How does one drain a caravan fuel tank (specifically 1995, 3.3l)? Can it be done without dropping the tank, as it is a FULL tank? Would I be able to siphon the fuel with the tank in place? My problem may be a slug of water. Any assistance is appreciated. Thanks!

I will be checking the fuel filter to see if it indicates water/trash.

 

There is a tube on the rear of the tank that has a rubber cap on it, that is the tube used to syphon the fuel out of the tank.

 

Tizzy1, Thanks for the information. Is this line a dip tube that allows me to pretty much fully empty the tank? Also, would I be able to connect a siphon hand pump to this drain line? Thanks again.

 

It's a line that runs through the pump body and goes to the bottom of the tank, it will be pretty much empty. And yep, we have a hand pump on a 35 gallon tank to pump them out. I forget weather it's 5/16 or 3/8 hose, one or the other.

 

I disconnect the fuel line at the injector raill, install a hose to a gas can then using a paperclip, jumper the fuel pump relay socket. works GREAT!!!! This is how I get gas out of cars I'm going to junk


be aware, if you run vehicles with E10, you can't have water in the system. Ethanol takes care of that problem (unless someone doesn't like you and used a garden hose to fill your tank

 

Guys, Thanks for all of the quality, timely information. One last question for possible future use - how do you know which terminals of the fuel pump relay to jumper if you want to drain with the pump? Do you take one lead to a 12V source? Thanks again!

 

when you take the relay out, there are 2 parallel terminals close together and then a terminal that T's it. They should be labeled 30 and 87 and 87A on the relay itself. You want to jumper the 2 outer terminals......30 and 87. The other 2 terminals are the control side of the relay.

 

exactly. maybe you can post a picture so it's even more clear?

 

nope

 

Thanks again Tizzy1. I thought I had my problem resolved with a fuel filter change. I did not find any water (did not drain tank as it is full, no water at filter). I thought if there was water, that it may have come from a truck tank cleaning, etc. The fuel station said they had not had any complaints. I test drove the van a couple of times and it ran great/normal.

My wife drives the van to work this morning and while on cruise control the engine revved up and lagged a couple of times (~18 miles driven) just before she turned onto an access road. Then as she tried to accelerate the van kind of missed/studderred. Then the same miss/stutter when starting from a traffic signal. I am going to go and trade her vehicles.

Any thoughts - fuel issue or maybe ethanol based fuel has washed some debris loose? Ignition issue? Even a transmission issue?

(New plugs/wires a few weeks ago) Again, all assistance is appreciated. Thanks