# Siphoning Gas … How? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 19, 2001, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618 "2001-09-19T16:45:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jebert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ec9cab/32.png) [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/1 "2001-09-19T16:45:50Z")
My car died on the road last night, and I had it towed to a mechanic. It’s not worth repairing, so I’m going to donate it to a charity that will get the salvage value. However, I’d like to recover the ¾ tank of gasoline I put in. How does one siphon a gas tank? That is, without sucking on the end of a hose with one’s mouth. What kind of hose do I need? How long? Any other equipment? What are the steps in the process? ---
**Author:** ![Arjuna34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Arjuna34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arjuna34)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/2 "2001-09-19T16:50:01Z")
You should be able to find something like this [gas siphon](http://www.safetycentral.com/autemgassipp.html) at a hardware store, or a large gas station. Make sure you’ve got an approved gas container to put the gasoline in. Arjuna34 ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/3 "2001-09-19T17:00:21Z")
If yer just gonna salvage it, Why not poke a hole in the tank with an ice pick or something and just drain it? ---
**Author:** ![Chas.E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Chas.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chas.E)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/4 "2001-09-19T17:10:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by particlewill \* > \*\*If yer just gonna salvage it, Why not poke a hole in the tank with an ice pick or something and just drain it? \*\* Gee, that’s a great idea. Anyone sell spark-proof brass icepicks? ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/5 "2001-09-19T17:36:53Z")
Chaz, what exactly would be the likelyhood of such sparks happening on the inside of the tank, if you are putting the hole below the liquid level? One can put a hole in a tank with steady even pressure, as opposed to a swift punch. And it isn’t hard to come by brass punches either. Hell, you could even use a pointy stick and a rubber mallet. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/6 "2001-09-19T19:01:33Z")
This has got to be one of the saddest and most desperate ideas I have heard in a long time. Is there a fund set up for you soemwhere that we can make a donation to or are you just always this, um, “frugal” by nature? ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Old\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Old_Bull)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/7 "2001-09-19T19:20:06Z")
On some newer vehicles siphoning is not an option because the filler necks are designed to stop this practice. On older vehicles its pretty simple…stick the hose in the tank…suck on it until the gas fills your mouth and then put the end of the hose into a gas can.(this can be tricky while you are wretching and vomiting from the nasty taste of the gas :)) Or you can fill the hose with liquid keeping the end capped with your finger insert it into the gas tank…lower the end of the hose below the level of the tank…and viola…your siphoning. _ **This post is not meant as information for criminal behavior…all criminals please disregard** _ ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/8 "2001-09-19T19:28:41Z")
Recovering fuel from an inoperative vehicle is the"saddest and most desperate idea" you’ve heard in a long time? Dude, you need to get out more. I figure that the average fuel tank on older cars is about 10-15 gallons. On one car I owned, I had a twenty gallon tank! (77 Chrysler New Yorker, freekin aircraft carrier of a car) Let’s say 12 gallons. Figure that 3/4 of 12 gallons is 9 galllons of gas. Right now gas here where I am is $1.56 a gallon. That equals $14.04 in gas that he would otherwise be throwing away. Perhaps YOU have fourteen bucks to throw away, but I don’t ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/9 "2001-09-19T20:13:22Z")
Hey, if you’re really desperate, why not sell the car to a junkyard for salvage instead of donating it? ---
**Author:** ![mmmiiikkkeee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@mmmiiikkkeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmiiikkkeee)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/10 "2001-09-19T21:33:10Z")
You can also get one of the sqeeze-ball pump dealies to put on the end of the hose from a pet store - they’re for people too sqeemish to get aquarium water in their mouths. If you’re use to siphoning water, you just watch when the liquid comes through the hose and pull the end out of your mouth when it gets to a few inches from it. Failing that, just stick your tongue over the end of the hose in your mouth when you see the gas coming, then transfer it to the container. It’s not quite necessary to get a full mouth full of liquid when siphoning. This is all assuming that your car isn’t “siphon-proof”. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/11 "2001-09-20T00:01:29Z")
I have done it by taking the fuel supply line to the carb off and into my gas can and cranked the engine. With electronic fuel pumps it should be much easier and shouldn’t require cranking. ---
**Author:** ![NevarMore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7feea3/32.png) [@NevarMore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NevarMore)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/12 "2001-09-20T01:14:24Z")
I can see the Darwin Award for this situation now… “Man unable to siphon, creates spark while making hole…” But seriously, One is more likely to be injured thwacking you head on the bumper sliding under the car than a spark from punching a hole in the tank. Nevermind that gasoline as a LIQUID wont burn, it has to be in a gaseous form first. The gaseous portions will be at the top of the tank, not at the bottom where one would be poking the hole to drain it. Oh somone correct me if I’m wrong, please. If you do poke a hole, do it in an out of the way place because gas tanks are a popular salvage part and some scrapyards will look for damages. I can understand why he’d want to save it, I have a 65 Lincoln with a 20 gal. tank. A tank full of Super 93 plus a bottle of octane booster is about $40 worth of gas. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/13 "2001-09-20T04:22:55Z")
If you are careful, you can start a siphon without getting gas in your mouth. Back when we were poor teenagers with rattle-trap cars and no money, we siphoned gas out of one car to get another one home more than once. Get a length of garden hose, insert it in the tank. Start sucking. The pressure will be pretty high at first. As gas starts coming up the hose, get your head down below the tank level. Now draw slowly, and suddenly you’ll feel the flow heading towards you under positive pressure. Remove mouth before the gas gets to you, insert in jerry can, and away you go. Why did that entire description seem _dirty_? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/14 "2001-09-20T07:31:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mmmiiikkkeee \* > **You can also get one of the sqeeze-ball pump dealies to put on the end of the hose from a pet store - they’re for people too sqeemish to get aquarium water in their mouths** Hey, that’s me; I’m far too squeamish to want Amoebic Dysentery. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/15 "2001-09-20T12:17:11Z")
1. Push the hose as far into the tank as you can, ensuring that as much of the hose as possible fills up with gas. 2. Put your thumb over the free end of the hose to create a seal. 3. Bring the free end of the hose as far below the gas tank as possible and position over a container. 4. Remove your thumb. ---
**Author:** ![mikehardware](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5fc32e/32.png) [@mikehardware](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikehardware)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/16 "2001-09-20T15:01:50Z")
From experience, there is one thing you have to do if you absolutely MUST use a siphon hose by mouth on a gas tank. After inserting the hose, BLOW into the hose to make sure the other end is indeed in the gas, and hasn’t curled up into the fumes. Many years ago, on the farm, I didn’t. Caught a lung full of gasoline fumes, and the disorientation and headache was no fun at all. ---
**Author:** ![Tony\_Montana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tony\_Montana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tony_Montana)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/17 "2001-09-21T04:46:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by particlewill \* > \*\*Chaz, what exactly would be the likelyhood of such sparks happening on the inside of the tank, if you are putting the hole below the liquid level? One can put a hole in a tank with steady even pressure, as opposed to a swift punch. > > And it isn’t hard to come by brass punches either. > > Hell, you could even use a pointy stick and a rubber mallet. \*\* gas tanks are MUCH,MUCH more sturdy than you make them out to be. i do 99% of the work on my car(car nut) myself. last may i removed the tank on my car to put in a new sender unit. and there is no way in h\*\*l your gonna use a “pointy stick” OR use “steady even pressure”-(unless you use a floor-jack while holding a brass punch on top, which wouldn’t be safe). and hammering away with a rubber mallot and any sharp implement would be an excercise in futility. it would be far easier to siphon. you CAN siphon from newer cars. it just takes a smaller diameter hose. ---
**Author:** ![Slartibartfastt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5e9695/32.png) [@Slartibartfastt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slartibartfastt)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/18 "2001-09-21T05:01:42Z")
Seems to me this guy is working too hard. He said in his OP that it was towed to a mechanic. Any mechanic can unhook/unscrew the gas line and have his tank empty in minutes. The one problem I see is it might cost more for the cans to put it in than the gas is worth. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/19 "2001-09-21T15:12:11Z")
Use CLEAR!!! tubing from hardware store then you can see where the gas is in the tube. You can drain it into a clean trash can then put the can higher than the vehicle you want the gas to go to & siphon. ---
**Author:** ![Tony\_Montana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tony\_Montana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tony_Montana)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618/20 "2001-09-22T06:35:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\* > Use CLEAR!!! tubing from hardware store then you can see where the gas is in the tube. You can drain it into a clean trash can then put the can higher than the vehicle you want the gas to go to & siphon. \*\* umm use a gas can much safer. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siphoning-gas-how/82618.md?page=2)