Getting fuel out of underground tank?? - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

sgtrisk · 06-04-2009, 19:53

I've got 500 gallons of fuel oil in my home heating oil tank (which I no longer need the house). I'm having trouble getting it OUT of the tank to use in the truck. (We'll worry about "off-road diesel issues" later.)

I don't have, nor can I afford right now, an electric pump that will pull it up from the tank. And I was, just now, very disappointed to see that the fuel will not drain by gravity from the copper lines left in the house!! Do those lines (or at least the supply line) SIPHON the fuel out, or does the furnace actually provide suction to pump the fuel up and out of the tank? (Unfortunately, all of the old parts of the furnace went away with the heat pump installers!)

If the old supply siphons the fuel, perhaps I could pressurize the tank enough to get it started?

Any ideas would be great!!

swbradley1 · 06-04-2009, 20:10

I got a small drill driven pump from Northern Tool (I think) for about $70 if you can swing that.

It was rated for fuel and you really should get one that is rated that way. Just hook a couple of hoses up to it, one in and one out.

Speddmon · 06-04-2009, 20:15

You could use very low pressure to push it out, but you would have to be extremely careful doing that. Fuel oil storage tanks like the ones you're dealing with are not pressure rated, plus you would have to seal up the tank vents and other small air leaks. If it were me I would plumb in an air fitting with a ball valve and a pressure gauge and use just enough pressure to move the fuel out. NOT exceeding about 20 to 30 lbs max!!! You should only need a few pounds (probably no more than 5 to 10) to push the fuel.

DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK AND COMFORT LEVEL!!!!!!!!

BEASTMASTER · 06-04-2009, 20:23

don't even think of using pressure to get it out of the tank. if you rupture the tank an oil spill will go into the hundred thousand dollars and you're homeowners ins will say sorry pal !!!!!!!

Divemaster920 · 06-04-2009, 20:32

Use air pressure to push it out. All you need is about 3 or 4 psi to do it. I have a couple of vacuum tanks that I use. If you want to use them you are welcome. I am just south of you.

swbradley1 · 06-04-2009, 20:40

Oh, and you may want to make sure that the tank isn't already leaking and taking on water. Use clear tubing taped to a long stick and dip it into the tank and pull it up slowly so that you can see if there is any fuel oil or water.

A compromised tank is an EPA nightmare waiting to happen.

Of course no one cared when a drunk driver took at a telephone pole in front of our house four weeks ago and drained gas and oil killing grass and most likely making it to our creek.

Chevytruck · 06-04-2009, 21:25

buy a cheap electric pump and hoses, or a manual pump and have at it

800summit · 06-04-2009, 21:51

Shop Vac

800summit · 06-04-2009, 21:55

or try a fuel transfer pump with a long hose on the pick up and stick it down in the tank and manually pump the fuel out just as you would with a 55 gal drum

sgtrisk · 06-04-2009, 22:07

As for air pressure, I was just going to use my little tiny air compressor stuck in the vent pipe, sealed with my HAND, while someone in the basement filled the container! Now THAT's high tech!!