Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

O/T: Junk car gas tank draining

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
JCSinGA

10-08-2007 18:30:27




Report to Moderator

OK, I've got an old car I want out of my sight, scrap yard says, no tires and visible hole in gas tank. I really dont imagine the gas would burn anymore much less able to ignite with a spark, but I am not confident in my thinking.

What is the safe way to get a hole in a tank (it is metal) with no possibility of a spark? Thanks




[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Aaron Ford

10-10-2007 17:54:56




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
I always wondered why the scrapped cars had the gas tanks inside the car. Sure does explain it. Thanks!!!

Aaron



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
RobMD

10-09-2007 20:03:26




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
don't even f*** with it. rip it out of there and fill it with water and dump it and put it in the trunk.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Leland

10-09-2007 15:23:00




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
I have watched at the crushers and they have a special vacaum with a drill they drain tanks with .



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
glennster

10-09-2007 15:00:46




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
if you dont want to cut a hole in the tank, drop the tank out of the car and remove the sending unit. it is held in with a ring. drain the tank, dump some dish soap in it and rinse with water. when the tow truck comes to pick it up, put the tank in the back seat of the car.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
O

10-09-2007 09:01:02




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
Local scrap yard drains out all the fluids before they crush them, and you don't have to do it, in fact, they won't give you a cent more if you did it for them and they will take vehicles with tires, but they will give you $10 a ton less. I would think it would be done everywheres like this since most people don't have the means to properly dispose of the fluids, nor do they know how to do it safely.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Hobo,NC

10-09-2007 05:02:24




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
If its a flat style tank I save the tank saw it into, the bottoms make the best drain pans I have seen for draining the coolant into, covers the hole under side of the engine. Also makes a nice pan to go under a engine stand. I use a ice pic to make a hole in a corner.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
jpl

10-09-2007 02:06:30




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
crazy, some of these answers, you guys ever seen a tank explode? i repaired tanks for years and the vapors can explode like dynamite. they can sit for years and still explode. the oxygen in air and gas vapors are very explosive.just takes a little spark. old tank fill with water and replaces the air. good tanks i used exhaust noxxle from engine and run for half hour, that way its full of carbon monoxide and then you can use torch on it. still be very careful.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
LenND

10-09-2007 14:51:41




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to jpl, 10-09-2007 02:06:30  
If you have good gas in the tank and want to save it fill the tank full to the end of the spout, Gas does not explode = the fumes do. Ive had a tank fixed on a car and the welding shop told me to fill it as full as I could it and they welded a plate across the front of the tank .



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Mike M

10-09-2007 03:39:15




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to jpl, 10-09-2007 02:06:30  
Filling a tank with exhaust is a sure way to get it to explode !

Exhaust is a mixture of unburnt fuel too.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
jpl

10-09-2007 11:27:23




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to Mike M, 10-09-2007 03:39:15  
i;v repaired tanks that have had some gas still in them using the exhaust method, its the oxygen content that causes explosion. you guys are talking about draining tanks and i got to talking about repairing holes in them, my apology. i;v only repaired a couple hundred tanks with a torch, had a 5 hp briggs with a 6 foot section of pipe for exhaust the last couple years i owned a rad shop, this worked out better than using my pickup or car. just my 2 cents worth.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
MN Scott

10-08-2007 21:00:22




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
12 gauge with deer slugs.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
dangerous

10-08-2007 20:57:26




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
stand back and shoot it with a .22.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
BENJAMIN KIMM

10-08-2007 20:33:00




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
the last few cars ive crushed had to have tanks removed. I just break straps with bolt cutters lots easier and safer than than punching holes



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
iowa_tire_guy

10-08-2007 19:08:40




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
I had one I had to drain last year, but it had a full tank of fresh gas and was headed to the scrapper. I just used an iron punch and a hammer and poked a hole in the bottom. Only gas vapors burn, not liquid. If I had safety concerns I would have used a brass punch.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Les Mack

10-08-2007 18:44:52




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
Probably the safest way would be to fill the tank completely with water; read completely as overflowing. Once full you can drill a hole in the tank and not worry at all about sparks igniting any possible fumes 'cause there will not be any. The beauty of this is that the tank will then drain completely 'cause there will be no ridges on the inside of the tank as you would have if you use a punch/chisel.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Mo Libnium

10-08-2007 18:39:12




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
An ice pick.

Most of the way in.

If the drain pan fills, stick the pick back in, and drain the pan.

A large open, not too deep pan will provide a nice burning pot for it, it will smoke.

Stand back and toss lit matches.

Have a fire xtinguisher or two handy.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Walt Davies

10-08-2007 19:26:15




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to Mo Libnium, 10-08-2007 18:39:12  
Strap the fire extinguishers to your side you will need them while waiting for a place to land. Walt

PS at least one got it right fill with water and it will be safe to do anything that you want to with it as it can't burn without Oxygen.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
deano

10-08-2007 18:38:39




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
Fill it with water and you can cut, punch , drill , shoot, burn,or make a hole by any other means you can think of.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
K.W. in Tx

10-08-2007 18:38:20




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
I always knocked a hole in them with a long handled crowbar. You might smear gease over the spot you knock a hole in, probably would keep it from sparking. Then again Im not a expert. I just knocked holes in them.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Lanse

10-08-2007 18:36:13




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to JCSinGA, 10-08-2007 18:30:27  
I would (with all the widom of a 14 yer old) get a bottle rocket and stand back.....
Orrrrr , if I enjoy life (I do) I would get a metal punch, and cover it with a peice of wood and giver er a good whack.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Wisconsin Cowman

10-08-2007 18:41:02




Report to Moderator
 Re: O/T: Junk car gas tank draining in reply to Lanse, 10-08-2007 18:36:13  
Easy just drill a hole in the gas tank that is a inch or bigger.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy