siphoning gas

Hey everyone, my friend is having some problems with his Kia Spectra. He just got back after being away for a year (he's in the army) and he's had his car sitting in storage during that time. Well, him and I went to wal mart and bought a siphon to get all the gas out of his tank, since we assumed it would be best to do so and give it some fresh gas rather than use the old gas. But, when we tried to slide the small (about 3/4 in.) hose into the tank, it would go in pretty far, then it would just stop. As if it were running into a wall or something, like something was blocking the path. I blew into the hose to see if it was down in the gas, but all I got was lightheaded from the fumes. I'm not too familiar as to how gas tanks are setup or if there's an anit-siphon device in them. So if anyone can help me out, that'd be great. Thanks in advance.

In some gas tanks there is an anti siphoning device. Usually in newer cars there is.

if its been sitting for less than a year, the old gas should be fine

I thought some gas tanks had a valve or something to let out gas, I'm not sure but you might try looking for one. as for syphoning, don't know anything about that, sorry.

You might have to drain from underneath. Next time he goes away like this, have him put in a bottle of fuel stabilizer and fill the tank all the way.

Most cars after about 1980 have an anti-siphoning device. Some are a spring in the tube that just makes it tough and some are a screen that makes it darn near impossible. If you're an expert (can't believe I'm saying this) you could use the fuel pump to pump the gas out. It would involve "hotwiring" the fuel pump with the fuel line in a gas can. This is incredibly dangerous since you'll be dealing with temporary wiring and exposed gas and fumes.

Another idea (much safer if not a little slower) is to pull the fuel line free somewhere and install you're own length of rubber line into a gas can. Now you can take the gas cap off, stuff a rag in the opening, and using an air compressor with a blow gun apply gentle pressure to the tank. Don't seal off the tank with tape or anything; they're only designed to hold about 3 psi; hence the rag idea. It won't allow too much pressure to stay in the tank.

If you have an in-tank pump, the flow will be slow. If you don't, you should be able to do it pretty quickly.

the old gas will be fine, i've used 3 year old gas with no problem(well, that whole car was a problem)

if you must drain the tank there is no real safe way, but if you MUST i would find a fuel pressure tester with a drain port(normally used to pull fuel samples), no hacking into the lines

Disconnect the fuel line at the filter and hold it in a container while a friend turns on the key. No need to start. Be careful it will come out under high pressure.