How long does gas last?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
How long does gas last?
The fuel in my tank is about 2 years old. It's close to a full tank. I added stabilizer about a year ago. Should I drain the tank before I start it back up again?
Senior Member since 1492
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
I'm not an expert by any means, but if it was me, I'd drain the tank. Based on my experience, if I don't drain or run completely out of the gas in my mowers, tractor, snowblower, chainsaws, tillers etc.... The engine gets all gummed up after only a few months and almost impossible to start. Both the straight gas engine & the fuel + oil mix. doesn;t matter.
I learned my lesson well.
I learned my lesson well.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,705
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
I think that you've done the right thing by keeping the tank more or less full and adding stabilizer, but these have their limits too. Don't know what these limits are but you must be starting to push them. Are you going to drive it enough to use up the tank now? If so, I might suggest putting in a bottle of fuel system cleaner and runing it out. You're going to have some gum in the carb regardless of what you do to the fuel in the tank in any case.
Another thing that you may need to consider is practicality. What are you going to do with the ten or so gallons of old fuel? If you have an easy way to dispose of it, then this might be a safer course. Otherwise, you might be just as well to drive it.
Another thing that you may need to consider is practicality. What are you going to do with the ten or so gallons of old fuel? If you have an easy way to dispose of it, then this might be a safer course. Otherwise, you might be just as well to drive it.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
.
Another thing that you may need to consider is practicality. What are you gooing to do with the ten or so gallons of old fuel? If you have an easy way to dispose of it, then this might be a safer course. Otherwise, you might be just as well to drive it.
Another thing that you may need to consider is practicality. What are you gooing to do with the ten or so gallons of old fuel? If you have an easy way to dispose of it, then this might be a safer course. Otherwise, you might be just as well to drive it.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
the disposal of the old gas is the problem so what i have done is to siphon out 1/2-3/4 of the tank and then add fresh gas and keep adding the older gas with the new gas until its gone.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
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From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
What are you going to do with the ten or so gallons of old fuel?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,041
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From: Wichita, KS
It's impossible to say how long fuel will last. Each batch is blended slightly differently to acheive the goal of xx octane within certain guidelines. Winter gas will be a nothing like summer gas if you were to look at the ingrediants.
At any rate, since yyou added the fuel stabilizer after the engine was shut off I would drain the fuel from the carb and put fresh gas in it before starting the engine just to be sure that the passages have not become gummed up.
At any rate, since yyou added the fuel stabilizer after the engine was shut off I would drain the fuel from the carb and put fresh gas in it before starting the engine just to be sure that the passages have not become gummed up.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
Old fuel only gums up if it evaporizes leaving the additives etc behind.
If you intend to store the car for longer period, the fuel tank should be filled to the top to stop condenastion in there that produces water and the carb(s) should be drained to avoid the fuel evaporization.
If you put some stabilizer or even some octane booster into the fuel, I do not see any problems burning the fuel up the normal way.
Of course, mixing it up with fresh fuel will help as well.
Good luck. Gunther
Old fuel only gums up if it evaporizes leaving the additives etc behind.
If you intend to store the car for longer period, the fuel tank should be filled to the top to stop condenastion in there that produces water and the carb(s) should be drained to avoid the fuel evaporization.
If you put some stabilizer or even some octane booster into the fuel, I do not see any problems burning the fuel up the normal way.
Of course, mixing it up with fresh fuel will help as well.
Good luck. Gunther
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,631
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From: Fountain Hills AZ
Originally Posted by 79VetteMike
The fuel in my tank is about 2 years old. It's close to a full tank. I added stabilizer about a year ago. Should I drain the tank before I start it back up again?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by 79VetteMike
The fuel in my tank is about 2 years old. It's close to a full tank. I added stabilizer about a year ago. Should I drain the tank before I start it back up again?
Perhaps there is a neighbor kid you can donate it to.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
I've had the car in the garage for up to 3-4 years at a time with the tank about 1/4 to 1/2 full. No stabilizer. Maybe I'm lucky but I've had no gumming or other problems. Just start the car & run it.
