If the car has been sitting for 8-9 months. It’s best not to start it up w whatever fuel left in the tank right?

and if so, is there a good method to siphon fuel out of the fd fuel tank? Is there a drain plug in the stock tank?

 

There is a drain plug on the bottom of the tank.

 

They also make fluid transfer pumps that work pretty well, that are fairly cheap. Just don't let the gas sit in the pump otherwise it could eat through any gaskets and ruin the pump or leak all over.

 

8 or 9 months? Do you premix at all?
Go with whatever makes you happy but my car is put into winter storage from November to at least April…often May every year with a full tank (premix at half-rate and non-ethanol). I’ve never had problems.

Be sure to drain outside and far away from structures. Depending on circumstances I might just top off with fresh and maybe some decent fuel system cleaner.

 

Ok thank you
yes I used premix. It’s been close to 8-9 months. Will premix being in the tank prolong the fuel? Because shop said having fuel sit for almost a year can seize things up because the fuel becomes gummy

Took off stock twins, Put on single turbo and trying to just start the car to see if it idles/runs….
will continue to upgrade parts (fuel, intercooler, ignition). But until then, I’d like to be able to start it and drive it (no boost) from time to time..

I’ll try to use the drain bolt from underneath since there is one? And add some new fuel and try to start it

 

"I’ve never had problems." i agree w Sgtblue. there should be no problems. i would suggest you take it a bit easy until you burn thru the gas.

should anyone reading this have to drain the tank:

i have found the copper washer used to seal the drain often gets a scored and leaks. the solution is not to torque it 50 pounds or sand it smooth. the solution to a totally leak free seal on the gas tank drain is using a Mazda thrubolt washer. it has a rubber inner O ring and is a total lockdown. i will never use another copper washer to seal the tank drain.

 

No tech background but intuitively I think it works a bit like an antioxidant, which is primarily how fuel stabilizers like Stabil work. So I’m guessing that and not using ethanol blended fuel helps.

 

If you decide to drain, you can get an electric fuel transfer pump for less than $100. I have one and use it from time to time when a car sits for awhile to drain off some older gas that goes into my DD that only requires 87, then ad new 91 to the now less full tank to freshen it some.

Very easy to do with one of these kits + a 5-gallon gas can for the transfer.

 

Couple of points:
1. Not all FD fuel tanks has a drain bolt. The later replacement tanks do not. The 94+ might not have one either.
2. 8-9 months isn't too bad. I'd be willing to use it up driving the car lightly and dilute with fresh fuel.
3. Premix may "unmix" / separate so consider adding some more with the fresh fuel that you add.

I used a cheapo $20 fluid transfer pump that you find at harbor freight and auto parts stores to pump the gas out via the filler. Worked pretty well. A little time consuming but not bad.

 

I use a "Gas Tapper", basically a small electric fuel pump to transfer old fuel from my FD to my Daily every year after winter storage, works well, but slow.

 

That’s the one I have, too. Bought it years ago. Now there are a few similar on Amazon.

 

Me? I'd just run it out then fill with good premium and Sta-Bil. Been winter storing cars since 1979.
But whatever you decide about pumping it out, do it out by the street...

 

"electric" and pumping gas makes me nervous.

 

i'd just run it, its not that old

 

9 months isn't an issue for startup, I wouldn't have a problem with 2 years. That said, I'm not going to go boosting on that right away.

 

Thx guys, so I was able to start her up. Idled (idle control wires need to be reinstalled in new connector). and drove ok but little rough.

upon driving it for 15-20 min the car flooded pretty badly that it couldn’t get restarted. Pulled the plugs and they were really soaked. But interesting note was the trailing (top plugs) were way more drenched, than the bottom two plugs (which weren’t even drenched nearly as much). Is there a reason for that?


Trailing

Leading plug

Leading plug

Trailing plug