How to Drain a Fuel Tank in the RAV4?

There are numerous reasons you should drain your fuel tank, some of which are pretty obvious, like when you put the wrong fuel in the vehicle or when the fuel is too old. 

However, draining a fuel tank can be exhausting and often very complicated. But that is why you are here!

In this article, you will find out how to drain your RAV4 fuel tank and when you should do the procedure. 

Reasons Why You Need to Drain the Fuel Tank in Your RAV4

If you are wondering, ” How do you drain a Toyota fuel tank?” you are in the right place. 

For both methods, you will have to pop the gas tank. This is an easy task, and there shouldn’t be any problems!

Keep reading for more info!

1. Inappropriate or Subpar Fuel

First, if you fill your car with diesel instead of gasoline or vice versa, you might need to empty the fuel tank. 

Injector clogs and fuel pump damage from the incorrect fuel can cause an engine to stall or bog down.

On the other side, you can put the right gasoline in the tank only to discover that it is tainted with water, debris, or too much ethanol.

While getting faulty gas straight from the gas station is uncommon, it occasionally happens.

This is particularly true if severe floods in the neighborhood have contaminated the station’s gasoline tanks. In the gasoline tank, fuel can spoil if it isn’t utilized for longer than six months. Therefore, before starting your engine, you must empty it.

2. Repair of the Fuel Pump and Gas Tank

If you want to fix or replace the fuel pump, you might need to dump your gas tank first. In addition, you might have to remove the tank from some vehicles to reach the gasoline pump. 

Working with an empty tank in this situation is safer and makes more sense.

On some cars, you may remove the fuel pump system without removing the fuel tank by reaching up to the top of the tank. 

To prevent any health problems brought on by inhaling fuel vapor, you could still be necessary to drain the tank or complete the task when the gauge shows “empty” in this situation.

3. Cleaning the Tank

Sludge accumulation was a significant problem with older vehicles produced in the 1990s. 

Corrosion was the primary cause of this. First, the bottom of the metal tanks would gather dirt and rust. Later, this would choke the gasoline pump.

If your gasoline tank is clogged with sludge and you drive an older model, you might have to clean it. Your fueling system might be harmed if you don’t inspect it. 

Modern cars now have polyethylene tanks, which solves this issue.

Draining the Fuel Tank in RAV4: Step-by-Step

There are two methods you can use to drain a fuel tank. Let’s review them. 

1. Drain Your Fuel Tank on RAV4 Using a Siphon Pump

The first technique we’ll go through includes pouring petrol from the tank into a storage container using a shorthand pump with a siphon.

The things you have to prepare beforehand are: 

• Fuel storage container
• A long screwdriver with a tiny peak 
• A siphon pump
• A towel which you will use to wipe up the spills

In our opinion, this is the easiest way to drain a fuel tank. 

Step 1 is to continue driving the car as long as possible with the fuel level. The quantity of drainage required will be reduced as a result.

This won’t be workable in some circumstances, such as when a gasoline pump has broken, or the wrong fuel has been poured into the tank. 

In these situations, you should be aware that certain cars’ gasoline tanks may carry up to 18 gallons or more. 

Make sure you have extra fuel storage containers on hand if that much gasoline needs to be emptied. 

Step 2 is to feed the gasoline tank with the siphon pump tube. 

When ready to start, open the gasoline filler door, remove the fuel cap, and feed one end of the siphon pump tubing into the petrol tank through the fuel filler neck.

Have a qualified mechanic examine your fuel door if you discover that it won’t close or open.

The next step, step 3, is to pump the petrol into the fuel tank. 

When you notice fuel flowing through the tubing after feeding one end of the siphon pump tubing into the vehicle’s tank, provide the other end into your fuel storage tank.

Pump the hand pump continuously until the gasoline is completely gone and the tube is clear of fuel. Depending on how much fuel has to be emptied, this can take some time.

Step 4 is to store or dispose of the gasoline. 

Once all the fuel has been removed, carefully store or dispose of it, then either continue with your repairs or refuel your car with the appropriate fuel.

2. Drain Your Fuel Tank on RAV4 Using the Fuel Tank Drain Plug

For this draining of the fuel tank, you will need the following materials: 

•  Tools like screwdrivers
• Drain pan
• Some jack stands and the jack 
• Glasses for eye-protection
• Towel to clean up the spills
• Blocks, whichever, but the best choice is wood

Step 1 is to continue to drive the car as long as possible with the fuel level. 

Make sure you have adequate drain pans to hold the amount of petrol that has to be drained from your car if this isn’t possible.

Step 2 is to jack up a vehicle’s rear wheels and stabilize it on jack stands. Ensure the car is raised high enough to allow for movement below it.

To stop the car from rolling, apply wooden blocks.

Step 3 is to locate the drain stopper. 

Once the car has been elevated, put on your safety eyewear. Then, locate the drain plug on the vehicle’s underbelly. It should be situated on the bottom of the gasoline tank.

Step 4 is to unplug the drain. When ready, set a drain pan beneath the plug and loosen it.

Step 5 is to drain the petrol from the tank. First, loosen the drain stopper and then totally remove it by hand. Until the tank is empty, let the petrol drain.

Step 6 is to replace the drain cap and discard or store the gasoline. 

Reinstall the drain plug and properly dispose of or store the drained fuel when the fuel has been entirely drained. 

Be careful, and that is about it! Good luck with draining the fuel tank!