We don’t advocate trying to siphon on your own because the fumes from gasoline or diesel might make you dizzy or even faint. The last thing you want is to pass out in your car with liters of flammable liquid dripping onto the floor. If at all possible, have someone else around to help you if you need it.
What is the best way to transfer fuel from one tank to another?
How to Transfer Diesel Fuel From a Tank
- One end of the transparent tubing should be inserted into the diesel fuel tank you want to drain.
- Make a loop with the hose so that it goes down to the ground, much below the level of the fuel in the tank, and then back up to the tank’s level of fuel.
Open the fuel door
This is the most straightforward phase. It’s rather simple to open the fuel door using brute force, even if you don’t know how to pick a lock. A crowbar or the claw on the back of a hammer can be used.
Use screwdriver to push aside flap over filler pipe
Almost all fuel pipes are protected by a little metal flap. The flap allows you to put a hose in, but it will jam if you try to take it out. All you need is a long, slender instrument like a screwdriver to get around this. Push the flap aside with the screwdriver and hold it open.
Siphon the gas
Connect the siphon pipe to the tank and the fuel canister with the other end. Because siphons are one-way systems, be sure the right side of the hose goes into the tank. When you squeeze the valve, the gas will be suctioned from the tank and into your canister.
*Don’t rely on the old approach of sucking gas through your mouth!
The danger of swallowing gasoline is simply too severe.
The job will be much easier if you use a squeeze-bulb type siphon.
But waitthe car has an anti-siphon valve!
Unless you’re trying to siphon gas from an extremely old vehicle, there’s a good probability it’s equipped with an anti-siphon mechanism. If you wish to get petrol out of the tank, you’ll have to skip this step.
Is it possible to damage your car by siphoning gas?
When I originally started looking into it, I assumed it was about a stolen tank of gas, but it quickly became clear that there was much more at stake.
Gas crimes are occurring around the country.
Thieves have figured out that siphoning gas is profitable. A quick search of local police agencies yielded only a few reports, but one auto mechanic is hearing a lot about it.
“As fuel prices rise, we notice an increase in fuel theft in Danville and around the Contra Costa area,” said “Bear” Matoza, owner of the Danville Automotive and Hardware business.
Customers visit the store in order to purchase locking gas caps. Sales have increased by a factor of two. Locking caps protect the car as well as the gasoline because siphoning can cause serious damage.
“You can’t get the hose out of a car with a hose going into the gasoline tank because of the damage it causes. A one-way valve is present. So, once you’ve pushed it in, you’ll need a mechanic to remove the hose “Matoza said.
Because the outside of the automobile, as well as the inside of the gas tank, might be damaged, body shops are seeing an increase in business.
“I live in the city, so I was walking to my car, putting my laptop in the trunk, and that’s when I observed someone trying to break in,” Kai Kuusik of San Francisco explained.
Kuusik’s car’s gas cap lid won’t stay shut, and there’s a dent from the burglar prying his way in.
“I recently got a $1,600 estimate, which is much more upsetting,” Kuusik added.
It’s a lot of money for such a minor theft, but Alex Astts of Autobahn Collision Center says there’s still a lot of work to be done.
When asked if customers would be surprised to receive a large repair estimate, Astts answered, “Yes, and they become enraged. They believe I’m attempting to take advantage of them, yet the estimate is based on the car’s damage. The estimate isn’t written by me. It is exactly the harm that that individual causes.”
According to Astts, he’s only seen a couple of cars damaged by siphoning so far, but with rising gas prices, he expects to see more in the future, which takes us back to prevention.
“We’ll switch to these locking gas caps as things worsen. They won’t be able to spin this gas cap out once you lock it, because the bottom rotates freely “Matoza said.
A locking gas cap can cost anywhere from $15 to $50, depending on the vehicle.
Is it illegal to siphon gas?
While most individuals are aware that “changing their gas meters” is against the law, it is a common practice to avoid paying the full price of their gas bill. The reality is that most persons who commit gas fraud are obliged to pay back what they owe, or face stiff penalties, including jail time.
What’s the best way to get diesel fuel out of a car?
1 cup warm water + 1 teaspoon Dawn dishwashing liquid (or Fast Orange). Apply the cleaning solution to the stain using a bristle brush, working from the edges to the center. After that, use paper towels to absorb any remaining moisture.