Fuel Tank Baffolding??? Something Else???

[PeteA216]

Hi, everyone. This is my first post in the Geo Metro section (I own a Chevy Caprice Classic, kinda the opposite of a Metro). I've got a problem here. My aunt somehow accidently filled her tank with diesel fuel instead of gas. Now the car barely runs, and smokes all over the place (from the exhaust, not the engine itself). I wanted to syphon all of the diesel out of the tank, and put some regular gas into it, but when I tried running the hose down the filler neck, something stopped me on the way down, so I couldn't get to the fuel. I tried different angles, I tried forcing my way in, but no luck. What's down there, and how can I get around it? Thanks!

Also, a diagram of the tank would be helpful if possible.

[tyrugh5v]

A screen to keep leaves and other large debris out. Better remove the tank, which is a big pain in the butt. Unless you can get a few friends to help tip the car on its left side.

[PeteA216]

Yeah, I'm trying to avoid taking out the tank, unless absolutely necesary. Is it heavy guage screen, or would I be able to punch through it with a flexable steel bar? I might have to try to tip the car over like you said ;-)

[geozukigti]

Just let the fuel pump do the work. Hook a long fuel hose up to where the hard fuel line is on the firewall, put the other side of the hose where ya wanna drain it, and then turn the key to "on". It'll run for a few seconds, and shut off, just keep doin that for a while. . Or, unhook the starter solenoid, and hold the key in the start position. It'd be easier than tipping the car

[PeteA216]

Hey, good idea. I wouldn't have ever though of that on my own. Thanks very much!

[tyrugh5v]

Originally Posted by geozukigti

Just let the fuel pump do the work. Hook a long fuel hose up to where the hard fuel line is on the firewall, put the other side of the hose where ya wanna drain it, and then turn the key to "on". It'll run for a few seconds, and shut off, just keep doin that for a while. . Or, unhook the starter solenoid, and hold the key in the start position. It'd be easier than tipping the car

Yeah, you're right, except it may not shut off since it never pressurizes, right? That would be even better. And don't run down the battery or burn out the old fuel pump cuz then you HAVE to pull the tank.

[geozukigti]

Well, considering the fuel pump runs non-stop the entire time you're driving the car, I doubt it's gonna burn up after emptying a tank of fuel

[tyrugh5v]

Originally Posted by geozukigti

Well, considering the fuel pump runs non-stop the entire time you're driving the car, I doubt it's gonna burn up after emptying a tank of fuel

I'm sure you are right 100%. I'm just paranoid about mine going out eventually on my 90 and I'm dreading 1(getting stranded out on the highway 2(pulling the tank)