91 Silverado K1500, Draining the gas tank

[Netsurfers]

I dont know much about this truck, I traded it for a beatdown car awhile ago. And recently in my town these kids went and put a jug of water in to random gas tanks.

I am sadly one of these victims(I figured no big deal, As I could just syphon it out)

And its got a syphon protection. So yeah..

And the gas tank is completely full, Anybody got a suggestion?
I need to fix it as fast as possible since its my only vehicle and I have college in 3 days.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by Netsurfers

I dont know much about this truck, I traded it for a beatdown car awhile ago. And recently in my town these kids went and put a jug of water in to random gas tanks.

I am sadly one of these victims(I figured no big deal, As I could just syphon it out)

And its got a syphon protection. So yeah..

And the gas tank is completely full, Anybody got a suggestion?
I need to fix it as fast as possible since its my only vehicle and I have college in 3 days.

Best to remove tank and clean and replace fuel filter and add some heat to new gas to burn up what water got threw filter.

[Netsurfers]

Yeah I figured dropping the tank would have to be done but was hoping for a alternative. I noticed a small plug on the gas tank. Would that be a good way?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by Netsurfers

Yeah I figured dropping the tank would have to be done but was hoping for a alternative. I noticed a small plug on the gas tank. Would that be a good way?

Not many tanks have a plug on bottom of tank.
But if it does and it will come out give that a try.

You will still need to change filter and add heet.
Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[Ol'Jim]

Downright nasty trick, I sure hope the jerks were caught, or will be. Stupid, senseless crime. The local judge ought to give them max punishment, and YEARS of community service!
Just thinking, in Minn, your temps are likely below freezing. Unless truck is in a garage, the water in the fuel lines will be frozen solid, even if you get the tank cleaned out. If the drain plug doesn't work, it might be easier to unbolt the bed and slide it back, than to drop the tank. You could remove the pump from the top and then siphon it out, (or use one of those cheapo siphon hose/pump/squeeze-bulb things, don't know how well they work). I changed the in-tank pump on my 2002 silverado about 2 months ago, and I was so grateful for the advice I got on here to remove the bed. It was really very easy. 8 bolts, I hit each with some PB Blaster, and they came right out. A couple buddies helped me lift & move the bed to the rear.
A full 26 gallon tank weighs almost 200#. And there was no risk of the thing rolling off a jack and dumping fuel everywhere. Best wishes, and keep us posted!

[brcidd]

If it were mine, I'd jumper the fuel pump prime lead to 12v- and attach a hose to fuel pressure port (on fuel line) and pump the gas tank dry using the OEM fuel pump- no need to dismantle anything- yes there will be some fuel left in the tank- but I'd add a gallon or two and then pump it out as well--sooner or later the water will be all gone- no need to change fuel filter either- plus the lines will be cleared out this way.

[gremlin96]

if you have a boat shop near. see if they have a protable water seperator you can rent or if they will come out and do it. they put two hoses in the tank and let it filter out the water saving the gas. it takes a few hours but it gets most of the water out. then all you need to do is drop some fuel treatment in.

[Netsurfers]

Originally Posted by Ol'Jim

Downright nasty trick, I sure hope the jerks were caught, or will be. Stupid, senseless crime. The local judge ought to give them max punishment, and YEARS of community service!
Just thinking, in Minn, your temps are likely below freezing. Unless truck is in a garage, the water in the fuel lines will be frozen solid, even if you get the tank cleaned out. If the drain plug doesn't work, it might be easier to unbolt the bed and slide it back, than to drop the tank. You could remove the pump from the top and then siphon it out, (or use one of those cheapo siphon hose/pump/squeeze-bulb things, don't know how well they work). I changed the in-tank pump on my 2002 silverado about 2 months ago, and I was so grateful for the advice I got on here to remove the bed. It was really very easy. 8 bolts, I hit each with some PB Blaster, and they came right out. A couple buddies helped me lift & move the bed to the rear.
A full 26 gallon tank weighs almost 200#. And there was no risk of the thing rolling off a jack and dumping fuel everywhere. Best wishes, and keep us posted!

Yeah its in a garage. That was my first thought.

And that plug I mentioned earlier seems to be nothing. I took it out and it just screwed in to like a shell over the gas tank, But it wasnt holding anything so idk

Though as you mentioned it weighing that much. Guessing that means dropping the tank is pretty much impossible with that low of a truck + only 1 jack?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by Netsurfers

Yeah its in a garage. That was my first thought.

And that plug I mentioned earlier seems to be nothing. I took it out and it just screwed in to like a shell over the gas tank, But it wasnt holding anything so idk

Though as you mentioned it weighing that much. Guessing that means dropping the tank is pretty much impossible with that low of a truck + only 1 jack?

First a word of caution.
Open gas and a heater with a burning flame in a garage is a very dangerous situation.
I have saw gas fumes travel over 20 ft over concrete floor to a open flame.

More than one way to skin a cat.
If bed will come off easy give that a try.

Also on a metal tank you can punch a hole with a brass PUNCH AND HAMMER (no metal becase of spark danger) punch in very bottom of tank and drain it and plug hole with a metal screw and epoxy.

Or jumper fuel pump and pump most gas and water out of tank.
Water goes to the bottom of tank so water will pump out first.

Then add heat so the rest of water mixes with gas.

At least water is better than urinating in the tank like some punks do.


Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Netsurfers]

Uh lol theres really no need to worry about that. It IS a heated garage but not like a spaceheater. Its hooked to the houses furnace

Yeah I wouldnt punch a hole in the tank unless it was junk.

And i'll try to get the bed off but the bolts are pretty rusted up. So I didnt want to take the bed off unless I have to. But this is my last day to get it running so guess I dont got much of a choice

[gremlin96]

your left with jumping the pump. or removing the bed. if you get the bed off you can get a cheep sypion from walmart or a farm store. you could even remove the filler tube and put it in there and suck the fuel out with out removing the bed.