‘Being able to siphon gas’ is often viewed as a skill handy for petty thugs, but what if it is not useful only for thugs?
What if we told you it’s helpful when you need to give your lawnmower a refill without having to travel to the gas station, winterize your car or in the event that you run out of gas in the middle of nowhere?
See the importance of the skill now?
With an empty gas can and a plastic tube, you can siphon gas and use it for various needs.
In this post, we will focus on one of the easiest, safe methods of siphoning gas from a car, and it relies on generating pressure in the gas tank.
Here are the steps to follow:
Get a gas can
You can use a standard gas can or any similar container as long as it’s closed. Remember, gas releases hazardous fumes, and thus it needs to be moved in a closed container. You should never use open containers like buckets.
Get a plastic tube
Diameter of one inch is sufficient for the tubing. The hose will allow you to suck gas into the container, and by getting a clear tube, you will be able to see the gas move.
You need two tubes – a short one that just reaches into the gas tank, and a long one that reaches deep into the tank. You can either get two tubes or cut the one you have into two, provided you get the lengths right.
Read Also: Vacuum Tube Testing Process For Beginners
Take advantage of gravity
To siphon the gas, you will rely on gravity to move the liquid from a higher point to a lower point. Thus, place your container on the ground adjacent to the gas tank.
Feed the hoses
Place one end of the longer hose inside your gas container and shove the opposite end deep into the gas tank.
Here’s how to know that the tube is actually inside the gas tank: carefully blow into the tube through the other end and listen to the bubbling sounds coming from within the gas tank. While doing this, take care not to inhale the gasoline fumes.
Now, shove the shorter hose into the tank but don’t let it go very deeply; it needs to be in the gasoline but not as deeply as the longer hose.
Seal the entry point
The idea behind this siphoning method is to boost the tank’s air pressure and to do that, the escape of air from the tank needs to be stopped. And how do you stop the air from escaping?
Just get a rag and wrap it around the hoses’ entry point. Make sure the rag is tightly wrapped but not so much that it compresses the tubes and blocks the flow of gas.
Tip: a wet wrap creates a better seal than a dry one. Soak in water and wring it before using it to make a seal.
Siphon the gasoline
Before siphoning, make certain the longer tube is sitting snugly in the container.
Using your mouth, force air into the shorter hose for a few moments and when the gas is flowing freely into the gas container, stop blowing and block the end of the same hose with your thumb. This will create pressure in the tank, and for the pressure to be relieved, gas will be forced out of the tank through the longer tube.
Want to siphon lots of gas? Try an air pump rather than relying on your mouth.
Caution: if using your mouth to blow air into the tank, be careful not to inhale through the hose. Only push air in but don’t pull it, so you don’t inhale the dangerous gas fumes.
Having trouble siphoning the gas? Check seal around the entry point of the tubes. Ensure it is tight enough.
Watch the flow
If you’re using a clear hose, you ought to see the gas as it makes its way into the container. Once you’re satisfied that enough gas has been transferred to the container, release your thumb from the tube and raise the tube towards the sky. The flow of gas in the longer hose should reduce.
Remove the longer hose from the gas can and raise it also.
Bring both hoses out of the gas tank.
And, you’re all done. While you use this method to siphon gas from your car, realize that petty criminals might use it to steal gas from your car. So, before you go, do you mind checking out the following tips for preventing gas theft from your car?
Gas Theft Preventive Tips
A determined thief will likely siphon the gas no matter what preventive measures you take, but the following tips will substantially reduce the likelihood of your gas getting siphoned.
1. Install a locking fuel cap
Locking fuel caps reduce the accessibility of the fuel tank and a petty thief will likely give up and move onto another car. There are great locking fuel caps going for as little as 10 dollars on Amazon, and surely, that’s pocket change compared to what you’d lose if someone siphoned 15 gallons from your gas tank.
2. Mind where you park your car
Where do you keep your car at night? If you don’t have a garage for parking the vehicle, it’s time to build a secure one. Even if you’re on a tight budget, this post should help you build an inexpensive but good garage for your car. Again, when you’re away from home, be sure to park your car in a well-secured parking lot where there are guards and security cameras.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I know if my car has an anti-siphon device?
It is true that some newer car models are installed with anti-siphon mechanisms and the best way to tell if your car has such mechanisms is to read the owner’s manual or look up your car’s specifications online by searching the make and model.
2. Is it possible to siphon gas from one vehicle to another?
If the gas tank of the vehicle you’re siphoning from is higher than the gas tank of the vehicle you’re siphoning to, then you can do it. Gas siphoning relies on gravity, and as long as there’s a slope, then it should work.
3. Is siphoning gas a crime?
If you’re siphoning gas from your own car, you’re obviously not committing a crime, but if you’re siphoning gas from another person’s car without their consent, that would be stealing and depending on how much gas you’ve stolen, you could be facing a misdemeanor or a felony charge.
