Ameer Randolph
Draining a Ford Transit fuel tank can be a tricky task. While some suggest that the best way to clean the tank is to remove it entirely, others have proposed methods to drain the tank without removing it. One such method involves jacking up one side of the van and using a small electric pump and tubing attached to the fuel filter outlet to draw fuel into containers. Another method involves creating a siphon to get the fuel flowing. This can be done by hooking a drain hose to the tank where the engine fuel line normally hooks up, then turning the ignition key to run without starting to energize the fuel pump and pump out the tank.
How to Drain a Ford Transit Fuel Tank
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank removal | Jack up the rear of the van, take off the heat shield, remove hand-tight wide screws, find the two pipes at the front of the tank, remove clips by pressing both sides and pushing back, and drain |
| Fuel pump | Use a small electric pump and tubing attached to the fuel filter outlet to draw fuel into containers until the tank is empty |
| Fuel line | Unhook the main fuel line to the engine, turn the ignition on without starting, and pump out the gas |
| Siphoning | Create a siphon to get the fuel flowing |
| Drain plug | Drill and tap a hole, install a fitting that screws in with a tightening nut, and seal it securely with a big washer |
| Fuel filter | Hook up fuel filters to get rid of old gas/sediment |
| Sediment | Poke around with copper wire to remove sediment that may be blocking the outlet |
| Fuel pressure | Back blowing compressed air may not work due to fuel feed lines keeping fuel pressure constant |
| Fuel type | Diesel or petrol |
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What You'll Learn
Using a small electric pump and tubing
Draining a Ford Transit fuel tank can be done in several ways, one of which is by using a small electric pump and tubing. This method is more convenient than using a hand pump or completely removing the tank. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to drain a Ford Transit fuel tank using this method:
Firstly, locate the fuel filter outlet on your Ford Transit. This is where you will attach the small electric pump and tubing. Make sure you have a series of containers ready to collect the fuel. These containers should have a capacity of around 5 litres each, and you will need enough containers to hold the total volume of fuel in your tank.
Once you have identified the fuel filter outlet, securely attach the tubing to the outlet. Ensure that the connection is tight and secure to prevent any leaks. Turn on the electric pump, and begin drawing the fuel out of the tank. You may need to prime the pump by turning the ignition key to the 'on' position without starting the engine. This will energize the fuel pump and facilitate the fuel extraction process.
As the fuel is drawn out, it will pass through the tubing and into the containers you have prepared. Continue this process until the tank is completely empty. Depending on the size of your tank and the capacity of the containers, you may need to switch out the containers as they fill up. Always ensure that the containers are properly sealed and stored in a safe location during the drainage process.
Once the tank is empty, you can then proceed with any necessary maintenance or repairs. It is important to note that even with an electric pump, there may still be some residual fuel or sediment left in the tank. If a thorough cleaning is required, it is recommended to remove the tank and clean it separately.
By following these steps, you can effectively drain your Ford Transit fuel tank using a small electric pump and tubing. This method simplifies the process and reduces the physical effort required compared to alternative methods. Remember to prioritize safety and have the necessary equipment and containers ready before beginning the drainage process.
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Cleaning and sealing the tank
To clean and seal your Ford Transit fuel tank, start by removing the tank entirely. This is because draining the tank will not effectively remove all the rust and sediment that has built up over the years. Once the tank is out, you can begin the cleaning process.
Firstly, clean the tank and dry it thoroughly. You can then use some of the excess plastic with a plastic welding hot air gun to weld on the right type of threaded flange to screw a plug with an o-ring in. If you know how to weld plastic, this process should not be too difficult. However, it is not critical to be exactly flush because you can sluice through a lot of diesel via the filler hose and let it drain out.
Collect the diesel in a container and run it through a filter with a small facet solid-state pump, and then pump it back into the tank. If the straps on your tank are too rusty to undo easily, this is a good alternative method.
You can also take your fuel tank to a professional, such as a radiator shop, to have it cleaned and sealed. This option may be preferable if you do not feel confident in your ability to clean and seal the tank effectively.
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Using a hand pump
Draining your Ford Transit fuel tank can be done in several ways, one of which is using a hand pump. This method is more labour-intensive than using an electric pump, but it is still effective.
Firstly, you will need to locate the fuel filter outlet. This is where you will attach your hand pump and tubing. Ensure you have a series of containers ready to collect the fuel, as you will need to manually transfer the fuel from the tank.
Next, attach the hand pump to the fuel filter outlet, using the tubing to create a secure connection. It is important to ensure that the connection is secure and that there are no leaks. Once you have started pumping, you will need to monitor the containers and switch them out as they fill up.
It is worth noting that some Ford Transit models have a drain plug, which can make the process easier. If your model has a drain plug, you can jack up one side of the van to help drain almost all of the fuel. Additionally, you can try to unhook the main fuel line to the engine and turn the ignition on without starting the engine. This should cause the fuel to pump out.
If you encounter difficulties, it may be necessary to consult a professional or a Ford Transit forum for more tailored advice.
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Siphoning
To drain a Ford Transit fuel tank, one method is to siphon the fuel out. Siphoning is a process where you use a tube to create a vacuum, allowing the fuel to be transferred from the tank to another container. This can be done with a simple tube, but it is important to note that Ford Transit fuel tanks have an anti-siphon device, so a smaller tube may be required.
Firstly, you will need to locate the fuel line and the tank. The fuel line is usually found where it leaves the cab, and the tank is typically located at the rear of the van. Once you have located the fuel line, you will need to unhook it. This is usually done by finding the quick-fit clamps and removing the clips by pressing on both sides and pushing back. With the clips removed, you should be able to access the fuel line and tank.
Place a container under the tank to catch the fuel. You can then use a tube to siphon the fuel. Place one end of the tube into the fuel tank and suck on the other end to create a vacuum. Once the fuel starts flowing, lower the tube into the container and allow the fuel to drain. It is important to be cautious when siphoning fuel, as it is highly flammable, and ensure that the area is well-ventilated.
If you are unable to siphon the fuel, it may be due to sediment build-up blocking the outlet. In this case, you can try poking around with a copper wire to clear the blockage. Alternatively, you can try using an air hose to blow the sediment back into the tank. Another option is to use a small electric pump and some tubing attached to the fuel filter outlet to draw the fuel into containers.
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Removing the tank
First, you need to jack up the rear of the van and place it on axle stands for stability. Next, locate the heat shield and remove it by unscrewing the wide screws. You will then need to find the two pipes at the front of the tank and remove the quick-fit clamps by pressing on both sides and pushing back. Place an open bucket underneath to catch the fuel, and then remove the clamps to allow the fuel to drain.
If you want to get rid of any remaining fuel, you can attach an airline and a rag to pressurize the tank and blow out the remaining contents. Alternatively, you can use a small electric pump and tubing to draw out the fuel. Attach the pump to the fuel filter outlet and pump the fuel into a series of containers until the tank is empty.
Once the tank is drained, you can remove it from the vehicle and clean it thoroughly. This involves using a plastic welding hot air gun to weld a threaded flange onto the tank, allowing you to screw in a plug with an O-ring. This will ensure that the tank is securely sealed.
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Frequently asked questions
You can try unhooking the main fuel line to the engine and turning the ignition on without starting. You could also try creating a siphon to get the fuel flowing.
The easiest way to drain a fuel tank is to remove it and clean it. However, if you want to drain the tank without removing it, you can use a small electric pump and some tubing, attached to the fuel filter outlet, to draw fuel into a series of containers until the tank is empty.
Jack up one side of your van to get almost all the fuel out. You can also drill and tap a hole and install a fitting that screws in with a tightening nut below so it is flush with the inside.
If you have filled your tank with the wrong fuel, you will need to drain it.
