Siphoning from my gas tank (trying to)
- Thread starter MarkEva
- Start date
how long of a hose are you using??
why do you need to siphon?
why do you need to siphon?
DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
How far down do you suppose it's getting?
Doesn't matter anyway. In a modern vehicle you will not being able to siphon fuel from the filler tube. There's a check valve at the bottom that will block you. It's called a rollover check valve, it prevents fuel going out if you're upside down. It's not intended for theft prevention, they'd just drill your tank to drain it.
It'll be like this, #13 on the diagram and looks like this.
Doesn't matter anyway. In a modern vehicle you will not being able to siphon fuel from the filler tube. There's a check valve at the bottom that will block you. It's called a rollover check valve, it prevents fuel going out if you're upside down. It's not intended for theft prevention, they'd just drill your tank to drain it.
It'll be like this, #13 on the diagram and looks like this.
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Inukshuk
Rising Sun Member
Its a cool thing to think about. Could possibly disconnect a line. Every vehicle will be different.
In an 80 its relatively easy to take the fuel pump assembly out and then could get a hose in the tank. There is a drain plug, but I'd hate to not get that back in. Fuel pressure regulator is easy to unscrew, but without looking I am not sure how I'd capture fuel from that spot.
In a 100 it is easy to disconnect the fuel filter hose in the engine bay.
This is the best way to share fuel. Lots of brands, I like Scepter.
MaficTrailRider
Brand New
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2026
- Messages
- 2
Interesting thread! I was worried about being siphoned so I bought a lockable gas cap. It sounds like unnecessary thing for me to do.
New here, and have a related question! I am looking for a good spare gas can that fits in the bed of 2025 Tacoma under the tonneau cover. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. The reason is I am trying to be as “compact” as possible so will not hang them outside on the bed rack.
New here, and have a related question! I am looking for a good spare gas can that fits in the bed of 2025 Tacoma under the tonneau cover. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. The reason is I am trying to be as “compact” as possible so will not hang them outside on the bed rack.
Johnny Utah
Rising Sun Member
Wavian makes a 10 liter jerry can. Not cheap but better than a rotopax.
Inukshuk
Rising Sun Member
I am a big fan of Waivan cans. I have many. Zero failures or leaks in 25+ years.
That said, I also use 2.5 gal Rotopax. The smaller containers are easy to handle. Though you are not supposed to lie them flat on a roof, that is what I do. Sure, they swell some in heat and shrink in cold. Zero leaks in 10+ years. I retired two early old-style ones where I saw cracks at the part where they interlock, but they never failed. Squirrels have gnawed at the new one. Not caused a failure.. I keep them full and outside.
Corbet likes Scepter. Many do. I was never a fan. I have never owned any. Waivan woks for me.
Many brackets for Rotopax. Some for Waivans / Scepter.
If I wanted a fill and forget it for a while under a tonneau cover, Waivan.
Ethanol free gas with a bit of STA-BIL in it is good for a year or two, though in practice I usually rotate through faster.
That said, I also use 2.5 gal Rotopax. The smaller containers are easy to handle. Though you are not supposed to lie them flat on a roof, that is what I do. Sure, they swell some in heat and shrink in cold. Zero leaks in 10+ years. I retired two early old-style ones where I saw cracks at the part where they interlock, but they never failed. Squirrels have gnawed at the new one. Not caused a failure.. I keep them full and outside.
Corbet likes Scepter. Many do. I was never a fan. I have never owned any. Waivan woks for me.
Many brackets for Rotopax. Some for Waivans / Scepter.
If I wanted a fill and forget it for a while under a tonneau cover, Waivan.
Ethanol free gas with a bit of STA-BIL in it is good for a year or two, though in practice I usually rotate through faster.
DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
I use Scepter MFC gasoline cans but I wouldn't say they're the best ever. I went with them originally because my Blitz cans were rusting, which I didn't like.
Scepters swell and contract, they will weep a little. So a couple of things I find are important if you do find real military (the consumer Scepters are totally different) ones to use.
One is having Specter model 4856 fill spout. This thing will empty the 20L in maybe a minute or so.
scepter.com
The other thing you need with Scepter MFC cans is better seals. The factory plastic cap flange breaks and even when it's good they weep. The JAGMTE aluminum one is infinitely better.
jagmte.com
Add his cap wrench and you will never get leaks or weeping nor will you ever get a case where the can has cooled and the cap is locked tight from the vacuum.
jagmte.com
At this point since Scepter MFCs not being blessed by the safety overlords make them expensive, add in the need for the upgrades. It's an expensive proposition.
I have a couple of Wavian NATO cans around that I got recently. As cans go they're probably better. You don't need special caps and wrenches to keep them from leaking. I haven't really used them other than garage storage because my carrier is sized for the Scepter and the Wavians rattle around more.
Not sure about spouts. Got a Valpro like I guess the British military uses and it seems to work pretty well but I still prefer the Scepter spout.
Scepters swell and contract, they will weep a little. So a couple of things I find are important if you do find real military (the consumer Scepters are totally different) ones to use.
One is having Specter model 4856 fill spout. This thing will empty the 20L in maybe a minute or so.
Military Fuel Can Spout - 3/4" / 19 mm - Scepter
The Scepter Military Fuel Can (MFC) pour spout was designed to fit on both the 5G / 20 L and /2.5G / 1L MFC. Ideal for filling onboard tanks.
scepter.com
The other thing you need with Scepter MFC cans is better seals. The factory plastic cap flange breaks and even when it's good they weep. The JAGMTE aluminum one is infinitely better.
Aluminum Cap Flange with Viton Gasket
Finally! The LAST FLANGE YOU WILL EVER BUY! Bullet proof your Scepter Military Fuel Can. This flange makes the Scepter MFC what it always should have been. An extremely durable, dependable and worry free way to transport fuel under harsh and demanding circumstances. The flange is milled from...
jagmte.com
Add his cap wrench and you will never get leaks or weeping nor will you ever get a case where the can has cooled and the cap is locked tight from the vacuum.
Scepter MFC FUEL Wrench
***IMPORTANT***This is for the Military FUEL cans and will NOT work on the military WATER cans. WATER WRENCH is available HERE. The Original M.F.C. Cap Wrench — precision-fit for Scepter Military Fuel Cans Stop fighting swollen cans, fouled threads, and over-tightened caps. Our USA-made MFC Cap...
jagmte.com
At this point since Scepter MFCs not being blessed by the safety overlords make them expensive, add in the need for the upgrades. It's an expensive proposition.
I have a couple of Wavian NATO cans around that I got recently. As cans go they're probably better. You don't need special caps and wrenches to keep them from leaking. I haven't really used them other than garage storage because my carrier is sized for the Scepter and the Wavians rattle around more.
Not sure about spouts. Got a Valpro like I guess the British military uses and it seems to work pretty well but I still prefer the Scepter spout.
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What Dave said above. Although once I got a cap wrench I didn’t have any weeping with the factory caps. You just can’t get them tight enough by hand. I got most of mine before the EPA 
‘ed them so I didn’t pay the current premium. I have enough to last my lifetime, maybe my son’s as well so don’t see myself switching out.
I’ll also echo there are Scepter MIlitary Fuel Cans (MFC) and there are scepter consumer fuel cans. MFC are the good ones. This is a good deal in today’s market. https://www.ebay.com/itm/168043579289?_trkparms=itmf=1&aid=1110018&rkt=12&asc=20201210111451&mech=1&algv=CompVIDesktopATF2V6ReplaceKnnV4WithVectorDbNsOptHotPlRecallWithSiblingFilterCpcRecalls&pmt=1&amclksrc=ITM&sd=376438076997&sid=AQALAAAAECKVvWRn56srU7Vr7r0WJ58=&itm=168043579289&noa=0&plcampt=0:13506563019&algo=HOMESPLICE.COMPLISTINGS&ao=1&rk=2&pid=101196&b=1&mehot=none&lsid=0&meid=0ac05a70f91f403ab61a5e1edb174a90&pg=2332490&_trksid=p2332490.c101196.m2219&itmprp=cksum:1680435792890ac05a70f91f403ab61a5e1edb174a90|enc:AQALAAABMG%2F4sd0snwJnv81fl8FcciOVkJJKsapzWEBwEzP3T1mKZ9WiaeV2kZNRn45y7sSRHRHm9bWdgirAyBMYxj3wGlazCHsgk9BKHYxXgbiMoQSXnD45RzGhdBj13I7S1l2VUDszpEraEozKc00Yfx4e0RosmjNSjOgpsSh0f1lMMgZto7Ya3ac4rJtHrOXKjjVZMgrHhLS9Yu0OS12OrH9nYjKOvWU19KZodmOsmYgwjxdzAQF1OwVpKZAKyn48DhgDbihgrp4IJVDJOcIynf3xpKqkCngXApzuRKD%2BjU1BR9866Z%2Fb0ODSIkbX3dRDQPinNM4i%2BRS9VgH5ufrk8srHbZHyGUcd%2BaxoB9wdywyEmIE341iaZSR3k%2B1JXlhT91GT%2BY73qDx%2Ff49%2FHriTWzyPdZQ%3D|ampid
L_CLK|clp:2332490&itmmeta=01KKRXVT23C72MYQ29ZT7G04CR
If you go this route you need the Viton gaskets for gas. They more often are supplied with rubber gaskets for diesel. Rubber gaskets will definitely leak if used with gas. If the can has a red cap strap it most likely will have the Viton gasket. If yellow or matches the can expect rubber but always confirm. All these parts are available individually making it really easy to service a MFC. More often than not now through eBay but there are individuals who bootleg them out of Canada.
@CardinalFJ60 https://www.ebay.com/itm/263778188956?_skw=scepter+mfc&itmmeta=01KKRWVDZ03YS8XV1XC1F5KE86&hash=item3d6a67be9c:g:7hMAAOSwc15bMHpD&itmprp=enc:AQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xBxLVYd1Ekg9rI+3ETe6oDtrkedWitu0h8qhEuiXZphh7cduRvuvaf3KE+B4yc56O2nX79/cVaSBg85dIKc8JNgchS3c9AagX4D6Yy/dYBEOquPifMNmJXmAlBE0LHnZbFwirb4wVTrx72bYWlIxIH2GET7waCxTQAxvAOejSF1C7nfHyRFcYCPQUcNwqHSgUtxnQ4cJZSiRZj+V9sdPuSNb1JJJZdIS6vlbKzpjexZhaTO3Jxi5VDqI9bgcDOXfB8=|tkp:Bk9SR9Df7ZyeZw
None of this addresses the fitment under a Tacoma’s tonneau cover. I can’t speak to this myself. All I can offer for advice is that you secure them somehow so they don’t move around. Simply ratchet strap or OLAF bracket.
‘ed them so I didn’t pay the current premium. I have enough to last my lifetime, maybe my son’s as well so don’t see myself switching out.I’ll also echo there are Scepter MIlitary Fuel Cans (MFC) and there are scepter consumer fuel cans. MFC are the good ones. This is a good deal in today’s market. https://www.ebay.com/itm/168043579289?_trkparms=itmf=1&aid=1110018&rkt=12&asc=20201210111451&mech=1&algv=CompVIDesktopATF2V6ReplaceKnnV4WithVectorDbNsOptHotPlRecallWithSiblingFilterCpcRecalls&pmt=1&amclksrc=ITM&sd=376438076997&sid=AQALAAAAECKVvWRn56srU7Vr7r0WJ58=&itm=168043579289&noa=0&plcampt=0:13506563019&algo=HOMESPLICE.COMPLISTINGS&ao=1&rk=2&pid=101196&b=1&mehot=none&lsid=0&meid=0ac05a70f91f403ab61a5e1edb174a90&pg=2332490&_trksid=p2332490.c101196.m2219&itmprp=cksum:1680435792890ac05a70f91f403ab61a5e1edb174a90|enc:AQALAAABMG%2F4sd0snwJnv81fl8FcciOVkJJKsapzWEBwEzP3T1mKZ9WiaeV2kZNRn45y7sSRHRHm9bWdgirAyBMYxj3wGlazCHsgk9BKHYxXgbiMoQSXnD45RzGhdBj13I7S1l2VUDszpEraEozKc00Yfx4e0RosmjNSjOgpsSh0f1lMMgZto7Ya3ac4rJtHrOXKjjVZMgrHhLS9Yu0OS12OrH9nYjKOvWU19KZodmOsmYgwjxdzAQF1OwVpKZAKyn48DhgDbihgrp4IJVDJOcIynf3xpKqkCngXApzuRKD%2BjU1BR9866Z%2Fb0ODSIkbX3dRDQPinNM4i%2BRS9VgH5ufrk8srHbZHyGUcd%2BaxoB9wdywyEmIE341iaZSR3k%2B1JXlhT91GT%2BY73qDx%2Ff49%2FHriTWzyPdZQ%3D|ampid
L_CLK|clp:2332490&itmmeta=01KKRXVT23C72MYQ29ZT7G04CRIf you go this route you need the Viton gaskets for gas. They more often are supplied with rubber gaskets for diesel. Rubber gaskets will definitely leak if used with gas. If the can has a red cap strap it most likely will have the Viton gasket. If yellow or matches the can expect rubber but always confirm. All these parts are available individually making it really easy to service a MFC. More often than not now through eBay but there are individuals who bootleg them out of Canada.
@CardinalFJ60 https://www.ebay.com/itm/263778188956?_skw=scepter+mfc&itmmeta=01KKRWVDZ03YS8XV1XC1F5KE86&hash=item3d6a67be9c:g:7hMAAOSwc15bMHpD&itmprp=enc:AQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xBxLVYd1Ekg9rI+3ETe6oDtrkedWitu0h8qhEuiXZphh7cduRvuvaf3KE+B4yc56O2nX79/cVaSBg85dIKc8JNgchS3c9AagX4D6Yy/dYBEOquPifMNmJXmAlBE0LHnZbFwirb4wVTrx72bYWlIxIH2GET7waCxTQAxvAOejSF1C7nfHyRFcYCPQUcNwqHSgUtxnQ4cJZSiRZj+V9sdPuSNb1JJJZdIS6vlbKzpjexZhaTO3Jxi5VDqI9bgcDOXfB8=|tkp:Bk9SR9Df7ZyeZw
None of this addresses the fitment under a Tacoma’s tonneau cover. I can’t speak to this myself. All I can offer for advice is that you secure them somehow so they don’t move around. Simply ratchet strap or OLAF bracket.
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DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
I overlooked the tonneau question.
FWIW I grabbed one of the carriers Nick (Sheepnick1 on TacomaWorld) makes as a base to modify for my swingout. It's an OK carrier, neither love it or hate it but it's a one-man operation in Virginia and that seemed like a good thing to support.
Anyway, he mentions fitment in the bed under the covers, maybe this helps.
Tonneau Cover Fitment
Fits with "on-top" tonneau cover brands. There are too many different tonneau covers to list here which ones fit. If your cover sits on top of the bed rails of your truck and NOT ON THE INSIDE EDGE than you should be good to go. Just to repeat Taco Jerry will not fit if your Tonneau cover sits...
tacojerry.com