Draining fuel

[Llessur]

My 2500S hasn't seen the road in probably 10 years or so. What's the best way of draining the old fuel from the tank and fuel lines?

[Alec]

Hello Llessur,

Remove the fuel take off pipe from below the tank, just be aware it may be tight and the union could easily be damaged, a six point ring or flare spanner would be best.
I wouldn'y worry about the fuel lines, the fresh fuel will soon push that through.

Alec

[Llessur]

Cheers Alec - is that accessible from under the car, or through the boot?

[Mike Stevens]

Or, you can probably get most of it out by disconnecting the input to the petrol pump and draining it into a suitable container. You might need to unclip the pipe and push it down and/or raise the back of the car!

I agree with Alec about the fuel lines. You'll soon see if it is blocked when you disconnect from the pump!

Cheers,
Mike.

[Alec]

Hello Llessur,

you need to go under the car, it is a small 90 degree bend at the base of the tank.

Alec

[johnnydog]

My Royal Blue MK1 had been off the road admittedly for longer than 10 years (25 to be precise!), and the fuel tank was a corroded mess inside, and the fuel lines were totally blocked - even a welding rod couldnt get through it. It was 4 star, not unleaded but I wouldn't have though the type of fuel would have made much difference. It was a metal pipe however not plastic.
My Sienna PI has just seen the light of day after 21 years, and the fuel was drained as Alec said from underneath, and the new pump (its in the boot not at the front like a carb'd car) pushed the old fuel in the fuel pipe through to the disconnected fuel pipe at the metering unit. After a bit of coaxing it fired and ran!
I think you will get an indication of the condition of the tank innards when you drain it; alternatively you could remove the sender unit and have peak through the hole!