7 year old fuel
- Thread starter Spetz
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You can't add stabilizer to magically fix old gas.
You really should drain the entire system and re-fill with new fuel.
You really should drain the entire system and re-fill with new fuel.
Depends how full the tank is, and if it has water in it. I would try to drain it out before trying to start it. It might plug up and injecter or carb. I had an old car that would start and idle with the old gas in it, but wanted to stall if you put it in gear.,,
At 7 years you probably want to drain the tank and add new, but I have heard that you can lower a hose into the fuel through the fill nozzle and pump some propane into the fuel to rejuvenate it/get your vehicle to start on it.
Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if most has evaporated by now and your are just left with a little fuel and some water down in the bottom that was attracted in by the ethanol...
Thats why its a good idea to store a car full of ethanol free stabilized fuel.
Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if most has evaporated by now and your are just left with a little fuel and some water down in the bottom that was attracted in by the ethanol...
Thats why its a good idea to store a car full of ethanol free stabilized fuel.
Originally Posted By: Spetz
What about the fuel that would stay in the fuel lines? Is there any way to get rid of that?
a lot of that will drain out when you disconnect the fuel line from the tank. Where is the fuel filter ? you should drain the tank, put a new filter on for starters..
What about the fuel that would stay in the fuel lines? Is there any way to get rid of that?
a lot of that will drain out when you disconnect the fuel line from the tank. Where is the fuel filter ? you should drain the tank, put a new filter on for starters..
You need to dump that fuel and dispose of properly. There maybe crud in the tank. Best to put in some alcohol (2 gallons) let that sit for a few days and pump that out. Then add fresh fuel. I would pull the fuel line at the engine and turn the engine over with that line connected to a container until you get a pint out. Change fuel filter. Then start.
Keep an extra fuel filter on hand.
Keep an extra fuel filter on hand.
let me add.. you should remove the tank, fully inspect it for junk inside, if there is any clean it out. if there is a inline filter, remove it and replace it, most of the old fuel in the lines will drain out at this point. If this is a old car with the fuel pump on the block that's one thing, if its newer with the pump in the tank, I would test it to make sure the pump is still functional (turn the key over and listen for the buzz) if the pumps still in working order put a new filter on, 1/4 fill your clean tank and put it back together.. if its a carb motor having a little starting fluid on standby wouldn't hurt.. we need details on the car. I only suggest filling the tank 1/4 the way due to the possibility that you may need to remove the tank again for a pump that lives shortly then dies after a few minutes of operation... I have seen it.
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You can try to start it with the old fuel, but it likely won't run. The more volatile components are likely gone.
The best approach is to drain what you can can, add a gallon of fresh fuel, and attempt to start. The old fuel in the lines will be quickly flushed through.
If the drained fuel hasn't obviously degraded, you can mix it with fresh fuel and use it later.
The problem with adding fresh fuel to the old fuel in the tank is that, if the old fuel is really bad, you have gone from a 7 gallon disposal problem to a full tank of bad fuel.
There isn't any good reason to change the fuel filter early. If you are concerned, change it after running a full tank of fuel.
The best approach is to drain what you can can, add a gallon of fresh fuel, and attempt to start. The old fuel in the lines will be quickly flushed through.
If the drained fuel hasn't obviously degraded, you can mix it with fresh fuel and use it later.
The problem with adding fresh fuel to the old fuel in the tank is that, if the old fuel is really bad, you have gone from a 7 gallon disposal problem to a full tank of bad fuel.
There isn't any good reason to change the fuel filter early. If you are concerned, change it after running a full tank of fuel.
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Originally Posted By: djb
There isn't any good reason to change the fuel filter early. If you are concerned, change it after running a full tank of fuel.
I have seen (a few times now) with derby cars, that have sat for many years then put back into service, old filters that were degraded and rock hard inside (crusty) and would not allow proper fuel flow.. that's why is suggest replacing it.. it eliminates a potential problem, OP if you don't do it from the get go, at least have one on hand.
There isn't any good reason to change the fuel filter early. If you are concerned, change it after running a full tank of fuel.
I have seen (a few times now) with derby cars, that have sat for many years then put back into service, old filters that were degraded and rock hard inside (crusty) and would not allow proper fuel flow.. that's why is suggest replacing it.. it eliminates a potential problem, OP if you don't do it from the get go, at least have one on hand.
If the stuff smells like turpentine, better drain it. When I drained fuel about that old out of a motorbike it didn't smell like gasoline, and both pickup lines to the shutoff valve had to be blown out with compressed air.
You can with, great care, jumper the fuel pump relay and have the car empty itself through a disconnected fuel line. Keep the connection, which could spark, AWAY from the fuel.
Originally Posted By: Donald
You need to dump that fuel and dispose of properly. There maybe crud in the tank. Best to put in some alcohol (2 gallons) let that sit for a few days and pump that out. Then add fresh fuel. I would pull the fuel line at the engine and turn the engine over with that line connected to a container until you get a pint out. Change fuel filter. Then start.
Keep an extra fuel filter on hand.
Ditto...
You need to dump that fuel and dispose of properly. There maybe crud in the tank. Best to put in some alcohol (2 gallons) let that sit for a few days and pump that out. Then add fresh fuel. I would pull the fuel line at the engine and turn the engine over with that line connected to a container until you get a pint out. Change fuel filter. Then start.
Keep an extra fuel filter on hand.
Ditto...
I would drain what is left in the tank. As mentioned before, there probably isn't much in there. Replace the filter (if you have one) and add about 5 gallons with a good stabilizer in it.
I had a friend that used this with old fuel that was several years old. It seemed to work. Made by the same company that makes Stabil.
http://www.goldeagle.com/product/start-your-engines-fuel-system-revitalizer
"Start Your Engines!® Fuel System Revitalizer is an additive that ensures easy starting of equipment that has been sitting for a long time. It works by adding combustibility to old fuel and removes gum and varnish sediment in the fuel system."
http://www.goldeagle.com/product/start-your-engines-fuel-system-revitalizer
"Start Your Engines!® Fuel System Revitalizer is an additive that ensures easy starting of equipment that has been sitting for a long time. It works by adding combustibility to old fuel and removes gum and varnish sediment in the fuel system."
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