On Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 3:43:44 PM UTC-6, wrote:
My gas tank on my truck must have a small leak. For a couple weeks I
always smell gas outside the truck, especially after I drive it. I know
how to change it, but I'm looking for ideas how to pump out the gas.
I know NOT to use anything that would spark, such as one of those little
drill operated pumps, since the brushes in the drill motor spark.

One thought I have, is to disconnect the fuel line at the fuel pump, and
just use that (in the tank) fuel pump to pump it out and into gas cans.
Basically, remove the fuel filter and clamp a piece of fuel line to the
line and insert it in a gas can. Then turn the ignition key to the START
position.

Does anyone know if this will work?
(Maybe those pumps are meant to shut off if the gas flow is high??? I
dont know???)

In the old days, I would have used a siphon, but the old method of
sucking it out with one's mouth is NOT an option. I did that when I was
young and stupid and got gas in my mouth. I know they sell (or used to
sell?) siphon pumps (a rubber squeeze bubble in a hose), but wonder if I
can get it into the tank, since modern tanks have that little nozzle
flapper in them????

* Of course I'll let the the gas level get low before I attempt this....

Any other suggestions???

I dropped the tank on my van to repair a problem with the electric fuel pump and discovered a plugged/capped off hose that was accessible from underneath with the tank in the vehicle. It would allow you to hook a pump to it so the tank could be emptied before removal. It's the tank on a full sized Dodge van and it could be a common feature on Dodge trucks. You might check the repair manual for your vehicle and see if such a hose exists on it. The problem with using the vehicle's fuel pump to empty the tank is because the ECC may only allow the pump to run for a short time without the engine running. If you're good with vehicle wiring, you could go to a wrecking yard and get a piece of the wiring harness that plugs into the fuel pump near the tank and extend it to your vehicle's battery so you can run the pump. Be careful of polarity and be sure to use the correct wires because you could burn out the pump or the sending unit. ^_^

[8~{} Uncle Pump Monster