fuel drain

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dbr
Posts: 113
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2014 5:05 pm
Your car is a: 1981 fiat spider
Location: St. Charles, IL area

fuel drain

Post by dbr »

Does anyone know what is the best way to drain the fuel tank in a 1981 spider?

Thanks,

Dexter
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MrJD
Posts: 551
Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 1:23 pm
Your car is a: Looking to ask questions about a 79 2.0
Location: Laurinburg NC

Re: fuel drain

Post by MrJD »

Image

To drain the tank I loosened the elbow from the top and bottom, and had it where I could rotate it down into a bucket. Have Lots of buckets.
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azruss
Posts: 3659
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI

Re: fuel drain

Post by azruss »

I find the big filler hose can be a bear if it has been on there a while and is hard as concrete. 2nd alternative is to remove the hose going into the fuel pump or filter. As mentioned, lots of containers.
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dbr
Posts: 113
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2014 5:05 pm
Your car is a: 1981 fiat spider
Location: St. Charles, IL area

Re: fuel drain

Post by dbr »

I removed the fuel hose going from the tank to the pump and nothing happened. What can be stopping the gas from flowing out? I looked into the tank to see if there was something stopping the gas from flowing out and couldn't see anything.

Any advice?
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azruss
Posts: 3659
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI

Re: fuel drain

Post by azruss »

if your fuel level is low and the hose runs over the top of the axle, you could have a siphon lock. you need to pull the hose down, so the highest point is below the bottom of the tank.
80spiddy
Posts: 180
Joined: Thu Mar 05, 2015 8:06 pm
Your car is a: 1980 spider 2000

Re: fuel drain

Post by 80spiddy »

I use an electric fuel pump and stick one hose in tank send unit hole and other hose into gas can. If you know any mechanics in a shop, they would have one. Maybe they'll lend it to you.
spider2081
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Posts: 3015
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:45 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Wallingford,CT

Re: fuel drain

Post by spider2081 »

I use a hot air gun to heat the filler hose to soften it. Also spray WD-40 or penetrating oil into space between hose and tank connection. That helps also.
You could remove fuel gauge sender and siphon the fuel from there.
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