tl;dw:
Modern cars are not as easy to siphon gas out of. You’re going to need a narrow, semi-rigid tube to get past any check valve. Make sure this tube is long enough to reach the bottom of the tank.
Of course, if you’re not concerned about the car, you can punch a hole in the bottom of the tank and capture the fuel that way, but you’ll certainly waste some fuel.
@horse_battery_staple makes an excellent point: If you are uncertain about the quality of the fuel you are siphoning - whether that be because of its age, contaminants (rust/water), or if it has two stroke oil in it, be aware that the vehicle you run the fuel in may run badly, and you may incur mechanical problems, either in the short or long term. Generally speaking, “she’ll run,” especially if you’re cutting the acquired fuel with known good fuel, but you should consider this as an “oh shit” option.
If one needed gasoline in a pinch they could look in suburban backyard sheds for the fuel cans people use for their lawn equipment. Most often secured by easily defeatable padlocks or nothing at all.
Check for the color of the gas. Lots of two stroke fuel in those sheds.
A little 2T oil ain’t gonna hurt anything. The video also mentions gas “going bad” after about three months. While it’s true that gasoline loses its combustibility over time, you’d be surprised at what fuel you can still run. The engine may not like it, but it might go, especially if you’re mixing old gas with newer.
High compression low displacement engines don’t run well on 2T. So basically every cheap economy car made since the 80’s. Especially if it’s the only fuel it’s starting on.
Sure, pure fresh gas will be better, but old 2T will probably still fire.
And cheap economy cars don’t have high compression. They run fine on 87. What will give you more issue is all the emissions/sensors, and especially fuel injection. Carburetors are more forgiving of less than ideal fuel.
You’re right they don’t have high compression vs a motorcycle but it’s definitely more than a V8 or most high displacement V6s. I’m just trying to let people know of the risks of running 2T in an engine not designed for it is all.
And yeah EFI or Direct Injection motors could clog if running enough 2T through the narrow high pressure injectors.
Oh right right - but I figure if you’re siphoning fuel out of something to use in a car, you have a short term and/or emergency need that you are probably willing to sacrifice some long term reliability for.
Agreed. Hopefully folk don’t have to use this advice more than once if at all. Thanks for putting up the post.
Edited the main post with an appropriate warning, thanks for making me think about it.
I pour old/unused unleaded and 2T oil in my truck’s full tank. Chews right through it.