Pump Out Diesel Fuel

[Kalinowski]

I have to do some maintenance on the diesel fuel tank supports and need to pump the 10-15 gallons of fuel still in there so I can remove the tank I've never done this before and wonder if one of those oil changer units would work. Are there any dangers I should be aware of? What have others done to accomplish this?

Thanks!

[Sailmonkey]

I've gotten the cheap drill pumps from harbor freight to accomplish this before.


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[Lepke]

I have used Teel and other rubber impeller pumps to do this. The rubber needs to be purged of diesel residue to avoid damage. I also used a diaphragm FW pump no longer needed. Diesel isn't explosive like gas, but don't run the pump dry for an extended period.

[Pete7]

A small electric fuel pump will do, I use one of these to filter our tank:

12v Facet Cube Style Solid State Electrical Petrol / Diesel / Fuel Lift Pump | eBay

[Tailwheel]

I did use the vacuum oil-changer drum and it worked fine, but it only holds a few gallons so I had to keep emptying it once it filled up. No biggie.


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[Wainui]

Just pumped out 10 gallons using a drill pump from Home Depot $6
soft copper pipe and plastic hose.
200 GPH Drill Pump-DRP-1 - The Home Depot

[rwidman]

I have emptied a fuel tank by siphoning the fuel out.

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by Kalinowski

I have to do some maintenance on the diesel fuel tank supports and need to pump the 10-15 gallons of fuel still in there so I can remove the tank I've never done this before and wonder if one of those oil changer units would work. Are there any dangers I should be aware of? What have others done to accomplish this?

Thanks!

If you dont want to taste diesel an oul change pump will work.

Make sure to secure the hose ends.

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[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by rwidman

I have emptied a fuel tank by siphoning the fuel out.

I've found it difficult to siphon out of my keel tank... pity , that!

Jim

[bletso]

Harbour Freight sells a cheap 12 VDC oil transfer pump. I pumped out 30 gals of bad diesel and use it to pump out my engine oil.

[zeehag]

auto zone and napa sell electric pumps..i use for electric assist for fuel... i donot use my lift pump.
the bulb kind of pumps also work-- like outboard-- so if you have an outboard with remote tank you have an effective pump already. use it or buy a 50 buck assist pump. low pressure
.

[Glacier Crews]

You can often rent portable fuel pump out outfit ( with and without fuel polishing capacity) from purveyors of marine fuel.

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by Kalinowski

I have to do some maintenance on the diesel fuel tank supports and need to pump the 10-15 gallons of fuel still in there so I can remove the tank I've never done this before and wonder if one of those oil changer units would work. Are there any dangers I should be aware of? What have others done to accomplish this?

Thanks!

By oil changer unit, if you mean like a "Pella" brand cylinder with internal pump. Yes it will work.

However, these are storage problem aboard as they take up a lot of space. If you are going to purchase something for purpose, a small 12 Vdc fuel transfer pump is a better choice.

Ramblin Rod
Marine Service Provider
About Sheen Marine

[Hudson Force]

'just to suggest an alternate approach:

1- If you draw from two tanks, you can take the supply from the tank you want to deplete and return the fuel to the other tank if you have space.

2- You can detach your diesel return line from your engine and have it flow to a removable container while running your engine on the tank that you want to deplete. Most engines draw far more fuel than they use.

This might not be your best choice, but it can be convenient.

[SeaSon]

Plenty of cheap ideas here. harbor frieght also has a hand pump that i use for a million different projects on the boat that works very well.

Storage - If you dont want to buy 3 diesle cans, then the cheapest choice is a bottom of the line garbage can from Ace or similar.

To answer your post, there is virtually no danger in pumping or storing your diesel.