Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Tools need to unhook a gas pump?

Since I'm still doing this in the field, I thought I would post Step by Step instructions, to safely remove a gas pump. It might come in handy for future reference. Also note, that live gas pump removals, should be done by someone licensed to do so.

Bring a helper along, as it will make the job much easier and safer.
Depending on how long the pump has been sitting idle, there might still be gas in the pump and the suction line...so treat it like it was still being used...Also, if there is still traffic driving by the pump island, protect yourself!

1- Park your vehicle beside the pump island and set traffic cones in front and rear of vehicle, and opposite side of island.
2- Turn off circuit breaker and lock out . Check to make sure pump does not turn on.
3- Remove electrical junction box cover, and check all wires with voltage meter, to confirm there is no power.
4- At this point remove electrical feed wires if possible, and cap. If feed wires are in rigid conduit, you may have to wait until pump is completely disconnected, before you can remove them.
5-If pump is lagged to concrete, remove lag bolts at this point. ( Lag bolts are usually installed through pump base).
6- Place oil absorbent matts or absorbent, under pump and around suction pipe.
7- Drain product from pumping unit if possible,( usually through suction screen).A metal container placed directly under screen cap, (like a square cake pan) works good to contain the gas
8- Disconnect union on suction pipe.
9- Slowly tilt the pump back,( while your Helper is holding it on the other side)and let gas drain out onto absorbent material.
10- Remove electrical( if it hasn't already been removed in step 4). Cap and secure all wires.
11- While the pump is tilted, walk the pump back until it clears all piping and electrical, then set it down, keeping absorbent material under union.
12- Remove half union from pump and install cap. ( usually 1.5" to 2" ).
13- Remove other half of union from suction pipe and cap. ( usually 1.5" to 2" ).
14- Clean up absorbent material and properly dispose.
15- Load pump and secure for transportation.

Note: While I didn't go into every detail of the pump removal, these steps will ensure you do it safely.

That's good for Busted Knuckles & PVC Pipe! Whether it works or not, Return for refund on Monday. Better off to buy a used Ridgid at a garage sale/2nd hand store [it'll last another life time].

That's good for Busted Knuckles & PVC Pipe! Whether it works or not, Return for refund on Monday. Better off to buy a used Ridgid at a garage sale/2nd hand store [it'll last another life time].

When ya need one quick this will work. Then I will make a yard ornament out of it.

Ron, of course it is up to you... But, I've been around the block more than a few times... As has db and Mick...

I've seen the "aftermath" of such wrenches in use.... In the form of broken arms, hands, teeth knocked out and worse when the jaws on such wrenches break or slip or both and the person using the wench either gets hit in the face by a broken piece or they lose their balance and crash into something much harder than their body....

As a young man (11 or 12) I watched my Dad use a cheap pipe wrench on our Allis-Chalmers Crawler. The jaws broke and my Dad ended up getting over 40 stitches in his hands and lower arms... (I passed out because of all the blood)

Found this on a farm yesterday. Used a pipe wrench to remove the main coupling... There was still electric wires to the pump, flipped the breaker and cut those... Fortunately the farmer didn't mount this to a slab.



After removal, put a 1/2 " cap over the remaining pipe.

Stuff is still out there...