Believe it or not, knowing how to pour gasoline with a hose is not just a thing for criminals! This is a skill that can be extremely useful in many situations, such as when you find yourself out of gas and away from a gas station, when you need to hospitalize a vehicle for the winter, or when you simply want to fill up your lawnmower tank without having to go. at the petrol pump. Read on to learn how to refill gas with just one or two pieces of plastic tubing and an empty can. Note: this technique does not work for those tanks that have a special valve to prevent this type of gasoline "drawing" (although often these are simple valves to open with a screwdriver).
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Creating Pressure in the Reservoir
Step 1. Find a jerrycan or other closed container to pour the gasoline into
A normal tank with an adequate capacity for your needs will do just fine; just make sure it can close, as gasoline gases are dangerous to your health and you don't want to overflow. Remember that it is not wise at all, quite dangerous to carry fuel in a pail or other open container.
Step 2. Find or purchase a 2.5 cm diameter clear plastic tube
This technique involves sucking the gasoline through the tube to transfer it into the new container. It is best to use a transparent tube so you can monitor the flow of gasoline. However, considering the fact that this method has a low risk of fuel ending up in the mouth, even a dull pipe is fine.
For this method you need two pieces of hose, one long enough to reach the bottom of the tank and another long enough to fish in the tank. You can get two pieces of pipe or cut a long one into two sections
Step 3. Place the can on the ground, near the car's tank opening
The siphon technique works thanks to the force of gravity, once the gasoline begins to flow into the tube, it will continue to do so until the tube is at a lower level than the tank. For this reason it is more convenient to put the tank on the ground, just under the tank.
Step 4. Slide both tubes into the tank opening
Push the longer one deep (keeping the other end in the tank). The opening of this tube that "fishes" in the tank must be completely submerged in the fuel. Since you cannot directly check where the end of the tube is, you can check by gently blowing (so as not to inhale the vapors) and listening to the "hum" of the bubbles. At this point, also insert the shorter tube of a few centimeters into the tank.
Step 5. With a rag, seal the opening of the tank
This technique uses the increased pressure inside the tank to transfer the gasoline through the longer tube. To generate this pressure it is necessary that no air comes out. So get an old rag or cloth you don't mind getting dirty and wrap it around the tubes to create a seal. The rag must adhere well to the pipes without compressing them, to prevent it from preventing the flow of gasoline or air.
If you have trouble making an airtight seal, try soaking the rag with water and wringing it out before wrapping it around the pipes. Wet cloths are usually a more effective barrier than dry ones
Step 6. When ready, force the air into the tank
Make sure the end of the longer hose is inside the tank and then blow into the shorter hose to increase the pressure inside the tank. You can blow the air by mouth (in this case do not inhale near the tank to avoid inhaling the gasoline vapors), but you will have a better result if you use a mechanical pump. Forcing air into the shorter tube increases the pressure in the tank thus forcing the gasoline to escape from the longer tube.
If you are having difficulty, check the airtight seal around the pipes. It is essential that the only air entering the tank is that blown through the short tube
Step 7. Check the fuel flow
As you blow into the tank you should see the gas flowing down the long tube and from there into the can (assuming you are using a clear tube). Once the fuel flows freely, you don't have to keep blowing because gravity will do the rest. When you have extracted all the gasoline you need, block the flow by closing the tube with your thumb, lift the end above the level of the tank and then remove your finger. The residual gasoline that is in the pipe will return to the tank. Congratulations! You are done and you can remove the tubes from the nozzle.
If the gas does not go back into the tank when you are finished, make sure the short hose is not blocked and, if necessary, remove the airtight seal of rags. In this way the air will come out of the tank and the petrol will be able to re-enter it
Method 2 of 3: With a Pump Tube
Step 1. Purchase or obtain a pump hose
If you prefer not to work with improvised pipes, there are specific tools on the market with a price ranging from 10 to 15 euros. These pumps are available in various models, both automatic and manual, but basically use the same principle. The pump located in the middle of the tube creates a suction force that makes the liquid flow from one end of the tube to the other.
These pump hoses allow you to proceed safely and easily to the transfer of petrol without getting your hands dirty or exposing yourself to dangerous fumes. These are very useful tools for the more cautious people
Step 2. Place the tank on the ground, under the tank and connect the two containers with the pump hose
Just like the other methods described in this article, also in this case the suction is only necessary to start the pouring process. Once the fuel has started flowing, gravity will do the rest. That is why it is so important that the tank is lower than the tank.
Note: The pump tube has one end dedicated to the liquid inlet and one to the outlet. Make sure you place each end in the correct container. If you put it upside down it will pump air into the tank
Step 3. Run the pump when ready
Since each model has its own specific modes of operation, the exact operations you will need to perform may be slightly different. If you have a manual model, you need to grab the piston by pulling and pushing it or there may be a bulb that you need to squeeze. If, on the other hand, the pump is mechanical, it will be sufficient to press a switch.
- Most hand pumps only require a couple of movements before the liquid begins to flow freely.
- The automatic ones may or may not be left on during all stages of the transfer. Consult the instruction booklet for further details.
Step 4. When you have almost reached the amount of fuel you want to transfer, lift the end of the hose or the whole can to stop the flow
This action brings the outlet end of the hose higher than the tank and the gasoline flow reverses direction. If you are using an automatic pump, you will need to turn it off at this point.
Step 5. Remove the pump hose from the car
When it no longer contains gasoline residues, you can safely take it out of the tank. You are done and you can close both the tank and the nozzle of the car. Remember to disassemble the pump tube and store it carefully.
Some pump hose models need to be cleaned after use. Consult the instruction booklet, often washing with soapy water and air drying is required
Method 3 of 3: Mouth (Not Recommended)
Step 1. Be aware that gasoline is poisonous and dangerous
This liquid contains numerous chemical compounds called hydrocarbons which are deadly to humans. Ingesting fuel or inhaling its vapors causes a variety of unpleasant symptoms, even death. These include difficulty in breathing, localized irritation, loss of vision, stomach pain, vomiting (sometimes with blood), sleepiness, cognitive difficulties and much more. If you are going to practice this method, take all necessary precautions to make sure you are not swallowing gasoline or inhaling the vapors.
If, for some reason, you have been exposed to gasoline and show any of the above symptoms, call 911 or your local poison control center immediately
Step 2. Get a 2.5cm diameter clear tube and resealable container
As with the previous methods, you need a hose and a container with a lid into which you can transfer the gasoline. This is very important to prevent the fuel from overflowing or you can breathe in the poisonous gases. Also, for this method, a clear plastic tube is not only recommended but compulsory. Since ingesting fuel is bad for your health, you need to be able to see how far the gasoline is in the pipe so that you can move your mouth out of the way before it reaches the flow.
Step 3. Insert one end of the hose into the vehicle's tank
Place the empty can on the ground near the tank. Make sure the hose is inserted deep so that it is below the fuel level. To see if it has been placed correctly, blow air from the other end and listen for the gurgling bubbles (be careful not to inhale the vapors).
Step 4. Put the free end of the tube in your mouth
For this method you will need to create a suction force with your mouth to drain the liquid from the reservoir to the can. Once the gasoline starts flowing, gravity will do the rest. You must be very careful not to ingest neither the liquid nor its vapors. Just breathe through your nose and pay attention to the level of gas in the tube.
Step 5. Keep your fingers close to your lips so you are ready to clamp the tube before the liquid can enter your mouth
When you start sucking into the tube, the liquid will flow quickly. Get ready to block it.
Step 6. Suck inside the tube and check the flow of gasoline as it flows
To minimize (unfortunately without eliminating) the risk of inhaling toxic gases, try to suck with your mouth and not with your lungs, just like you smoke a cigar and not a cigarette. When the fuel starts flowing, it will do so quickly, so stay alert. When the gas is six inches from your lips, click the hose closely near the end and move it away from the mouth.
Step 7. Check for air bubbles in the tube
During these operations the bubbles represent a fairly common obstacle that prevents the normal flow of petrol; as a result you feel compelled to suck harder, increasing the risk of ingestion. If you see air bubbles in the hose, release the choke and return the gas to the tank. Try again.
Try to put the hose in a position where you can suck directly above the tank. Some say that bubbles are more common when the tube is turned to the side rather than up or down
Step 8. Hold the end of the tubing in the reservoir and release the restriction
The fuel begins to flow into the tank and, at this point, gravity will keep the flow constant. Check that the gasoline is flowing at a steady rate.
Step 9. When you have poured the required amount of gasoline, lift the hose straight up
This will stop the flow and allow the residual liquid to fall into the tank safely. Take into account the remaining space left in the tank and don't wait too long before stopping the flow as you could overflow the gasoline.
Alternatively, simply cover the free end of the tube and lift it past the height of the tank. Gravity will cause the liquid to flow back into the car. You can also simply lift the tank with the hose inside to achieve the same effect
Step 10. Remove the hose from the tank once all the fuel has been transferred
Are you done! Close the tank and can to avoid inhaling gasoline vapors.
Warnings
- Be careful not to get gasoline in your mouth. Use only tubes through which you can see the content. Inhaling or ingesting gasoline can be very dangerous indeed.
- The fumes you can inhale are bad for your lungs and can make you really sick. If you prefer, use a pump hose.
- Be careful that the petrol does not overflow.
