Mercedes Mullins
If you need to drain the fuel tank of a 1991 Honda Civic, you're in luck—models manufactured before 2001 are equipped with a drain plug. To drain the tank, place a container underneath the tank where the drain plug is located and loosen it. You can also use a siphon pump or a hand pump to remove the fuel. If you're dealing with contaminated fuel, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area and wear protective gear to avoid getting fuel on your skin or eyes.
How to Drain Fuel Tank: Honda Civic (1991)
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel Tank Drain Plug | Not available for 2022 Honda Civic models, only available for older generations (before 2001) |
| Fuel Pump Relay | Found behind the glove box in 2001-2005 Civics |
| Fuel Pump Access | Remove rear seat cushion and disconnect electrical connector and fuel lines |
| Siphoning | Use a tube or hose inserted into the gas tank to siphon out fuel |
| Anti-siphon Screen | Present in some Honda Civic models, making it difficult to drain the fuel tank |
| Fuel Dilution | Diesel diluted with fresh gasoline to prevent issues |
| Water in the Tank | Can cause serious damage to the engine and fuel system if not removed |
| Safety | Wear gloves and eye protection, work in a well-ventilated area, and dispose of drained fuel properly |
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What You'll Learn
Using a siphon pump or hand pump
To drain the fuel tank of a 1991 Honda Civic using a siphon pump or hand pump, follow these steps:
First, park your car in a safe and well-ventilated area. Turn off the engine and disconnect the negative battery cable. Locate the fuel pump access panel under the rear seat cushion. You may need to remove the seat cushion by pulling up the tabs at the front and rear edges. Remove the access panel by unscrewing the bolts.
You will see the fuel pump module on top of the tank. Disconnect the electrical connector and the fuel lines from the module carefully, ensuring you do not spill any fuel or damage the lines.
Now, take your siphon pump or hand pump and insert the hose into the fuel tank through the opening of the fuel pump module. Ensure the hose reaches the bottom of the tank. You can use a flashlight to check the fuel level in the tank.
Before you start pumping, place a suitable container to collect the drained fuel next to the car. This can be a gas can or any closed container of sufficient volume.
Once your setup is ready, start operating the pump according to its instructions. Monitor the flow of fuel to ensure it is steady. When you near your desired stopping point, raise the end of the tubing or the container itself to stop the flow. This will cause any residual fuel in the pump to drain back into the tank.
Finally, remove the pump from the tank and safely disassemble and store it. Remember to close the gas tank and seal the container with the drained fuel.
Some siphon pumps may require cleaning after use, so be sure to consult the provided instructions for your specific pump.
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Removing the rear seat and fuel pump cover
To remove the rear seat and fuel pump cover of a 1991 Honda Civic, follow these steps:
Firstly, pull up the back seat. If you have a 92-95 Civic, the process is the same. However, if you own a 1991 Civic hatchback, the process is slightly different. For the hatchback model, you will need to remove the black plastic spacers on the sides of the seats. Then, remove the two black plastic "C/E" clips and spread the two halves of the seat apart.
Next, you will need to locate the fuel pump. On some Civic models, there is an access hole under the rear seat, but this only allows you to disconnect the pig tail from the pump hanger. The actual fuel pump is located about 8 inches behind the sending unit cover. To access the fuel pump, you will need to drop the tank. Before doing so, ensure that your parts supplier can provide new tank straps, as the old ones may be rusted and difficult to remove.
Once you have accessed the fuel pump, you can follow the instructions for jumping the fuel pump to drain the fuel tank. This process typically takes about 45 minutes.
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Bypassing the fuel pump relay
To drain the fuel tank of a 1991 Honda Civic, you will need to bypass the fuel pump relay. This is because the fuel pump alone does not usually completely empty the fuel tank, and there could be up to half a gallon of liquid or more remaining in the tank.
Firstly, locate the fuel pump relay. On 2001-2005 Civics, the fuel pump relay can be found behind the glove box. However, the 1991 model may have a different relay location, so further research is required.
Once you have located the fuel pump relay, you will need to bypass it using a jumper wire or something similar. Connect terminals 30 and 87 of the blue relay to bypass the relay and prevent the pump from stopping after two seconds.
Before turning the ignition on, disconnect the fuel feed pipe from the fuel rail and run it into a container to catch the gas. Make sure to release some fuel pressure by removing the filler cap, and wrap a rag around the pipe as fuel will be coming out.
Now, you can run the line into a container and turn the ignition on.
Please note that this process may vary depending on the specific model and configuration of your 1991 Honda Civic, and it is always recommended to consult a professional mechanic or a qualified technician for guidance on performing any automotive repairs or maintenance.
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Using plastic tubing to suck out the fuel
To drain the fuel tank of a 1991 Honda Civic using plastic tubing, you will need about 6 feet of clear plastic (soft) tubing that is 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. You will also need a gas can or another closed container to siphon the gas into. Any standard gas canister of sufficient volume will do, but it is important to ensure that the container is closed to avoid spilling gasoline.
Start by taking off the gas cap of your car and feeding one end of the tubing into the gas tank. Insert the tubing deep enough so that it sits below the surface of the gas. You can check this by blowing air into the other end of the tube and listening for the sound of bubbles. Be careful not to inhale any fumes during this step.
Once the tubing is in place, place the free end of the tube in your mouth and create suction by sucking on it. This will draw the gas out of the tank, and once the gas is flowing freely, gravity will cause the siphoning action to continue. Make sure you do not swallow any gas or inhale any vapors during this process. Breathe only through your nose and pay close attention to the level of gas in the tube.
As the gas starts to flow into your container, monitor the flow to ensure that the canister is filling at a steady pace. When you have nearly reached the desired amount of gas, pull the tubing out of the tank. If you get any gas in your mouth, be sure to spit it out immediately and rinse your mouth out thoroughly.
Please note that this method may not work if your gas tank has a special anti-siphon barrier. However, such barriers can sometimes be held open with a screwdriver. Additionally, this method may not be effective if there is a significant amount of water in the tank or if the water is frozen.
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Removing the drain plug
It is important to note that only older generations of Honda Civics (before 2001) have a drain plug. If your 1991 Honda Civic has a drain plug, you can follow these steps to remove it:
First, locate the drain plug. On some models, you may need to remove the gas tank cover to access it. Place a container underneath the tank where the drain plug is located. Ensure that the container is appropriately sized to catch all the draining fuel. Double-check the amount of gas left in the tank to determine the required container volume.
Next, loosen the drain plug. As you do this, be cautious to avoid spilling fuel and getting it on your skin or eyes. Wear gloves and eye protection, and ensure that you are working in a well-ventilated area. Once the plug is loosened, fuel will begin to drain into the container.
If your Honda Civic does not have a drain plug, there are alternative methods to drain the fuel tank. One method involves using a siphon pump or a hand pump to remove the fuel. To do this, access the fuel pump by removing the rear seat and unscrewing the bolts securing the fuel pump module. Then, insert the hose of the pump into the fuel tank through the opening of the fuel pump module, ensuring it reaches the bottom of the tank.
Another method is to use a tube to siphon the fuel. For this, you will need clear plastic tubing, about 6 feet in length. With the gas cap off, suck on one end of the tube while inserting the other end into the gas tank. Once you see the gas approaching the end of the hose, place the tube into a bucket or container to catch the fuel.
Remember to dispose of the drained fuel properly and always exercise caution when working with flammable liquids.
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Frequently asked questions
Your 1991 Honda Civic should have a drain plug. Place a container underneath the tank where the drain plug is located and loosen it. Double-check how much gas is left in the tank to determine the container volume needed. When no more gas comes out, jack up the right side of the car so that the remaining fuel comes out.
You can try another method. First, get clear plastic tubing, about 6 feet, and suck on one end while the gas cap is off and the other end is inserted into the gas tank. Once you see the gas coming up the tube, put the other end into a 5-gallon bucket and it will start emptying out.
You can access the pump by removing the rear seat and unscrewing the bolts that secure the fuel pump module on top of the tank. Then, use a siphon pump or a hand pump to drain the tank.
