Like stated ^^

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks a lot.

 

Under the gas tank, there is a bolt in the bottom of the tank. Put something under the tank to catch the fuel, then undo the bolt to drain the tank.

 

14mm head IIRC. It can be a bit of a pain to get off, I like to use a long-handled ratchet to get some nice torque on it.

Also, it doesnt hurt to remove the fuel filler cap to depressurize the system before draining....you'll still get covered in fuel though, make sure you wear eye protection

 

Wouldn't it be easier to take it out with a pump like for the trans fluid?

 

You just undo one bolt and let gravity do the work. I don't see how anything else would be easier.

 

Maybe not easier but cleaner.

 

It's not much difference than a oil change. The worse part is your hand will get some gas on it when you remove the bolt so I recommend wearing some disposable gloves. I would recommend it as any sediments which may be at the bottom of your tank will also exit. Using pumps typically will not remove that kind of gunk.

 

I've owned my project car for 5 years without driving it. I don't know if there is gas in the tank. If there is, do you think 5 years worth of sitting around is long enough to warrant having the tank cleaned out? Obviously I will drain it but do I need to remove it and clean it?

-James

 

If you plan to flush it out with anything other than gas, then yes I would recommend removing it. Unless you know there is a problem, I would just drain it then add in some new fuel with a bottle of fuel injection system cleaner.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. Also, what are the chances i need new spark plugs (cars been sitting for 5+ years). And can anyone recommend any?

 

If the car has been sitting that long, I would recommend in the least the following:

* Change spark plugs
* Inspect spark plug wires (change if needed)
* Change fuel filter
* Drain fuel tank
* Coolant flush
* Oil & filter change

Also, check around the engine to make sure no rodents have made any nests. You can't imagine the number of threads on the forum where a rodent nested in someone's engine bay and used the wires for teething.

 

Thanks for that, ill remember to do that.

As for the rodents, i think snakes may be more my issues . Since its Florida and all. But ill be sure to check it all out.

 

You already have all of the answers needed above, but just for the sake of having fun.. The correct way to drain a rotaries gas tank is to go to the track on a road course and floor it for about 5 minutes

kenn_chan

 

Happen to know the thread and pitch of the drain bolt?

 

Replace hoses and belts too.

I fired up an old Pontiac I had that had been sitting for several years. I thought I was being thorough by changing the radiator hoses, heater hoses and fuel lines. After driving it for about an hour a pinhole leak in the old hi-pressure power steering hose sprayed PS fluid on the headers. Wanna guess what happened next? It was a lot more expensive than a new PS hose would have cost, I can tell you that much.

 

Any recommendations for a source to drain the fuel into? I'm replacing the tank because the baffles failed and the fuel level indicator is obstructed. After this point I've been keeping the tank fairly topped off. I probably don't have 20 gallons in there, but maybe more like 10-15 gallons.

 

Also, I think I might use a strainer when I drain it so I feel a little better about reusing this fuel.

 

wat

 

No point in wasting 10 gallons of good ol' 93 octane. I'll put it in the Subaru. That car takes all my hamfisted abuse.

 

Save it for the lawn mower, it doesn't care. I wouldn't trust gas that old in a car.

 

It's not old, I ran the tank empty a month ago and stalled out because my fuel gauge / level floater failed. Fuel is less than a month young.

 

Ok, I thought the fuel had be sitting in there for a while.

My FD, on the other hand, has been sitting in one spot for almost 2 years. After I sell one of my other cars, I'll be really to put it back together but not before dumping the fuel.

 

Doing this now.

17mm

I used a long-handle ratchet and only loosened the bolt like 1 turn and have a decent trickle going. The car, not me. But I like that approach since it is going slow enough I can swap 5-gallon buckets over without spilling much at all, and didn’t get any on my hands

Downside is I am sitting here waiting for the first one to fill and the tinkling sound is making me need to go for a pee

 

REALLY needing to pee. Enlisted my kid to watch the car

 

LOL.

Needing to do this myself after the car has had the same fuel in the tank for about 4 years.

But I stripped the drain bolt trying it a while back. Need to get in there with a bolt extractor and hope it works.