Petrol in water tank

[Geordie]

Very stupidly, I started filling my water tank instead of the fuel tank /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif, so I now have petrol in the water tank (about 10 litres). The problem now is how to get it out safely. The tank is in the bottom of the boat and the boat is in the water so it cannot be syphoned out. I have investigated fuel pumps but none of them is suitable for petrol, only diesel. It would not bother me if the pump was damaged by using it with petrol. What does concern me is the danger of producing static electricity in the pump body.

Bailing it out manually with container or sponge would be dodgy because access is awkward but, more importantly, is through a locker open to fresh air only from the top. Fumes would therefore be trapped and contained in there. Danger of asphyxiation.

Does anyone know of a pump which can be safely used with petrol?

Geordie

 

[moodycruiser]

How about one of those inline pumps that are driven by an electric drill ??

 

[fisherman]

Fill the tank with water, petrol will float out, then use the bilge pump and collect it at the outlet.

 

[fisherman]

Disconnect the batteries first!

 

[fisherman]

And put some washing up liquid down there to emulsify the fuel.

 

[DAKA]

a hose left to drag in the water behind you will be a very effective siphon but you must not do this even out at sea.

Best to lift out and siphon.

 

[fisherman]

Alternatively, and possibly safer and cleaner. Rig a can of fuel on deck to run the engine by gravity, an outboard tank is effective. Then connect the water tank to the engine lift pump, or a flexible pipe dipped in the tank and to the lift pump inlet, and run the outlet to a can.

 

[neale]

You could use one of the Pela Suction pumps for changing oil. All plastic and no electric should allow safe removal.

 

[Kawasaki]

I bought an inline pump from a caravan chandlerey.
Extended the lecky wires stuck 2 "crocodile" clips on em.
Stuck a long piece of tube on the outlet end and have used it to pump out bilges and tanks. Just a thought.

 

[carlton]

Geordie - you're not the first and I suspect you won't be the last person to do this.

If you can get at your FW tank overflow pipe, remove it from the skin fitting inside the boat (keep it higher than the tank so it doesn't siphon out the contents into your bilge), insert it into a suitable jerry can/container, and get someone to fill your FW tank (with water, this time /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif ) until you've got a good few gallons out. You may need to do this a few times to be sure of getting all the fuel out, but theoretically at least, the fuel should be first out as its density is less than water and as such should be sitting on top.

After getting the bulk of it out, a couple of fills/empties using your standard water pump should finish the job.

 

[fisherman]

[ QUOTE ]
Geordie - you're not the first and I suspect you won't be the last person to do this.



[/ QUOTE ]

Close to my heart, this, only in my case I put oil in the engine header tank.

 

[ArthurWood]

<< Close to my heart, this, only in my case I put oil in the engine header tank. >>

And I know someone who filled his toilet holding tank and the head with petrol through the pump-out fitting.

 

[fisherman]

And have you heard the tale about some yob trying to syphon petrol from a camper van, from the toilet holding tank?

 

[Geordie]

Thanks to you all for your replies
Firstly,the use of common types of plastics. It has been known that the simple act of pouring petrol into or out of a common plastic container has generated an electrostatic spark which has ignited the petrol. Proper petrol cans are made of a special material which prevents that from happening. It is, in fact, illegal to store or transport petrol in containers made of common plastic.

Secondly, Jabsco make an inline pump driven by an electric drill which is suitable for diesel - but not petrol. Probably unsafe because of the electrostatic problem. The speed of flow would mean that I would have to use fuel grade hose.

fishermans' idea of using the engine pump would be messy, would take a long time and would probably carry its own risks. His idea of floating the petrol out, particularly as improved by carlton is the probable answer, and I will try that.
Since the water inlet is at the top of the tank, water will need to be only trickled in - or if I can get at the outlet pipe easily, which is at the bottom of the tank, fill that way.
When the bulk of the petrol is out, is the time to introduce washing up liquid.

Many thanks, again to all of you for your replies and understanding. I will let you know how I get on.

Geordie