Xantia - Draining the tank

gadgetgricey · Post by **gadgetgricey** » 18 Feb 2010, 00:11

I've just done a stupid thing and put petrol in my diesel Xantia. (Had filled the wifes Scenic up before, and just went back to the same pump

)

I realised mid "pump", so will probably be OK, but is there an easy way to drain the tank.

Got me back home Ok, but just thought it might be worthwhile.

Thanks again

- Dave -

addo · Post by **addo** » 18 Feb 2010, 00:58

Struth - easy way to kill the injector pump, I'd think! What about picking up an external EFI pump from a scrapper, and using a length of hose into the filler neck? Hose on the other end into the jerry can - not sure what you'll do with the mixture.

TopDonkey · Post by **TopDonkey** » 18 Feb 2010, 01:09

and XUD probably wont even care that you half filled with petrol !, they arent as picky as HDI's

but i would add some 2 stroke oil into the tank for pump lubrication, about 2 litres should do, them brim the tank with diesel and drive it as normal

Chlorate · Post by **Chlorate** » 18 Feb 2010, 02:08

You could detatch the hose leading to the fuel filter and use the primer bulb to drain your tank.
Would take a while though

Gingerposer · Post by **Gingerposer** » 18 Feb 2010, 06:30

I have had to drain a tank recently when I scrapped a car unexpectedly.
Try your local motor factor or tool store for a drill powered pump. Simply attach to an electric drill, couple of lengths of plastic tubing (normal garden hose worked for me) should do the trick - or you could do it by siphoning.
If you do use the drill pump method, be aware that you may need to prime the device by siphoning some fuel with the hose first before connecting to the pump.
Also, the pump will be toast after you do this cos they are not designed to pump fuel. But they are not expensive.

http://www.toolshopdirect.co.uk/item.ph ... /sn/868760

shows an example very similar to what I used.

Good luck!

Ainslie

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 18 Feb 2010, 07:48

Bulb primer!! Under the bonnet.. as sugested above.. It doesn't really take too long.. you hand might be a bit tired and achey during the process though..

Paul

TopDonkey · Post by **TopDonkey** » 18 Feb 2010, 07:55

you could try parking in the dodgy end of Liverpool for half hour, you will probably find someone has helpfully drained your tank for you by the time you come back

lexi · Post by **lexi** » 18 Feb 2010, 10:24

Or the dodgey end of "any city"

How much petrol have you put in and how much diesel was in tank already is the question ?

Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Feb 2010, 10:45

I would get as much out as possible. Bosch mechanical pumps are tough but they won't appreciate pumping petrol as it has no lubricity at all and could well damage the pump severely.

Popping some two-stroke oil in is a good idea though

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 18 Feb 2010, 11:01

Did the 1.9D always have a bosch or did they get the lucas too/instead of?

Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Feb 2010, 11:11

Xac wrote:Did the 1.9D always have a bosch or did they get the lucas too/instead of?

Many 1.9Ds had the Lucas pump and if this one does, then petrol contamination will be even more detrimental to it than to a Bosch...

gadgetgricey · Post by **gadgetgricey** » 18 Feb 2010, 15:36

All out, boy my right hand is sore after all that pumping.

Got plenty of fuel now for burning all the wood in the garden.

Thanks to everyone for your input.

Cheers

- Dave -

Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Feb 2010, 17:07

Well done Dave

gadgetgricey wrote:All out, boy my right hand is sore after all that pumping.

Been there

Xac and I once pumped 40 odd litres of veg. out of a 1.9TD tank using the priming bulb

Toby_HDi · Post by **Toby_HDi** » 21 Feb 2010, 18:56

Just a quickie to add to this one.

Is it wise to drain fuel from a petrol by removing the feed to the fuel rail and using the ignition to operate the lift pump? Or is this a definite no no as I'm thinking due to the risk of fire?

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 21 Feb 2010, 19:33

Toby_HDi wrote:... Is it wise to drain fuel from a petrol by removing the feed to the fuel rail and using the ignition to operate the lift pump? ...

I've seen this operation done in a repair shop, on a non-Citroen car.
Without starting the engine(!) they were able to get fuel for about 3 seconds
because a relay under dashboard was cutting off fuel supply.
Finally they replaced relay with a piece of wire for a non-stop fuel flow