I think I posted about this before when the fuel was about 6 months old, at which time people didn't think it was old enough to cause any problems.

But now that it's getting close to the one-year mark, are there any precautions that I should try before I try to fire my engine up? I plan on trying to start this engine this weekend, but I don't want to screw anything up (moreso than I might have already).

If I remember correctly, I think theres less than a quarter-tank of fuel left in the tank, but it's been sitting there for 11 months. Assuming that my engine actually works when I try firing it up, would I be safe just driving it to a gas-station and filling the tank (thereby diluting any old fuel)?

Of course, I haven't hooked up my fuel rails yet, so I can always just let the pump prime the left-over fuel out...

Thanks

 

I know a mechanic, and he believes that gasoline won't go bad for about two years. I don't think you will hurt anything if you run it, but don't quote me.
I have an 84 z-28 that hasn't been on the road in 6 years. The only gas that has seen was out of a can.I had about an 1/8th of a tank when I started it and it ran fine on the old gas, but I'm also carbed so, that may have helped.
I would suggest at least getting a gas can full and dumping that in the tank along with some dry gas. That may help to dilute it.
Like I said, i don't know for sure but that is what happened with me.

 

somebody correct me if im wrong but i think you should have a car up on blocks if it's sitting that long or the tires can get warped....

not that it's any help with the gas question...........

 

v8unleashed: Man I hope that's not true about the tires... I've got a full set of new Yokahoma's which, much like the car, haven't left the driveway for nearly a year. But then again, the new tires have only been on since early October, 2002 . You can guess that I probably expected to be driving this thing a long time ago.

RE: the fuel issue... the fuel that came out of the lines looked good, so hopefully that's a good sign. I'll probably go ahead and pour a gallon of new fuel in, though, just to dilute what's in there.

Thanks

 

i think they've started putting additives in gas that make it storable for longer periods of time, so i would bet you'll be ok

and if the tires have only been there for a few months, they're probably ok too.......

i would follow racerx's advice and mix some new gas in with it before you start it up

you said the fuel in the lines looked good so i think it's gonna be fine.......good luck with it

 

if i were you i'd drain the thing out and blow the lines clean with compressed air.... esp since your using a fuel injected setup... injectors don't like sludge

 

I have a customer who I'm swaping an engine for who was quite worried about this issue here. This car has sat since 97 or 98 he's not sure since it was his daughters car at the time, she of course never changed the oil but thats another subject. Anyway there was a full tank of gas in this car when it was parked and he wanted the gas drained. I drained it and it looked clean a little yellow compared to normal fuel (I miss the old pink premium myself) The gas smelled alright just a little weak and was clean so I put it in my car and have had no problems except its burning up alot quicker then normal, no big deal to me since it was free. Not too bad for 6 year old fuel.