How to siphon gas from 1996 Ford Areostar that's dead Is there a blocking screen?

Answer 1

It is NOT a safe thing to do siphoning fuel, both in health and fire safety respects. That being said most vehicles since the 70's (I had a 74 Crew Cab truck with it) have had anti-siphon guards in the filler tube - not so much a screen as it is something that lets liquid flow but a hose gets stopped. On my crew cab it was a metal perforated funnel welded in (remember that was leaded gas days, the filler was wide open too) and my 84 Ranger pickup has a small hose connected to the filler hole, then a large hose outside of that - the fuel goes in via the inner and smaller tube - the displaced air comes up the large hose around the inner hose. Not sure what the Aerostars have but I'm sure it's similar. If you absolutely have to siphon, for say emptying a tank top drop it for replacement of the pump, disconnect the filler tube hoses at the tank top then get a plastic bodied motorized pump and line that is rated for gas fumes (or a hand pumped one - don't chance getting it in your mouth, lungs and sinuses) and slip that into the tank at the connection. Once empty you can drop the tank. You will have to remember how it came off to replace the filler properly when the tank is re-installed. Be safe - use a wire grounded to at least a metal pipe driven somewhat in the ground and don't let anyone smoke near or downwind of your workspace - and DON'T do this in a closed building. Be sure to coat all your bolts on reassembly with anti-seize grease - prevents rusting espcially if it has to be dropped again later. Be safem be smart and stay alive and unburned.