Hi,
First post here. I just bought this beautiful conversion van, 1996, which sat for about a year with a tank full of gas. I would like to empty the gas and fill it up with fresh, to take it for the emissions test.
Any ideas on how to do this without lowering the tank? I have about 1/2 tank of gas.
thanks for any suggestions.
Dan

 

The best way is to take a buddy, or your favorite girl and go take a nice drive for a few hours. If you drain the tank, then you have to worry about what to do with the fuel.

 

One year old fuel should be perfectly fine. I'd fill the remaining space in the tank with 93 octane and then go for the emissions test. Fuel is too expensive to be wasting it on a joyride in my humble opinion.

 

Do they put ethanol in Canadian fuel?

I don't know if I'd trust 1 year old gasahol in that humid environment with those temp swings.

Condensation+ gasahol+ time= phase separation

 

Yes, there's ethanol in Canadian gas, but this is US gas. I just bought the van, which had been sitting for a year. Seems to run fine, but I'm worried about emissions. Until I get it done and registered, I can't drive it legally on the streets to burn the fuel. I removed the inner part of the schraeder valve at the fuel rail, and put a hose on it, but the fuel only runs for a couple of seconds when I turn the ignition on.
dan

 

I think you can still siphon gas out of a tank... just get some clear tubing at the hardware store... used to call it tygon years ago... not so large as you can't get it down the tank... suck on the hose and drain into several 5 gallon cans... you should be able to drain at least most of it.

I would mix the gas 50/50 in another auto and use it... I do this once per year in fuel I use in my gas generator, and stored xtra fuel I have on hand if ever a proplonged power shortage happens around here.

 

I don't know whether or not fresh fuel will improve the emissions numbers or not. It can't hurt, but will it help?

I could not siphon gas out of my tank. I think the ball valve limits the flow, My siphon had a squeeze hand pump and it took a long time to be able to get 15 gallons out that way, but it never freee flowed out.

 

The rollover safety device (ball) in the filler neck also acts as an anti-siphon device. You cannot siphon fuel from the cap location.

 

Just fill the tank with 93 octane and go get your test. There will be plenty of times during your Dodge ownership experience with your new Ram Van where you'll have to do some wrenching. Don't make extra work for yourself when it's not necessary.

 

Hi folks.
I did it. Looked up in the manual for the fuel pump relay (power distribution box on top of radiator).
removed the shraeder valve inner core (like a tire valve) on the common rail, connected aproper size long hose to it, and applied 12V to pin 2 of the fuel relay. The fuel pump emptied the tank out of 14 gallons of old fuel.
Thanks for everyone's help, it's really appreciated.
I hope this helps someone else do it easier.
dan