Wrong Fuel: How To Remove It Before It Causes Trouble
For When Things Go Wrong (And They Will)
For Everyone
Someone wasn't paying attention. Get me the pipe and DON'T turn that key!
Ok, so you finally picked up the wrong fuel pump and gave it some beans before realizing what the guys in the gas station were laughing at.
Now what?
Stop
No matter what you do, don't start the engine. Doing so will pull the wrong fuel into the system, causing untold headaches. As long as the fuel is only in the tank, it can be removed fairly easily, and it doesn't have to cause any problems at all.
Start Suckin'
Well, actually, jokes aside, you can just start sucking, as long as you already got yourself a barrel or other container of a sufficient size to contain all the fuel in your tank. Thanks to the wonders of plastic pipe technology, and a little thing called The Siphon Principle, you can start the fuel flowing back out of the tank and then just let it go, and the tank will eventually empty itself into the new container.
If you really do want to go Bronx on it, just make sure to use a clear tube, so you can see the fuel coming up the pipe and avoid an otherwise-inevitable after-dinner breath mint binge. But there is a better way. Times have moved on, and now, with the advent of the mechanical pump, we can finally stop sucking gas and fix this embarrassing problem with a bit of dignity. A bit, I said. You still put the wrong fuel in your van.
A mechanical fuel siphon doesn't take up much space. Just connect the power and start spinning.
Don't Get Stuck
If you don't happen to have the appropriate fuel siphoning technology to hand, ask the gas station attendant. They may well have something stashed away for such an occasion. I mean, think about it. Who is more likely to see this problem than a gas station attendant? And failing that, the nearest auto repair shop definitely has the gear. They need it as part of their service. So if you really need to call someone, these guys will probably be quicker and cheaper than the recovery service and you won't pay more next year for having used the service.
But seriously, read the label next time. :D