How to Siphon Gas in Emergency: A Step by Step Guide

Understanding how to siphon gas was initially associated with criminals whose singular goal is to cart away half your fuel tank. However, this skill seems to be a lifesaver, especially when you’re stranded on the highway without any gas station around.

So, imagine having a kind-hearted person offering some amount of spare fuel to help power your car until you find a fuel station to refill.

If neither you nor the other driver can siphon the fuel from the full gas tank into a gas can, then into your fuel tank, you will remain stranded perpetually. Do not panic. There’s the way out! Read on.

How to Siphon Gas: A Step-by-step Guide

Siphoning fuel from a car’s gas tank can be somehow tricky if you’re doing it for the first time without proper guidance. Therefore, the following steps have been put together to help you know how to siphon gas with a pump.

how to siphon gas from a car
Image Credit: YouTube Screenshot

Get a clean gas can.

Firstly, you need a clean gas can to receive and store the fuel from the vehicle’s gas tank. Once you have this, place the gas can close to the gas tank. Ensure that you don’t have a leaking gas can to avoid wastage.

Buy a siphon pump.

Next, you need to buy a siphon pump (either manual or automatic). This device is responsible for sucking the fuel out through its hose into the gas can.

The (manual) siphon pump requires using your hand to pump the designated area a few times to trigger the flow from the tank to the can.

Insert the siphon pump.

So, once you have the gas can open close to the gas tank, simply insert the designated end of the siphon pump into the fuel tank and the other end into the gas can. Ensure to follow the instructions in the component’s manual.

After that, hold the assigned spot (between the two sides of the hose leading to the tank and the can) and pump it for a few seconds. This will release the pressure into the fuel tank and cause the fuel to start flowing immediately. Ensure to use a transparent siphon pump to monitor the movement of the fuel.

Remove the siphon pump.

Once you finally reach the limit of the gas can or the desired quantity of fuel you need, ensure to raise the end of the siphon pump’s hose in the gas can. You can as well lift the gas can to stop the flow. Then, you can remove the siphon pump carefully and put it back in place.

However, you can also use a normal (water) hose to extract fuel from your gas tank. The first option is to use the pressure release method.

Meanwhile, if you’re asking, “How to siphon gas with a hose?” Simply insert one end of the hose into the gas tank and the other end into your mouth. Then, suck out the fuel through the hose and fix it into the gas can once you notice the flow. However, this method can be unhealthy for you.

how to siphon gas with a pump

Learn More: What year did anti-siphon devices appear in cars?

FAQs

How do you siphon gas without a siphon?

Although using a siphon pump happens to be the most convenient method of siphoning fuel from a gas tank into a gas can; however, you can do without it.

Alternatively, you can use a siphon tube or water hose to extract the fuel in your gas tank. This is a simple approach if you’re wondering how to siphon gas without a pump.

This is how it works. Simply get a long hose and another short hose. Then, get a clean gas can to receive the fuel. Thereafter, insert the long hose into the gas tank and place the other end of the hose into the gas can.

Also, insert the short hose into the gas tank and stick a rag to close any open space around the hoses on the gas tank access point. After that, blow some air into the tank through the short hose. This will increase the pressure level in the tank and cause the fuel to start flowing through the long hose into the gas can.

Can you safely siphon gas?

Yes, you can safely siphon gas when you use the appropriate receptacle (gas can) and extraction material (hose tube or pump). Fuel vapors are harmful fumes that can cause health issues, hence the need to avoid inhaling them.

So, it is most appropriate to use a sealed gas can with a tight cover to receive and store fuel. Also, you must avoid sucking the fuel out through the hose tube to avoid taking some liquid into your mouth. Of course, swallowing fuel is not healthy.

How do you siphon gas from one gas tank to another?

Siphoning gas from one gas tank to another requires a few materials like a gas can and a hose tube. Once you have these items, simply place the gas can near the fuel tank access point and open the tank and the can.

After that, insert the long hose tube into the gas tank and place the other end of the hose into your mouth and suck out the fuel through the hose. Ensure to use a clear (transparent) hose tube so you can see the fuel flowing through the hose.

Once you see the fuel flowing out, remove the hose from your mouth (to avoid the intake of fuel) and insert it into the gas can. Then, allow the fuel to flow through as you push the end of the hose inside the gas tank further to sustain the active flow.

Once you have sufficient fuel in the gas tank, you can reverse the fuel extraction process to get the fuel to flow from the gas can into the other vehicle’s gas tank.

Can you siphon gas with a garden hose?

Yes, you can siphon gas with a garden hose; however, the hose must be tiny enough to penetrate into the gas tank and the receptacle. Once it meets this condition, you’re good to go. So, if this is the option you have to extract some fuel for your lawnmower, it isn’t a bad idea.

Nevertheless, it is better to have the appropriate materials for the extraction of fuel in an emergency. A manual or automatic siphon pump is best for extracting fuel.

In any case, ensure to take proper precautions when implementing the process on how to siphon gas from a car, irrespective of the type of hose you’re using.

What is the easiest way to drain a gas tank?

Detaching the fuel lines is the easiest way to drain a gas tank. If you have an emergency that requires draining out the fuel in your gas tank, simply run the car to a point near empty. Then, park in a safe place. After that, locate the hose at the fuel filter.

The component is usually located on a frame at the driver’s side in front of the fuel tank. Once you identify the hose, simply remove it and place a gas receptacle to receive the fuel as you drain the fluid.

There are several other ways to drain a gas tank; however, most of those approaches may not be as effective as removing the hose from the filter.

Can you siphon gas from a modern car?

Siphoning gas from a modern car can be almost impossible due to the presence of anti-siphon valves designed to prevent fuel theft.

Modern cars are fitted with several devices and mechanisms that ensure safety and protection against the activities of dubious individuals.

However, it is not completely impossible to siphon fuel off a modern car’s gas tank. You simply need unique tools that are designed for this purpose and find out how to siphon gas from a car with an anti-siphon in order to engage the tools.

Nevertheless, ensure to avoid situations that may require siphoning fuel from your gas tank if you drive a modern vehicle. In any case, understanding how to siphon gas out of a newer car would be an added advantage.

Final Words

Even though some dubious individuals learn how to siphon gas out of a car for their personal gains, learning how to siphon gas in an emergency is still a highly required skill for car owners. It can be your savior when you suddenly become stranded due to insufficient fuel.

In this case, the presence of another car will only require a siphon pump or hose and a gas can to enable you to extract some fuel into your fuel tank eventually.

So, ensure to digest the step-by-step process of siphoning fuel from a gas tank into a gas can over and over again. You will be glad you did, especially in the face of unexpected and uninvited challenges.

Osuagwu Solomon

Osuagwu Solomon is a certified mechanic with over a decade of experience in the mechanic garage, and he has over five years of experience in the writing industry. He started writing automotive articles to share his garage experience with car enthusiasts and armature mechanics. If he is not in the garage fixing challenging mechanical problems, he is writing automotive repair guides, buyer’s guides, and car and tools comparisons.

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