How do I remove generator fuel lines with no mess?

[belfert]

I need to remove my generator to install a slide.  How do I remove the fuel lines from the generator without making making a mess of diesel fuel everywhere?  Since the lines come from the top of the tank will they quit draining once the lines are empty, or will I have a siphon effect?

[bevans6]

A siphon works by atmospheric pressure on the surface of the liquid in the higher container, plus gravity pulling the liquid down into the lower container.  So if your fuel line output is lower than the level the fuel in the tank and the fuel line is full so gravity can pull the fuel down, and the top of the fuel tank is open to atmosphere, you can get a siphon effect.  You can stop it by sealing the top of the tank so there is no atmospheric pressure pushing on the top of the fuel in the tank, by raising the level of the output of the fuel line above the level of the fuel in the tank, or by using compressed air to blow the fuel in the line back into the tank, breaking the siphon effect of gravity on the fuel inside the line.  Or you can pinch off a flexible fuel line with a set of vise grips, or stuff a golf tee into the end of the line if it's a hard line, or have a bucket handy, or quickly slip a flexible tightish fitting hose over the end of the line with it's end up higher than the fuel level in the tank.  I've either tried or done most of those at one time or other.  Some of them even worked...

Brian

[grantgoold]

Can you simply take a pair of Vice grips and crimp the line temporarily to shut down any fuel flow or siphon effect? Can the lines be capped? What about run the genset until you are out of fuel

[belfert]

Vise grips would work and I even have two of them.  I guess it really doesn't matter too much if I wreck the fuel lines as I need new ones that are longer anyhow.  I used vise grips last month to seal off a gas line on a mower, but I knew the line had to be replaced then too.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Whittle a stick to the right size, put it in and put a hose clamp around it. You will have a small loss of fuel as you are first unhooking the line but can use a container to catch it.

[Dave5Cs]

3/8" OR 5/8" ( DEPENDING ON WHICH RUBBER LINE SIZE YOU HAVE)BOLT JUST THREAD IT IN DONE!....

[gus]

Hold the open hose end higher than the tank, plugged or not it won't leak.

[luvrbus]

I know you don't care about the old fuel line a way I do it if I don't have a enough pinching pliers is use 2 bolts laid across the hose and clamp the vise grips downs that method leaves no marks or cuts fwiw     

[dickegler]

For 1/4" or smaller I use a golf tee.

[gus]

A couple of layers of tape on the vice grip jaws works.

[Pvoth]

hose over the vise grip jaws works super good..........first post....wah hoo!