Tech Q...Draining Fuel

[STL RT/10]

I'm trying to drain some 2+ year old gas out of my '02 RT/10. I've disconnected the fuel line at the dash as the service manual directs. When I turn the key, only a spirt come out. I'm sure it is sensing low pressure. Then I go to the relay in the trunk for the pump. I shorted 12V to the normally open leg of the block. This results in a siphoning sound coming from the tank and continous spirts now. It doesn't appear as if the pump is really running at all, the flow is too little- about a gallon in 45 mins. Plug the relay back in, get the same results as at first, one spirt. But...now the pump can be heard running again for that second. Should I be shorting something else? Can a small hose be put down the filler neck for a traditional siphon, or are there baffles that get in the way? The car ran like it had plenty of gas last time, but do you think the gauge that is reading full is incorrect and I'm sucking it dry. I don't think this is the case because it keeps producing steady spirts. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks, Matt

 

[Qualitywires.com]

You could stick a tube down in the filler neck of the viper but I doubt you would get all of it out. I think pretty much the only way you are going to completely get it out is by accessing the top side off the tank where the fuel cannister assemby is located at. I personally think it's an over kill to do what you are doing. Do you have a full tank of gas? If not, then just fill it up with new gas and cycle it out while you drive it. Also change your fuel filter. I do have several ways of taking gas out of the car, but you would need special tools and an air compressor. Or you could buy an external pump and pump it out through the neck of the gas tank but like I said, I think it will be more trouble than it's worth.

 

[Johann]

It's normal for the pump to only run for one second when the ign. switch is turned on, it waits for a signal from the PCM before running continuously Jumpering the pump as you did should produce a healthy flow.

Rocking the car should produce a sloshing sound at the filler neck if there's an appreciable amount of fuel in the tank.

 

[Ron]

Why bother? Just add some fresh fuel to top it off and drive away....