How can you drain the gas tank in a 1995 Ford Thunderbird without dropping the tank?

Answer 1

I am not experienced with your make and year model, but it should not matter, as one or more of the following procedures should apply to all vehicles and types of fuel systems. Obviously, if your vehicle has a drain plug [which I doubt} in the tank bottom, that is the easiest and best way to drain the tank. If not, use one or more of the following procedures. 1. You will need some basic hand tools [like screwdrivers, pliers, small socket set, etc.], a siphon kit with a hand squeezed "starter" bulb [for procedure in item 2 below], 8 or 10 feet of rubber fuel hose sized to fit the METAL fuel line(s) on your vehicle [procedure in items 3 and 4 below], a couple of worm drive hose clamps to fit the rubber fuel hose [for items 3 and 4], enough APPROVED gas cans to hold the fuel to be removed from your vehicle gas tank [all procedures], possibly an aftermarket, stand alone, "universal" type electric fuel pump [for item 3 and 4]], AND for SAFETY, a portable fire extinguisher and some suitable form of eye protection [for ALL procedures]. All of these items are available at your local auto parts store, or possibly your Wal-Mart. NOT ALL of these items are necessary >IF< you can "get away with" the siphon method in procedure "1," which requires only the siphon kit and portable gas cans. 2. Most vehicles now have an "anti-siphon" coil spring in the filler neck, BUT sometimes it is possible to insert a small diameter siphon tube [in the kit] to the bottom of the tank. If so, using the siphon kit, siphon the fuel into the approved portable gas containers, or 3. If your vehicle has an electric fuel pump [some are located in the fuel tank, and some are mounted along the frame rail or in the engine compartment], disconnect the rubber fuel line at the most convienent joint [where a flexible rubber line connects to the metal section of the fuel line] "downstream" of the fuel pump. Using a worm drive hose clamp,securely attach the properly sized rubber fuel hose [from your local auto parts store] to the discharge fuel line, and secure the other end into an approved portable gas container. Turn the ignition switch to the "ON" position [DO NOT START the engine]. The electric fuel pump should turn on when the key is on, and will pump the fuel into the gas can(s). Be very careful to observe the filling gas can so as not to allow an OVERFLOW. When a can gets within 10% of full, turn the ignition switch OFF, set up another empty can, and start the pump out process again. Again, watch carefully to prevent overflow, AND to PREVENT THE PUMP FROM RUNNING DRY, by turning the ignition off AS SOON AS the fuel stops flowing. 4. IF your vehicle has a mechanical fuel pump mounted on the engine, your can try the procedure in item 2 first. If that can not be made to work, then use the procedure in item 3, BUT with THREE differences: 1) For easier access to the fuel line, make the fuel line disconnect AT the INLET PORT of the mechanical fuel pump. 2) Using the hose, clamps, and siphon kit, attach the suction end of the siphon kit to the fuel line from the tank, AND attempt to siphon the fuel into the cans. If that does not work, then 3) Attach the "store bought" electric fuel pump to the fuel line from the fuel tank. Connect the hose to the discharge port of the pump, and run it to a gas can. With "battery charger" type clamps, plus 2 "jumper wires" [can use an old piece of "ZIP" (lamp) cord], connect the fuel pump to the vehicle battery. BE SURE TO USE the CORRECT POLARITY--battery POSITIVE TERMINAL [+] to the POSITIVE TERMINAL [+] on the fuel pump. Connect the battery NEGATIVE TERMINAL [-] to the NEGATIVE TERMINAL [-] on the fuel pump. Proper polarity is absolutely necessary to assure that the fuel pump motor turns in the proper direction. When the "last" wire connection is made, the fuel pump will begin to operate, and to turn it off, simply disconnect the negative clamp from the negative terminal of the battery.