lift slightly and put a hose in there to drain the tank.
You can not access the fuel pump in a RT without removing the tank. You can in a GTS. I just did this yesterday on a 96rt. I would jumper the fuel pump relay and use the fuel pressure tap in the intake manifold to pump the fuel out of. Don't forget to install a new fuel filter when your done. That can be a real PITA. PM for tips on that.
What Tom Sessions said. "I would jumper the fuel pump relay and use the fuel pressure tap in the intake manifold to pump the fuel out of..."
Pull out the fuel pump relay, run a bypass wire to connect the ignition switch output to the fuel pump relay output. What this does is allows you to continuously run the fuel pump so that it doesn't stop after a few seconds when you turn on the ignition switch. Remove the schrader valve covered by a brass cap on top of the intake manifold and run a 3/8" clear hose down to your gas can to pump out the old gas. If you hear the pump cavitating (air bubbles), turn it off for a moment so that you don't burn out the pump.
I do this on my '02 GTS, but I think the procedure is basically the same on a RT as mentioned by Tom by using your own car's fuel pump to pump out the old fuel out through the intake manifold.
I made some pics and instructions here:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0CZtmzVw3cMWPS
What Tom Sessions said. "I would jumper the fuel pump relay and use the fuel pressure tap in the intake manifold to pump the fuel out of..."
Pull out the fuel pump relay, run a bypass wire to connect the ignition switch output to the fuel pump relay output. What this does is allows you to continuously run the fuel pump so that it doesn't stop after a few seconds when you turn on the ignition switch. Remove the schrader valve covered by a brass cap on top of the intake manifold and run a 3/8" clear hose down to your gas can to pump out the old gas. If you hear the pump cavitating (air bubbles), turn it off for a moment so that you don't burn out the pump.
I do this on my '02 GTS, but I think the procedure is basically the same on a RT as mentioned by Tom by using your own car's fuel pump to pump out the old fuel out through the intake manifold.
I made some pics and instructions here:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0CZtmzVw3cMWPS
Nice demo! If you unhooked the fuel filter and attached the drain hose to that line while bypassing the relay, would you also be able to achieve the same goal?