Siphon gasoline

Content

To step
Method 1 of 3: Siphoning by creating pressure in the tank
Method 2 of 3: Using a siphon pump
Method 3 of 3: Siphon by mouth (not recommended)
Warnings
Necessities

Learning how to siphon gasoline isn't just for gas thieves! This skill can come in handy in a variety of situations: if you end up with an empty tank without a gas station nearby, if you want to winterize your car, or if you want to refuel your lawn mower without having to go to the gas station. Start quickly with Step 1 to learn how to siphon gasoline with just two pieces of plastic hose and an empty canister. Note that these methods will not work on fuel tanks that are secured against siphoning (although such guards can often be opened with a screwdriver).

To step

Method 1 of 3: Siphoning by creating pressure in the tank

Find an empty canister or other lockable canister to transfer the gasoline to. A jerrycan that is large enough will do fine, but it must be easy to seal. The fumes from gasoline can be hazardous to health and of course you should not spill gasoline, so it is unwise to transport gasoline in a bucket or similar open container.
Find or buy a transparent plastic hose with a diameter of 1 inch. Siphoning is done by sucking gasoline through a hose to another location. It is best to use transparent plastic, because then you can see the gasoline. But because you don't run the risk of gasoline getting into your mouth with this method, you can also use a hose that is not transparent.
- This method requires two lengths of hose - one long enough to reach the bottom of the gas tank and a shorter hose that extends just past the tank opening. Buy two separate hoses or buy one hose and cut it in half - for the same result.
Place the canister on the ground near the fuel cap. Siphoning works by gravity - once the gasoline flows through the hose it will continue to flow provided the hose is below the gasoline level in the tank. That is why it is usually most convenient to place the canister on the ground next to the fuel cap.
Put both hoses in the tank. Push the long hose well into the fuel tank (the other end hangs in the opening of the jerry can). The end of this hose must be completely submerged in the gasoline in the tank - since you cannot see where the end is, you can check it by blowing gently into the hose (be careful not to inhale fumes). Listen for a bubble when you blow. Insert the shorter hose into the filler opening as well, but no further than 5-10 centimeters. The hoses are now next to each other in the filling opening.
Close the filling opening with an old cloth. This method works by increasing the air pressure in the gas tank, the gasoline is then pushed into the longer hose and will flow through this hose to the jerry can. To achieve this increased air pressure, you must prevent air from escaping from the tank. So take an old rag or towel (something that can get dirty) and close the filling opening around the hoses tightly. Be careful not to do it too tight, the hoses should not be pressed, because then the gasoline cannot flow properly.
- If you find it difficult to close the opening properly, you can wet the cloth and wring it out, then try again. It is easier to close a hole with a damp cloth.
Blow air into the short hose. Check that the long hose is properly seated in the canister, then blow air into the short hose to increase the air pressure in the gas tank. You can do this by blowing yourself (in which case you have to be careful not to inhale gasoline fumes), but you can also do it with an air compressor. When the air pressure in the gas tank increases, the gasoline is pushed into the long hose and it will flow to the jerry can.
- If it does not work immediately, check that the filling opening is properly closed. The air in the tank must not escape.
Keep an eye on the gas flow. As you blow you should see the gasoline flowing out through the long hose (if you used clear plastic). When the gas is flowing, you no longer have to blow - gravity gets the job done. If you want to stop the flow all you have to do is keep your thumb on the long hose, now hold the hose above the fuel level in the tank and take your thumb away. Petrol that is still in the hose now flows back into the tank. Congratulations! You are done. Remove the hoses and close the filler neck of the car.
- If the gasoline won't flow back to the gas tank when you're done, check that the short hose is not occluding somewhere and remove the rag that closed the filler neck if necessary. The air must be able to escape from the tank again to make room for the back-flowing petrol.

Method 2 of 3: Using a siphon pump

Buy or borrow a siphon pump. If you don't want to improvise yourself (as above) you can also buy a siphon pump. They are inexpensive and come in many variations - automatic and manual. Most siphon pumps work the same: in the middle of a hose there is a pump with which liquid can be sucked out of something, it then flows to the other end of the hose.
- The advantage of such a pump is that it is safe and simple, you will not get dirty hands and you are not exposed to petrol fumes. The ideal choice for people who are a bit more careful.
Place a jerry can on the floor next to the gas tank, put one end in the gas tank and the other end in the jerry can. With this method too, the gasoline is sucked out of the tank, once the flow has started, it continues automatically by gravity. The jerry can must therefore be lower than the petrol level in the tank.
- Note: the ends of a siphon pump are not interchangeable: on the one hand, liquid can only enter, on the other hand, liquid can only go out. Make sure the right end is in the right place. If you do it the other way around, air will be pushed into the gas tank.
Start pumping when you're ready. Different pumps soak in different ways, so what you need to do now depends on your type of pump. With a pump where you have to pump manually, there is often a kind of ball that you have to squeeze. With a mechanical pump you probably only have to turn the pump on.
- Usually you only have to pump a few times by hand to get the flow going - the gasoline will keep flowing.
- Some automatic pumps must remain on, others can be turned off after the power has been started. Read the user manual for more information.
When the jerry can is filled enough, you can stop the flow by holding up the hose (or the entire jerry can). If you hold the end of the hose higher than the gasoline level in the tank, the flow will be reversed, so the gasoline that is still in the hose will flow back into the tank. You may have to switch off an automatic pump when the jerry can is full.
Remove the siphon pump from the tank. When the hose is empty you can safely remove the hose from the tank. You are now done. Close the filling opening again and close the jerry can. Disassemble the siphon pump and store the pump properly.
- Some siphon pumps need to be cleaned after use. Read the instructions for use for more information - in most cases you will need to pump a mixture of soap and water through the unit and then let it air dry.

Method 3 of 3: Siphon by mouth (not recommended)

Realize that you can be poisoned by gasoline with this method. Gasoline contains all kinds of chemicals that are toxic to humans. Swallowing gasoline or inhaling its fumes can lead to a variety of unpleasant (and potentially life-threatening) symptoms, including respiratory problems, local irritation, loss of vision, stomach pain, vomiting (sometimes with blood), dizziness, memory loss, and more. When using this method, you must take all possible precautions to avoid swallowing gasoline or inhaling gasoline fumes.
- If you've been exposed to gasoline and get any of the symptoms, call emergency services right away.
Take a plastic hose with a diameter of 2.5 cm and a sealable canister. As with the above method, the gasoline is led through a hose to a jerry can. The jerry can must be lockable so that petrol cannot be spilled and vapors cannot be inhaled. But with this method it is critical to use a transparent hose. Since it is harmful to ingest gasoline, it is very important to be able to see the gasoline flowing through the hose, then you can take the hose out of your mouth before the gasoline has reached the end.
Insert one end of the hose into the car's gas tank. Place your canister on the floor next to the car's gas tank. Insert the end deep enough into the tank to get below the surface of the gasoline. To check this, you can blow at the other end (be careful not to inhale toxic fumes), listen for a bubbling sound.
Put the other end in your mouth. This siphoning method works by sucking in the gasoline with your mouth. When the gas flow starts, gravity does the rest. You must be careful not to get gasoline in your mouth or inhale fumes. When the hose is in your mouth, you can only breathe through your nose, keep a close eye on where the gasoline is in the hose.
Keep your fingers around the hose by your mouth so that you can squeeze it before gasoline gets into your mouth. When you start to suck, the gasoline can reach your mouth very quickly. So keep your hand ready to stop the gas flow in time, otherwise it will end up in your mouth.
Suck the hose and look at the gasoline in the hose. To minimize the danger of vapor inhalation (you can do it do not rule out) you can try sucking with your mouth instead of your lungs - like pulling a cigar instead of a cigarette. When the current gets going it can flow very quickly, so stay alert. When the gasoline is about 6 inches from your mouth, squeeze the hose firmly close to the end, then immediately remove it from your mouth.
Check for air bubbles in the hose. Air can be annoying when siphoning, the flow is slowed down and you tend to suck harder. This is dangerous, so if you see air bubbles stop vacuuming, let the gasoline flow back into the tank and try again.
- Try to keep the hose straight above the tank. According to some sources, you are more likely to get air bubbles if the hose is held to the side, instead of up and down.
Insert the end of the hose into the canister and open the hose. If you stop squeezing, the gasoline will flow into the jerry can. From now on it goes without saying, gravity pulls the petrol from the tank to the lower placed jerry can. Keep an eye on the flow and check that the filling rate is even.
When the fuel can is nearly full, pull the hose out of the car's fuel tank. This will stop the flow and the gasoline that is still in the hose will flow safely to the jerry can. Be aware of the amount of gas remaining in the hose before pulling the hose out of the tank - if you wait too long, your jerry can will overflow.
- You can also cover the other end (where you sucked) with your thumb and move the hose to a higher position than the gasoline in the tank. Gravity will cause the gasoline to flow back to the tank. You can also lift the entire canister with the hose in it.
Remove the hose from the canister when all the gasoline is gone from the hose. You are done! Put your fuel cap back on the opening and close the canister tightly to avoid inhaling harmful fumes.

Warnings

Be careful not to get gasoline in your mouth. Always use a hose where you can clearly see the flow of the gasoline. Swallowing gasoline or inhaling gasoline vapors can be harmful.
The fumes are harmful to your lungs and it also tastes very bad. If possible, use a siphon pump.
Make sure the jerry can does not overflow.