Fuel in the tank: How long is too long?
 

I already searched.. didn't come up with any solid answers.

So I basically haven't driven my car (94 FD Touring/MT) since February. I moved to England at that point, came back two months later to ship my car and then got deployed about a week before it arrived in England. I had a friend pick up my car for me, put some gas in it and park it in my garage when it arrived in England. Other than that one day my car basically hasn't been driven since 08 FEB 2007.

I am now expecting to get back home in England to see my car in just over a weeks time, there should be about a 1/4 tank of gas in it from when it arrived in Country.

My question is this: Will the fuel (originally 94 octane) be so bad that driving with it in the tank will be detrimental? Obviously I will be going straight to the hobby shop for an oil change, but I'm not too keen on trying to drain my fuel tank in my garage (I live in a townhouse w/ shared indoor parking), I don't think the neighbors would be happy...

What do you guys think, if I keep her off boost for the 10 miles (or so) to a good gas station than fill up with fresh 94 will it be ok? I don't wanna be careless with this..

Thanks,

Levi

I'd say if you topped it off before you left, you'd be halfway in the safe zone. I ran my second gen on 1 year old gas, but that was nearly a full tank and also non-turbo.

I say you try it, stay out of even moderate accelleration and definitely no boost. Make sure you buy a full tank, and I still wouldn't even get on it until I have bought my second tank of gas.

Should have used some fuel stabilizer. I would just drain it to be sure. I know second gens have a bolt on the driver rear side of the tank for the drain.

Yeah, unfortunately I didn't know I would be gone this long initially, by the time word came it was too late (I was on a plane being deployed three days after I heard there was even a slight possibility of my going, not much time for getting personal affairs ready much less thinking about the fuel in my car floating over in the middle of the ocean).

Anybody know where the drain plug on a FD is?

Should be in the same place as an FC. I'm pretty sure I remember seeing it the last time I was tooling with the exhaust hangers. Should be at the very bottom of the tank, either a 12mm or 14mm bolt plugging the drain.

Get under there and find out:bigthumb:

Hehe, fair enough.. only reason I haven't gotten under and fixed it already is that I'm sitting in an internet cafe on the other side of the world from my car in a country with a name that the only part I can pronounce is "stan"... go figure.

I'll find it and drain it when I get her into the shop and have it up on the frame lift for an oil change.

2 stones + 1 bird = shitty aim.

:confused: I thought you were in Baltimore?

Are you in the United States of Ameristan?

FD fuel tanks have a drain plug on the bottom, but I think it's easier to run a temporary hose from the pump to your gas jug. Use the diagnostic jumper to run the pump until it spits, and you're good to go.

Ok, clearing up my life(ish) story in a couple lines:

Yes, I am from the US (Virginia). I am in the Military currently stationed in England (where my 7 is at). I was deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year (a couple weeks before my 7 arrived to the UK). I am now done with my deployment and am waiting in Kyrgyzstan for a flight back to the states for leave. Baltimore is just the first stop once I get back into the states before I can take leave ( 'Stan --> europe --> europe --> Baltimore --> Atlanta (drop off all my shit) --> UK (get my leave papers) --> (all over a 7 day period) DC (starting leave) --> Norfolk/C'ville/DC/NYC (relaxing on leave and visiting friends/family).. does that clarify?? :cool: )

My 7 has had the same fuel in the tank since I moved to England in the beginning of Feb. So I am worried that the old fuel may fuck up the engine when I go to take her into the hobby shop for fluid changes once I get back. Just wanted to know if it would be safe to drive on the old gas until I get on base and can put fresh petrol in.

Just drain the tank from the bottom. It's a 14mm bolt, spray it down with pb blast first, it should come right out. Make sure take off the fuel cap first.

Easy money, thanks rich.

But still... Will it be a terrible idea to drive my car to the hobby shop (about 10-15 miles) first to do this? I wanna do all the work/gas exchange on base, it's roughly $2.00 a liter for mid/low grade fuel on the british economy, not to mention I'm not sure where a british station is close to my house.

My main worry is if the old fuel will f*%$ up my engine, obviously I will watch the knock on my PFC and keep her out of boost, just wanna know if driving on it will do any long term damage..

Cheers,

Levi

this is an opinion ... nothing more, so get your grain of salt.

i've been storing cars for long periods of time (sometimes up to 2 years) for the last 9 years. granted, my MR2 was the only turbocharged one of the lot, but my care and mindfulness is the same for all my vehicles.

never had any long term problems with any one of them, Rx-7s included. just take it easy (no full throttle foolishness) with the first tank of gas - run the tank down and fill up with new gas as soon as it's convenient. i usually tune my cars up just before or shortly after storage.