Anyone ever drain the gas tank?

V

van_fx

Member
Location
Vancouver, BC
My car has been sitting in storage for 15 months and I will need to replace the old gas with a fresh tank. What's the best way to drain the gas tank?

I am assuming that as with most newer cars, there is an anti-siphon type valve in the gas tank preventing me from siphoning the old fashioned way. If so, is there a gas drain plug somewhere or some other place to easily empty the 23 gallons in my tank? Perhaps going at it from the fuel line?

Thx!
 
Ouch.. Bro.. First.. I think you might know this but forgot.

You run your vehicle till is empty if to know you will leave it in storage for a long time.,

about the fuel.. Don't really know.
 
I think you don't need to drain it, you'll be fine throwing some dry gas in there and/or use a fuel additive to help clean up the old gas....or maybe sea foam your vehicle (it's like detox) since it's been sitting.

sea foam DIY: ///5976
 
should have used some fuel stabilizer because most likely that fuel you got in it is gummed up and can really damage your engine. try and symphon it out or add some fresh fuel if it is not alot
 
I've heard both...store it with a full tank to avoid condensation or store it with an empty tank to avoid gas going bad, but ultimately went with a full tank and stabilizer and have to deal with it now.

My car starts fine and the gas probably isn't that bad because of the stabilizer but I don't want to take the chance of it messing up the car even more by running crappy, degraded gas through it.
 
your full tank and stabilizer is the best method. store my 67 comet that way every winter. BUt ya if you want to drain it remove the back seat on go at it from there
 
I'd try to disconnect & extend a fuel line from under the hood, then jump the fuel pump relay & pump it out, but 15 months with a full tank & fuel stabilizer added I wouldn't even bother, the fuels probably fine, I'd just burn it off...
 
Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll see how it goes when I get back and start her up again. If things run fine, I might just take the chance and burn it off. If she's running rough then I guess I have no choice but to drain it.

jigjag said:
Nevermind the gas issue, 15 months of not driving the FX!?!? Damn, how's the withdrawl symptoms?
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Hey buddy! I was hoping that we'll have a mini meet at the "garage" :wink: when I get back to check out your ride however I hear our gracious host is taking off on another Asia trip...not sure when he's leaving. No withdrawal anymore...just anticipation...christmas is coming early this year!!
 
v8888v said:
Gasoline shelf life is more than 2-3 years
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That sounds a bit too long to have gas stored based on the following information I came across on the Chevron website. For future reference, they recommend 95% full tank w/ stabilizer for storage. Hopefully the stabilizer that I added did its job...that way I can just burn it off.


Chevron gasoline can be stored for a year without deterioration when the storage conditions are good — a tightly closed container and moderate temperatures.

General Storage Recommendations

Three precautions will delay the deterioration of gasoline:
  • Fill containers about 95% full.
  • Cap containers tightly.
  • Store containers out of direct sunlight in a location where the temperature stays below 80°F most of the time (a vehicle or piece of equipment with gasoline in the fuel tank may be stored in direct sunlight as long as the tank is shaded from the sun).
The first two actions reduce the evaporation of gasoline during storage and reduce the exposure of gasoline to air and water vapor. (See Background Information section.) The 5% air space allows room for the liquid gasoline to expand if its temperature rises.
If weather or storage conditions will keep the gasoline warmer than 80°F much of the time, add a fuel stabilizer additive to the gasoline. Fuel stabilizer additives are available at auto supply stores and some service stations and convenience stores. Follow the label directions. The best mixing is achieved when the stabilizer is added to the container before it is filled with gasoline. The stabilizer will work only if it is added to fresh gasoline; it can’t fix gasoline that has started to deteriorate.
Federal and California reformulated gasolines will survive storage as well or better than conventional gasoline.
Adding oil to gasoline doesn't change its stability. Gasoline-oil mixtures for two-stroke-cycle engines will survive storage as well as gasoline itself.
 
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