Draining a petrol tank

[eil]

The daughter has a 98 corsa that I need to weld the drivers side chassis type pressing that connects between the body floor to the track control arm mounting, the three fuel pipes run along very near to where I want to weld, so to be safe I want to drain the petrol tank and remove the connecting pipework except theres no drain plug on the tank and the anti syphon in the filler downpipe, so how do you old hands go about draining the system, cheers

 

[rtbcomp]

Can you divert the output line from the pump to a suitable container and switch the ignition on?

 

[eil]

Thats what I was thinking, un-do the clip in type awkward looking plastic connectors thats on it and ign on, just wondering if that is the norm in draining petrol these days

 

[Porschemaniac]

Just a thought, but you will be welding at the front of the car - with the tank at the back. Could you disconnect and plug the fuel lines?

Alternatively, I think I would be inclined to simply remove the tank - is that an option?

 

[Iain Westland]

unclip the lines so they can hang free, pull them as far away as possible and zip tie them there (use loads of zips if needed) then make some U shaped metal collars and hand them on the lines in case of sparks. not really any problems with the heat, if its warm enough to melt the pipe, like as not the cars already alight

about the only place I worry about on a corsa is the off side rear spring top as the filler pipe follows the chassis there. Remember its not the petrol but the fumes that catch, watch for that.

iain

 

[eil]

Yes I will need to remove the fuel lines, and I'm thinking might as well remove the tank also just to get rid of the fumes in the shed, in days gone by I would have just syphoned out the fuel and removed tank, was just wondering how you drain tanks now as you cant bung a pipe in and suck to a jerry can.

 

[eil]

Iain, its the front I need to do and the pipes run through a metal clip of about three inches before going up the bulkhead, got to weld a bit too near for comfort there.

 

[KTMMICK]

Can you not take the fller pipe off the tank and syphon it from there..failing that run the car out of fuel.

 

[Iain Westland]

yep, its always a worry. Your gonna have to pull up the carpet. I cant answer for others here but I will not undo any part of the fuel system unless I absolutely have to. Wet rags, u bend covers, taking longer than necessary, but anything rather than disconnect a fuel line.

time it would take you doiing it the way you want, I would find a small mechanic shop that welds, pay them £20+ for the job (Dont know how big it is) and spend a couple of hours walking around the shops.

iain

 

[Porschemaniac]

Ah, I see.

I think that however you do it, the tank will need to come out.

Might be an idea to remove the tank and then blow the lines through (from the engine end) to clear any fuel out of them.

I make you right about being concerned with the dangers of welding near fuel lines, though

 

[eil]

The pipes have to be disconnected I'm afraid, just wondering if there was a little trick to draining the tank.
Iain, PAY someone to do my welding, c`mon now mate
Thanks for your help gents.

 

[Iain Westland]

No quick way to drain the tank, and you will have to remove it when empty as its more dangerous than a full one. Check under the rear seat to see if there is an access panel to the fuel pump. If there is disconnect the pipes from there, and work your way forward.

You on a ramp? watch your eyes especially if your not as fuel will spill everywhere when you play around the filter.....

I always look at it this way,

I have an hourly rate I work for, if some body can do a job for less than the equivalent I would earn in the time it would take me to do the job then I have better things to do while they do the job.

I paid a guy to do the clutch on my car a couple of years ago while I welded a transit. I made money, he made money and I spent more time with the wife .... next time I do my own clutch come to think of it

seriously though, going to take you quite a lot of time for a fairly cheap job in a garage.

I have welded quite a few areas on corsas and I have never disconnected the lines.

 

[TechnicAl]

Be careful its the petrol FUMES that ignite

 

[eil]

Just pulling your leg a bit Iain, its for the daughter to learn to drive with, and was only supposed to need bottom ball joints, just want to make sure its done like both of us would want it done if you get my drift, have done similar before to the combo of mine but that is diesel and wasn't as bad as this one, underseal hiding the rot too well, these are pics of the combo, but not too happy as this time as its petrol, bit too near for comfort.

 

[Iain Westland]

thought it was there. used to get them through quite a lot.

if you are gonna disconnect the lines, please be careful as it is the fumes that are dangerous.

 

[Glyn]

I've drained a corsa tank once to do some welding. I lifted the rear seat, there was a pannel screwed to the floor. Took that off and had access to the fuel pump in the top of the tank. Undid that and there was a gerat big hole to syphon from. The last bits I was able to soak up with a rag. Didn't have any problems sealing it after, as I remember.

 

[the snooper]

im with autocare ive never removed pipes to weld nearby wet rag round the pipes maybe even some tin the rag would keep the pipes cool unclip them and move to one side seems a bit extreme to remove the fuel tank to weld up the fornt of the car evenn with pipes removed there will still be fumes coming from the fuel input to the injection system

 

[pedrobedro]

When I did the P reg Corsa in the same place I didn't bother with anything apart from a wet cloth and a squirty plant sprayer to damp down with. If the car's been run recently you might need to pull the pump relay to depressurise the system if you disconnect any pipes.

 

[eil]

Thanks to all for your help, there wasent much petrol in the car as it happend, im going to take the tank off even though its strictly not neccecary to do this job and give the underneath a good going over and re-shultz it, might as well go through everything underneath now seeing ive started as I dont want to bother with it later on see if I can get some peace and quiet.
Back to my question of how you drain the fuel tank, if for instance you`ve put in the wrong fuel it gets quite involved doesent it as there arent any drain plugs to just unscrew.

 

[Iain Westland]

I've drained a corsa tank once to do some welding. I lifted the rear seat, there was a pannel screwed to the floor. Took that off and had access to the fuel pump in the top of the tank. Undid that and there was a gerat big hole to syphon from. The last bits I was able to soak up with a rag. Didn't have any problems sealing it after, as I remember.