Help with draining the tank

[240SXprincess]

In need of help! I own a 240sx and I have to drain the tank and replace the fuel filter. I have done some research and found that I cant siphon the gas. I have also found that you can drain it threw the line to the filter but the car has to start. Needless to say right now mine doesnt. So my question is to anyone who might know or has some kind of advice is, is there an alternate way to drain the tank without dropping it?

[92nismosx]

can you still drive it? if so drive it around till its near empty? ive dropped quite a few tanks not empty. i like to undo one strap, use a ratchet strap to hold it up, undo the other strap same thing with the ratchet strap. undo all your bolts invite a friend over for a beer and the both of you remove ur side of the strap and lower it evenly onto a creeper...not fun but works....ive never dropped a 240 tank so that is just my 2 cents.

[240SXprincess]

Sounds like a good idea and Im sure it works but I dont have anyone to help me with it currently. Im doing all the work by myself. I wish she still ran cause I sure would take her out till she was almost out of gas. I love my car and want it back on the road. Thats why Im trying to get it running again. Thank you for the advice and Im going to see if I can recruit one of my mechanic guy friends lol

[Lobo240sx]

You can remove the canister on top and scoop it out. Takes awhile and be sure to wear a respirator and gloves. Either way it is still going to be some gas in there. I used my friend's beat up shop vac to suck the rest out.

I was also able to use a siphon on another S13 with no problems.

[Fastazz240]

hmm let me see if i can help, as far as siphoning like Lobo said pop the top off and siphon via Hose. As far as the fuel line therotically it is possible since the line primes the fuel rail pop the line to run and it should pump it out. Only thing in doing that pumping all of it out is chance of pump failure due to overheating. So best to just siphon it out via hose.

[92nismosx]

You try a floorjack? Undue everything and lower ot down slowly?It would be very unbalanced....maybe cut a peice of ply wood the tank could lay on while being lowered by the jack? All thou I do like the shop vac idea..

[asoomal]

The fuel filter or the fuel sock?

No need to drain the tank to do any of those...

[OutToWinPAHC]

The fuel filter or the fuel sock?

No need to drain the tank to do any of those...

This, fuel filter is in the engine bay, unless you mean the strainer sock which is replaceable without draining the tank.

[240SXprincess]

I have to replace the fuel filter not the sock and somehow drain the tank. Unfortunately I had to take my baby off the road couple yrs back. The tank is 3/4 full and I dont want that gas going thru the new filter. Im trying everything I can not to drop the tank. If worse comes to worse I will tho. Im small enough to fit under my car without a lift so I dont mind getting dirty. It can be frustrating at times but its all fun to me in the end : ) I appreciate all the advice guys, thanks again.

[OutToWinPAHC]

okay..... get 5 gallon bucks, extent hose to bucket off the hardline before the current filter, jump fuel pump to run until empty, replace sock and filter and fill it back up.