Smelled gas again after the son filled up his 97 legacy L sedan. Found drips on the outside, just at the bottom of the "trap" (low spot in filler pipe).

 

Took the cover off and got about 3/4 cup of gas soaked dirt.

 

See picture

 

As you can see i have a new filler pipe, but tank is full

 

Any easy way to pump the tank empty?

 

He is leaving for college Saturday not much time to road trip to empty it out.

I have done this.

 

Had an old section or garden hose (that actually I keep to drain the old style water heaters occasionally.

 

Popped off the "incoming line at fuel filter and stuck that rubber hose into the garden hose that had a 5 gal can (yellow so I could see the level). I forget sometimes on VW or Subaru I need to hotwire the pump at the fuse block.

I had to do this last year. I got a whole replacement kit from Annapolis Subaru that they sell. You don't need to drain the gas tank. Yeah, there will be some leak out but the whole tank won't dump on you.

 

I can go ahead and warn you, It's not a fun job. I had a lot of trouble getting the clamps off. When you do get it replaced, throw the cover in the trash.

I can go ahead and warn you, It's not a fun job. I had a lot of trouble getting the clamps off. When you do get it replaced, throw the cover in the trash.

 

It's amazing how the little body spacer on an Outback makes this easier. Still not pleasant but easier than on an L.

Thanks Dave, was sort of thinking along those lines.

 

Anyone know for sure if the pump needs jumpered to run, or will it run with the key in the on position? With the line open it will not build much pressure so a limit switch should not be a factor.

 

Guess its time to start looking at the wiring diagrams.

Got home tonight looked and decided the easiest way to power the pump was to pull the back seat bottom and tap into the two pin connector that is there.

 

Pumped out about 10 gallons from the full tank. Pulled the fuel line off the filter outlet in the engine bay and ran a hose to a gas can. Only ran the pump for about 2 gallons at a time. Let it sit for awhile in-between, to make sure the pump did not get to hot.

 

Was feeling good about it until we tried to restart. Had to try short key ons to refill the lines. Then it started to run rough, idle smooth, but get rough with increased throttle. Then the low fuel light came on when the gauge said 1/4. Definately weird. Check engine light popped on also.

 

After repeated attempts it was smooth enough to go for it, up the road 1.5 miles to the shop. ran smooth, and low fuel light went out.

 

Any idea's?

It's amazing how the little body spacer on an Outback makes this easier. Still not pleasant but easier than on an L.

 

The problem I had was the clamp that attaches the neck to the hose going into the tank was at a an angle that only allowed for partial contact with my screw driver and nut drivers. It made the job annoyingly longer to complete.