I'm trying to drain out some old gas so I can put in fresh gas and see if my Jeep will start then. I disconnected the fuel filter from the frame line and I put the output end of it into a 2 gallon can (left the fuel filter on for added length so it fits neatly into the can, and I'm replacing it with a new filter afterwards). I will empty the 2 gallon can into a 5 gallon can once it's full. I keep turning the key to the ON position to get the fuel pump to pump the gas out of the tank, but it of course only runs for a couple of seconds. I then turn it back off and on again, and the pump runs for another second, but then the third time I try it, the pump doesn't run at all. If I wait a few seconds, it will pump again just like before. I figured out that if I turn the key on twice to let the pump run the two times, and walk completely around the Jeep once, that is just enough time for the pump to start working again.

I doubt this is a problem, and if it is let me know, but I am curious as to why it doesn't pump every time I turn the key unless I give it some time to "cool off" or whatever it's doing.

PS I bet I look like an idiot turning the key twice and walking around the Jeep once, turning the key twice again, etc... Good thing I live out in the middle of nowhere and have no neighbors wondering if I need to see a doctor.

 

Well, it's drained now. Only had about one and a half gallons in it. I would have thought it would have more than that...

 

It's doing what its supposed to. It only runs for a few seconds when you turn the key in the on position because it is priming the system. If you are looking to drain the tank without removing it and turning it upside down, you could supply 12 volts to the pump and run the tank dry. Who knows, maybe by the time you locate the wires for the fuel pump and get power to them it might justg be quicker to pull the tank. Hopefully someone else will chime in that might have a better way to drain your tank.

 

Well, it had such a small amount of gas that it didn't even take half an hour to drain that way. So long as it's not a problem and that's what it's supposed to do, that's all I was wondering. Thanks for the answer.