Hey hey! So about August of last year, I filled my girl up to the brim with low quality gasoline because obviously I’m going to use it all, right? It’s not like the car is going to sit in my driveway for nine months without moving (much). Well here we are nine months later. She’s been sitting since about August in my driveway through the Chicago winter, which granted wasn’t terrible this year. It runs, we pull it in and out of the garage and I make sure to let her run for 15ish minutes every few weeks. So far no issues. My question is, should I anticipate future fuel system issues? I don’t know exactly how gas turns to varnish. Once the tank starts to empty and it starts sucking up the crud that settles at the bottom will that be an issue? I just don’t want to be caught with a clogged fuel pump while out and about.
On hobby cars its common to have aging gasoline in the tank. I only use my Fiero's in late spring, summer and early fall. There is always leftover gas in the tank at the end of the season when my car goes into storage. I solved the issue by using Stabil gas preservative in my gas, keep the tank full and have never had a problem. Not that I would recommend it but a friend of mine had gas with Stabil in his car for 12 years. He put in a new battery and it started right up. That sold me on the product.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
There is no need to add a stabilizer to the gas on a car that is sitting for the winter. I've had cars sit for 3 years and they fire right up and run just fine - no fuel stabilizer.
Hey hey! So about August of last year, I filled my girl up to the brim with low quality gasoline because obviously I’m going to use it all, right? It’s not like the car is going to sit in my driveway for nine months without moving (much). Well here we are nine months later. She’s been sitting since about August in my driveway through the Chicago winter, which granted wasn’t terrible this year. It runs, we pull it in and out of the garage and I make sure to let her run for 15ish minutes every few weeks. So far no issues. My question is, should I anticipate future fuel system issues? I don’t know exactly how gas turns to varnish. Once the tank starts to empty and it starts sucking up the crud that settles at the bottom will that be an issue? I just don’t want to be caught with a clogged fuel pump while out and about.
I would just fill it up with fresh fuel when you start driving it around again. The new fuel and old fuel will mix and delute the bad...
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: I would just fill it up with fresh fuel when you start driving it around again.
That’s what I was thinking… my buddy wants to siphon it all out. Miscellaneous running has burned about half the tank if the gas gauge is to be believed. So probably enough to mix well with good gas. Then it’s off to the car wash to shoot it with pressure washers!
I remember hearing somewhere that bad gas is worse for carburetors than injection systems, does that sound right?
it is true to a point. it depends on the injectors and how bad the fuel filters are. usually what REALLY hates old gas thats starting to get sticky is any motor with a pushrod. if its like 5 year old gas maybe throw 2 stroke in to prime it to help lube it after you change most of it.
but a friend of mine had gas with Stabil in his car for 12 years. He put in a new battery and it started right up. That sold me on the product.
12 years is quite a while. Do you know what car it was? I wonder if there’s anything with the design of that cars fuel system that makes it less likely to get gummed up with old gas or something. Storage environment probably plays a large role in it. I imagine this vehicle was garage kept?
I had a car with a carb sit at a body shop for almost 2 years while he took his freaking time doing a little body work and paint. I had to clean the carb, but it had no problem burning the gas.
I think you'll be fine. At most, maybe throw in a bottle of HEET to absorb the water that may have happened from condensation.
[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 04-02-2025).]
Gas quality may be different with today's fuels, but in the early 2000's I resurrected my '84 that had been sitting for eight years. I simply added fresh fuel to the old stinky stuff, and it ran just fine. YMMV
A year is not a problem. Best way to put away is with the tank full so little air (oxygen) in tank to spoil fuel. Best way for multi year long term is to drain system and start and run dry.so no fuel in tank ,lines, or injectors to go bad. Fuel stabilizer is good short term but is not effective long term. Our fuels now a days has methanol in it and will cause severe corrosion if it goes bad from age. Methanol is a moisture attractant. sleek
Gasoline lasts about 3 to 6 months in the tank Adding a fuel stabilizer to fresh gasoline will extend its life to around 2 years {A fuel stabilizer will NOT help aged gas}
For the most part, aged gas just loses some of its ability to combust and tiny engines suffers more than bigger engines The best way to make aged fuel usable again is to dilute it with fresh gasoline
quote
bad gas is worse for carburetors than injection systems, does that sound right?
Aged gasoline 'thickens' in a carburetor and forms varnish-like substances which will clog the tiny fuel pathways so to me, yes - it is worst {I always treat carburetor vehicles with fresh gasoline with a stabilizer before storage}
The biggest problem of 'semi-gas' is moisture {aka water} and especially with fuels with ethanol.
Like brake fluid, ethanol is hygroscopic, which means it attracts and absorbs water molecules from the surrounding atmosphere.
Moisture contamination leads to corrosion or ‘rusting’ of metal components; especially the fuel tank....
------------------ Original Owner of a Silver '88 GT Under 'Production Refurbishment' @ 136k Miles
but in the early 2000's I resurrected my '84 that had been sitting for eight years. I simply added fresh fuel to the old stinky stuff, and it ran just fine. YMMV
What kind of environment was the car left in? Garage? Field? Exposed to elements? I’m curious
Yes Vintage I meant ethanol Not methanol comes in most pump fuels now. But methanol (methall hydrate) is used to soak up water and burn off as you run your car. It will also cause corrosion. BTW fuel including diesel will start going stale before you even buy it.. Stabilizer certainly will help but old fuels do rot senders ,hoses, tanks and pressure regulators.
