Hey all. I'm pulling my engine, and I have what I feel is a major concern. My car is in my garage on jackstands with the steering shaft already pulled apart. I was just about to unhook my fuel lines at the back of the engine when over my shoulder I saw my hot water heater!

It scares the crap out of me that I will have fuel vapors within ten feet of my hot water heater, and I don't feel like blowing up my house! LOL. Am I worrying too much, or legitimately concerned? I would hate to have to reconnect the steering shaft, take the car off the stands, push it out of the garage and get a friend to help push it back in!

 

be sure to relieve pressure by depressing the schrader valve (maybe removing gas cap too). you may still get some fuel spillage when disconnecting the lines. I was close the hotwater heater too when taking mine out. Just to be sure, I took an old towel and put it in a ziplock bag, then once I disconnected the lines I stuck the ends in that bag with the towel and sealed it up.

 

pull the fuse for the fuel pump, start the car lines will run almost dry no spillage.

 

Good idea, but I'm using the battery in a truck I bought to drive while the car is down, and most of the wiring harness is already disconnected too. I'll definitely remember that for next time though (secretly hopes that next time is 18 years down the road). LOL.

 

I guess I'll just say my prayers and hope for the best. May buy a little fan too to push the air away from the water heater.

 

What kid of water heater you have? gas?

Should not be a big deal, just let the pressure off, keep it ventilated in there. I don't see how you could get fuel anywhere near the pilot. But I have seen people do some weird stuff

 

Haha. Yeah, it's gas. I wasn't worried so much about the GAS getting near the heater, but maybe the fumes working their way over there. Maybe I'm over-reacting. I just really like my house. LOL.

 

I think you will be alright. I wouldnt lose any sleep over it.

 

I would have a fan blowing the vapors out of the garage with the door open part way or all the way. Have the fan blowing away from the water heater.

 

smoke up!

 

Just not around open fuel lines!

 

He must have blew up (12sec97Z28) he hasent answer back haha BOOM!

 

LOL. Not yet. All I have left is the fuel lines, about 6 electrical connections, motor mounts and some odds and ends before I can yank the whole thing, so I'm waiting to do it all in one day when I have some friend power. They can also help me push it in and out of the garage! LOL.

 

Why are you heating your hot water?

You'll be fine. Just don't spray fuel AT the pilot.

 

I agree with the fan idea, but I'd go farther than that. I'm a police officer and personally responded to a fire that started in much the same way in which you describe. I wouldn't chance it, I'd kill the pilot light in the water heater until the fuel lines are made safe. It'll take a while for your hot water to cool down, and only minutes to heat it back up when you're finished. Good luck. Jason