10 replies to this topic

[Mr Duck]

Can anyone recommend a method of;

1 - removing petrol from the tank.
2 - what tools to use.
3 - how to dispose of the petrol when I've got it.

The Mini's been sat doing nothing for 6-months so it needs replacing - that and it needs a brand new sender unit as well!

[micky07turbo]

Can anyone recommend a method of;

1 - removing petrol from the tank.
2 - what tools to use.
3 - how to dispose of the petrol when I've got it.

The Mini's been sat doing nothing for 6-months so it needs replacing - that and it needs a brand new sender unit as well!

well ive had to do this many times on my turbo mini,,i just dissconnect the fuel pipe from the outlet of the pump put the pipe in a jerry can and flick the ignition on and let the pump do its funky thing.
as for the disposal of the fuel i re used mine as it was new but my guess would be to go to your local tip and they may have a toxic waste section

[Ethel]

You can remove a tank with the fuel in - just leave undoing the fuel line til last and stick your finger over the hole. I'd burn the petrol in your engine: mix it in with some fresh 'n it'll be gone in 2 or 3 tank fulls.

[sixwheeler]

I generally get under the car and undo the fuel hose, suitable container to catch and a funnel also helps.

If it has only been sitting for six months then I really see no need to bother, stick some fresh in - it will be fine.

I started one up a few weeks ago that had been sitting for 11 years....!

[analogue_radio]

Get a length of hose, stick one end in the tank and suck through the other end till you get a mouth full of petrol, then quickly move the hose from your mouth to an empty Jerry can, the pressure will drain it through.

[mab01uk]

Please don't syphon petrol as suggested by sucking till you get a mouth full of petrol as has been suggested.............this is toxic stuff and could damage your lungs !
Most local Car Spares shops sell special plastic pump action syphons for draining fuel, antifreeze, or other liquids for less than a fiver. This is what I use as unleaded petrol goes stale within a few months making starting difficult. Even my Honda mower want run on it so I take it to the local tip where they pour it in small quantities into the waste car oil tank.

Heres a link to one for £3.95
http://www.bikerpart...om/Items/syp001

Edited by mab01uk, 27 April 2008 - 06:54 PM.

[lrostoke]

I wouldn't chuck it, comes in usefull for cleaning engine parts, or other bits..

I also use it for cleaning out my underseal sprayer..

[Mr Duck]

Gob full of petrol? Commence vomming!

All the suggestions for opening up the fuel lines at some point - sounds good, and when I've had a bit more experience at Mini maintenance I'll probably try it. The last thing that I want to do is damage something that I can't undo!

Cheer mab01uk, sounds like a plan. There are a couple of 'community recyling centres' nearby so I think I'll be able to find somewhere to get rid of the stuff in the tank.

Cheers guys!

[analogue_radio]

It isn't actually that bad.. I had to do it earlier, so did my Dad, we kept burping and tasting petrol.. yum.

I wish I knew about the fuel line thing earlier.

[dklawson]

Syphoning by mouth isn't terrible if you're smart about it. You don't have to end up with a mouth full of the stuff. If you use clear tubing and a length long enough to lay on the ground and make an "S" bend back up towards you, you'll see where the gas is and stop in time to put your thumb over the end. That's much nicer than spitting for an hour or so.

As others have said, old fuel has many uses. I've mixed it with fresh gas and burned it, I've used it to clean parts, I've used it in lawn and garden tools. Over here it's much easier to burn it than to find a safe and economical way to dispose of it as a liquid.

[T.Harper]

Yes please avoid putting petrol in your mouth at all costs. Petrol contains benzene which is one of the most carcinogenic chemicals known. Putting this alongside the thin membranes in your mouth is definitely a route for benzene into the body!

I know, I've done it, (yuk).

Something i'm studying kicks in here,

Just for the fun of it:

Smokers inhale 55 micrograms of benzene per ciggie
When we refuel, we are susceptible to inhaling up to 1000 micrograms of benzene (20 fags worth)
The background level of benzene in urban areas in the UK stands at 5 - 15 micrograms per cubic metre of air.
On the roadside this increases to ~ 30 micrograms.
In your car this increases to ~ 40 micrograms.

This is all bearing in mind the EU set a standard of 1.6 micrograms per cubic metre as unacceptable air quality.

It's an interesting read, some interesting figures, maybe suggests why so many people in developed areas are prone to cancer. Also makes me feel guilty for driving a non-cat car which is pumping out more unburnt benzene than other cars :s.

Another interesting fact is that the quantity of benzene was introduced when TEL (leaded petrol) was phased out in order to achieve an acceptable octane rating.