A lot depends on how much water was put in. So, how much water was put in? If it was only a quart or so, it may be possible to work this through the system, but if was more, the tank should be drained. The tank does not have to be drained to bone dry. A cupful or so remaining probably can be tolerated. It's too bad you can't siphon or pump it out.

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.

Thanks Jem - will pass on your info to my son. I don't know how much water went in, but it was about 5-6 gal of gas. The jug was capped, but sat beside the house (under the eaves) for the winter. So there was some exposure and condensation. Am assuming there couldn't have been too much water in it since it was capped.

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

1st off, if you went to a mechanic who told you to drill a hole in the tank to let the contents out, get another mechanic. How shade tree can you get? Geesh.

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

just curious. I believe the F-150's have an electronic fuel pump. Is it possible to disonnect the fuel line, put 12V to the pump and have the fuel pump, pump the tank "dry"?

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.

Hey you guys,

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

If you have fuel injection with an electric pump in the fuel tank, the fuel pump may not run more than 3 seconds after powering up with the key switch. It's a built-in safety. For the pump to comtinue to run, the engine computer must see a fuel pressure signal and a tachometer signal (engine running). However, if you can get the end of the drain line lower than the tank, it may siphon. You may have to loosen the fuel cap depending on how easy its air vent works. (The cap has a one way valve that lets air into the tank when the pressure inside the tank is less than atmosphere, that is, if it is not clogged.)

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.

**If you have fuel injection with an electric pump in the fuel tank, the fuel pump may not run more than 3 seconds after powering up with the key switch. It's a built-in safety.**

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.

I guess I was thinking, if you can access the power leads to pump and put 12V to it independent of the vehicle wiring, will it work?

just a thought.

I did the same thing on my 1997 f150. Disconnect the fuel line at the fuel filter, you may have to relieve the pressure on the line to do it and it requires a disconnect tool. Turn on the switch and the fuel pump will pump gas out of the tank with the water. do not run the starter very long or it will be damaged. After several short starter bursts most of the water should be out of the tank. install a new fuel filter and add some dryer to the tank should be ok but there will still be some water in the bottom of the tank. Utube has vids showing how to disconnect the fuel line and install a new filter. be sure the truck is sitting level when you do the starter cleanout.