OLD fuel
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: Grayson Ga.
OLD fuel
Long story short, except for emissions tests, the car’s been sitting for almost 3 years. What I’m concerned about is the 3 year old fuel. I did use Sta-bil on the last fill up. What I don’t know is should I burn off the fuel (drive-it) or figure out some way to get the old fuel out of both tank tanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Al, buddy! 
Draining the tanks is a possibility, although a PITA, but that would probably be my first solution.
A couple of guys here have had a similar issue and just ran it through. If you do decide to run it, drive up here for a visit while you're at it.
Say hi to Mary and Nitro.
Draining the tanks is a possibility, although a PITA, but that would probably be my first solution.
A couple of guys here have had a similar issue and just ran it through. If you do decide to run it, drive up here for a visit while you're at it.
Say hi to Mary and Nitro.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Does it run and idle smoothly?
If so just run it.... Top up at 3/4 tank.Just before you top up add a fuel system cleaner like Shell V Power, SeaFoam , Techron or Valvoline Synpower.
If so just run it.... Top up at 3/4 tank.Just before you top up add a fuel system cleaner like Shell V Power, SeaFoam , Techron or Valvoline Synpower.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 4
From: NW Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
with the cap off see if you can get a whiff of the gas. shake the vehicle if you can to get the fumes moving. if the gas has a sickening sweet smell it's gone bad and needs to be drained. if not, any damage to the system has been done so crank it up and see what happens. add fresh gas asap even if just a few gallons at a time. I've seen vehicles sit for years with no bad effects then some will varnish in 6 months. good luck
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: Grayson Ga.
Hey Bud,
I was hoping you’d jump in on this. I have a few ideas but I keep coming back to “Drive It”. I’m not sure how long it takes for fuel to turn to Jello, or how long Sta-bil will do its job.
I’d love to drive up to your place, but I don’t think the 2 horses would be very comfortable. Maybe we could work something out for early fall.
Nitro and Zak says Hi Uncle Ed
rws.1,
Not sure it runs. It was last started in early Dec. of last year. Thanks for the tip on fuel system cleaners.. I’ll research the one’s you’ve listed and see which are available at the local auto parts stores..
Thanks
I was hoping you’d jump in on this. I have a few ideas but I keep coming back to “Drive It”. I’m not sure how long it takes for fuel to turn to Jello, or how long Sta-bil will do its job.
I’d love to drive up to your place, but I don’t think the 2 horses would be very comfortable. Maybe we could work something out for early fall.
Nitro and Zak says Hi Uncle Ed
rws.1,
Not sure it runs. It was last started in early Dec. of last year. Thanks for the tip on fuel system cleaners.. I’ll research the one’s you’ve listed and see which are available at the local auto parts stores..
Thanks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: Grayson Ga.
with the cap off see if you can get a whiff of the gas. shake the vehicle if you can to get the fumes moving. if the gas has a sickening sweet smell it's gone bad and needs to be drained. if not, any damage to the system has been done so crank it up and see what happens. add fresh gas asap even if just a few gallons at a time. I've seen vehicles sit for years with no bad effects then some will varnish in 6 months. good luck
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Drive the SS. We've got a spare C5 you can drive up here.
If the gas has gone bad, what's aready in the lines/injectors is probably bad as well so, check through the filler as suggested above and crank it up if it smells OK.
If the gas has gone bad, what's aready in the lines/injectors is probably bad as well so, check through the filler as suggested above and crank it up if it smells OK.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: Grayson Ga.
The SS will pass everything but a gas station. 
If the gas has gone bad, I think i need a new engine.
I do want to take Mrs. Patches vette out for a test drive.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 7
From: Bucks County Pa
Gas How Long Does It Last
Hi, I don't know how long Sta Bil says it will preserve the gas, but I recently had experience with it. Old T Bird sat 3+ years with a full tank of gas and Sta Bil. Put in New Battery and started it up, it ran fine.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 0
From: Greensburg Indiana
I think you answered your own post with your T-Bird scenario. My experience with Stabil is that you should be fine. If you are still uneasy you can add an octane booster to the tank.
Your cars computer should adjust to the fuel and everything should be fine.... isn't fuel injection and advanced computer technology great....!
Your cars computer should adjust to the fuel and everything should be fine.... isn't fuel injection and advanced computer technology great....!