Is there a reason not to siphon fuel?

rbridges · October 13, 2011

When I take my plane up to Rome, Ga for the bladders, they're going to drain my tanks. He said he doesn't like to save the fuel. That means that >$150 worth of fuel gets tossed. Is there any reason I couldn't siphon the fuel into gas cans and transfer it to another plane (like the one following me to drop off mine)?

**carusoam** · October 13, 2011

RB,

"He" probably refers to the guy who will see some junk that gets stirred up from the bottom of the tanks.

"He" does not want to take responsibility of putting anything into your tank. Especially into the new bladders that "he" has to warranty.

"He" doesn't get paid any more to take on the slightest bit of risk.

"You" are PIC and can make that judgement for yourself. Most dirt settle quickly.....

I have tossed out a few gallons this way...(Mechanic used it to feed off road vehicles)

Best regards,

-a-

rbridges · October 13, 2011

That was basically it. He mentioned stuff at the bottom of the tanks. I figured it would be safe to take out remaining fuel from the top, but I don't want to take any risks to save a few bucks.

MARZ · October 13, 2011

Is there a reason not to siphon fuel?

Other than the fact it tastes bad.... sorry flashback to my younger days....

rbridges · October 13, 2011

Quote: maropers

Is there a reason not to siphon fuel?

Other than the fact it tastes bad.... sorry flashback to my younger days....

MARZ · October 13, 2011

actually the folks at the bowling alley.

**carusoam** · October 13, 2011

Agreed,

Times are tough, but it would still be bad to siphon someone elses fuel.....

-a-

kerry · October 13, 2011

I would save the fuel. Take some fuel cans with a funnel and and open your slump drain.

201er · October 13, 2011

Why not just fly off what you can beforehand and arrive with just minimal fuel and dump it? You may need a refresher on running tanks dry though =)

John Pleisse · October 13, 2011

Quote: rbridges

When I take my plane up to Rome, Ga for the bladders, they're going to drain my tanks. He said he doesn't like to save the fuel. That means that >$150 worth of fuel gets tossed. Is there any reason I couldn't siphon the fuel into gas cans and transfer it to another plane (like the one following me to drop off mine)?

**Hank** · October 13, 2011

Joey provides full bladders as part of the install. But the out-the-door bladder price is almost two strip-and-reseals . . .

DaV8or · October 13, 2011

If the shop will allow you to transfer the gas yourself, I would do it and use this funnel filter if you're worried about dirt. They also have better filters for more money if you really want super clean gas. I feel your pain. I had to drain my tanks to calibrate my new fuel senders and my MVP-50 and they just chucked the old gas and wouldn't allow me to put it back in.

**Shadrach** · October 13, 2011

Quote: rbridges

That was basically it. He mentioned stuff at the bottom of the tanks. I figured it would be safe to take out remaining fuel from the top, but I don't want to take any risks to save a few bucks.

rbridges · October 13, 2011

Quote: Hank

Joey provides full bladders as part of the install. But the out-the-door bladder price is almost two strip-and-reseals . . .

**carusoam** · October 13, 2011

I can't say it enough times though.....

Use great caution when working with gasoline. Especially when it is not your usual practice....

Best regards,

-a-

**Jeff_S** · October 13, 2011

When I had the tanks drained on my Cherokee for an SB inspection, my A/P was also reticent about putting the fuel back in. So I paid $7.20/gallon or somesuch for him to put enough in from Signature to test the work, but I provided some 10 gallon jugs for him to use to catch the fuel he drained. I then promptly poured that fuel right back into the tanks myself, albeit through a two-screen system comprised of a fuel-tester screen inside a screen funnel...it wasn't elegant but it worked fine. I would just burn off as much fuel as you can and give Joey some empty jugs to catch what he drains.

**Jeff_S** · October 13, 2011

Although I will admit that at Rome the cost of AvGas is not so shocking as at PDK!

WardHolbrook · October 13, 2011

Just plan on landing with minimum fuel. You'd be talking 8 to 10 gallons and it would probably be more hassle than it's worth.

**jetdriven** · October 13, 2011

I like the idea of siphoning it out and putting it in the plane that you are going home in.

fantom · October 13, 2011

Quote: jetdriven

I like the idea of siphoning it out and putting it in the plane that you are going home in.

**Shadrach** · October 13, 2011

Quote: carusoam

I can't say it enough times though.....

Use great caution when working with gasoline. Especially when it is not your usual practice....

Best regards,

-a-

rbridges · October 13, 2011

Quote: WardHolbrook

Just plan on landing with minimum fuel. You'd be talking 8 to 10 gallons and it would probably be more hassle than it's worth.

**jetdriven** · October 13, 2011

My 05 Honda Accord likes 100LL. It also has had a few gallons of 50:1 outboard gas as well. It loves it !

**Shadrach** · October 13, 2011

Quote: jetdriven

My 05 Honda Accord likes 100LL. It also has had a few gallons of 50:1 outboard gas as well. It loves it !

**jetdriven** · October 13, 2011

Perhaps long term but a dose every now and then doesnt seem to harm it. My 93 eagle talon passed the sniff test two days after track night and it has a tailpipe coated in lead from the 112 leaded race gas. It has a cat and a wideband 02 as well. I did fill it up with regular gas first.

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