So just how bad...
 

... can old gas make your car run?

My FB only starts with starter fluid. However, the gas in there is at least a year and a half old.

The problem? I have a FULL tank of old gas. I don't even know what the fuck to do with it if I drain the tank.

So now, the FB runs like shit. It won't hold idle, and it won't start. I'm debating whether to pull the 12A now, or try to get a decent tank of gas in there and see if she's drivable for the summer on the current engine. Just how bad is "old gas"???

That is a good question as I am wondering the same thing. My situation is I dont have a full tank though and my car has been sitting for 6 months with less than 1/4 and will only start with spraying some other flammable in the engine.

Old gas loses it's octane rating, which isn't terrible for a rotary, the NA'a will run on 80. The biggest problem is the gas gets gummy, eventually turning to a varnish like substance and plugs everything up, especially in the carb.

Drain the tank and put fresh gas in along with a fuel system cleaner. Disposal of the old gas is up to you.

I had a full tank of old gas and it wouldnt hold idle so i syfend it then put in new gas in it, that work better

"Old gas" may have water condensation impurities; however, I cranked our Isuzu Amigo, last Saturday, for the first time since May 2005 to get an inspection sticker. (I did have to charge the battery) It started on the first attempt and never skipped a beat...lol. It had a full tank of gas, too. I drove it down to the inspection station without a problem.

An idle vehicle with a full tank is better than a near empty tank as it tends to prevent condensation within the tank. I'd put a new fuel filter on it, pour some fuel octane boost / cleaner in the tank and try using it... if it is truely a full tank.

Old gas sucks. Seriously sucks. What I did with mine is I drained it into two 5-gallon pails, leaving the rest in there, then filled it to the top with good gas. Drove the crap out of it. Add a bucket of old and fill the rest of the tank with good. Drive it again until you've used it all up. I actually gave them to a friend who drove on it, I didn't use 'em in my car because I had rebuilt the carb and didn't want the bad gas going through it.

Or if you have another beater car you use, drain it out in small amounts and burn it off in your DD. But you really have to dilute it, depending on how long it's sat there.

There's also usually a local toxic waste disposal place that takes care of fluid like that. I know it sucks to get rid of 60L of gasoline, but it's basically useless at this point.

I dont' know if 1yr is enough to make it *that* bad... mine was 3yrs old. If you're sure your carb and everything is good, I'd blame the gas. But I know when I store mine for the 6mo of winter, it's fine.

You can always bring it to a place that does gas tanks. Any place that replaces/fixes/coats gas tanks has a way to dispose of a tankful of gas.

Jon

'Modern' gas has started breaking down by the time it's 6 months old. Leaded gas can last for years.

im gonna tell you like all the other people.

clean out gas lines coming from tank all the way on the bottom of the car to the filter in the engine bay.

carb cleaner spray it in there cover eyes and find a air compresser push air through it and hope to god it doesent get into your eyes :molepoke:

Well that depends... are you looking for an excuse to put a new engine in there? If so then take this one and swap in whatever interests you. If not I wouldnt give up on it yet. Drain the tank, replace the filter, fill the tank with new gas and a can of Seafoam and see what happens.

I'd pour in some octane booster, and gasline antifreeze to absorb any water and give it a try. Costs less than 10 bucks and might work.

Whenever leaving gas for over 3 months, you should add fuel stabilizer.

Well, it's at least a year and a half. Could be much, much more. I'm thinking of just draining a bit at a time, seriously diluting it with water, and dumping it out in the woods. We have an assload of unwanted bushes anyway, figure that will kill 'em. LOL

No, I'm definitely putting a 13B SP in anyway, it's just that I'd like to be able to drive it around while I'm fixing/changing the other stuff I'm doing. Figure I have to pull the 13B from my 89, send it to Rotary Resurrection, have Kevin rebuild it, send it back, etc... We're talking months with no motor then. I still want to drive the FB so I can test the new brakes, rear-end, bushings, shocks, struts, etc. That's my dilemma.

bon fire...what you should always do if you put the car up for this winter is buy fuel stabilizer...you put however much is says to put in just before you fill your car up and you have to let you car run for a couple minutes so the stabilizer can work into the gas in all the lines...then set your car up and she'll start no problem come the end of winter...but if you think your car has water in the tank mix some alcohal into the tank and it will allow the motor to burn off the water...

You have to remember, I just bought it last September, and it hadn't been run in over a year. This wasn't my doing.

Go fill the tank up and then drive it for a few hours, Retop the tank at about half way.

It is really not the gas that is so bad it is the bit of gum in the carb causing problems.