Son is really upset and did a quick search on the web which says this is going to be a very "spendy" lesson w/ having to remove the truck bed to access/drain the gas tank, among other things.

He is going to some auto repair shops in town. However, I wanted to ask a larger audience to see what advice you might have and possible costs.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

RM

Here's what to do if only a small amount of water was added. Fill the tank to at least halfway or more and change the fuel filter. The fuel filter will not pass water and is likely blocking fuel flow at present. Add a can of fuel drier to the tank. Use the truck then refill the tank before it gets no lower than 1/4 tank. Add a can of fuel drier again. After this, add a can fuel drier per tank of fuel for the next 4 tanks or so.

Son went to see a mechanic about an easier solution. Get this, the mechanic says to drain the gas by punching a small hole in the gas tank then sealing it w/ a screw. I'm not an expert, but this sounds like a rather odd advice, but what do I know?? Mechanic said he's already done this several times and told my son he could do this himself. Told my son to hold off till he got more info.

Thanks,
RM

2nd, I'm not familiar with your truck, but I don't think I've seen one where you'd have to remove the bed to drop the tank. Good news is I don't think you'd have to regardless.

I pretty much agree with jemdandy. How much water do you estimate is in there? Is this truck fuel injected? Does it still run?

If it's just a little water, a fuel system cleaner like jemdandy talks about should do it. If you want to drain the contents, you can get a siphon type pump for probably $10 to get most of it. If it's fuel injected, find a place where the fuel line is easy to get to, a fitting, the filter, whatever. Open the line at that point using flare nut wrenches only, either slip some kind of hose, fuel, vacuum, whatever, it's just temporary so it doesn't matter, over the end of the fuel line and run it to whatever container you're going to drain the contents into. Turn on the key, and the vehicles own fuel pump should drain the fuel. Good time to replace the fuel filter. Get some fuel system cleaner and re-fill the tank. Should be good to go. Main thing is don't panic. It shouldn't be that big of a deal. jmo

I agree with gary_ that I'd question any mechanic that said punch a hole in the tank and then seal it. Just sounds worng to me.

Thanks for your responses. This issue doesn't seem so bad afterall. And yes, the advice to punch a hole just sounded so wrong - even to someone like me w/ no car knowlege.

sdello - the truck does have an electronic fuel pump. My son will take your advice as well as the others in fixing the problem instead of the "pop-n-plug" method.

RM

I hesitated to mention methods of draining the tank preferring to leave that to a professional. Be very careful! Gasoline vapors can be easily ignited. It takes only a static spark, or spark off a tool to ignite.

Yep, good point. I forgot about that part. Otherwise in the event of a crash one might end up with an F-150 flame thrower. I'm thinking that wouldn't be a good thing.

just a thought.