Tomorrow I'm going to purchase a vehicle that has sat for around three years, so the fuel is obviously trash. Nothing was put in to the tank to make it stable, so what is my course of action here?

Can anything be added to the fuel tank to make the fuel at least burn somewhat? Maybe syphon the old crap out first the best I can then pour some fresh fuel in?

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I would suggest you not drive the car since the gas is or must be varnish already. Well if the car does start and can be driven, just drive the car for a bit but then you must change the fuel filters and accumulators. Then give the car a full tune up and drop the tank to clean it out. This is what I would do If I was in your position.

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2001 E55

2001 E320 Sedan

2001 Subaru Legacy

2006 SLK280

2016 Subaru Outback 3.6

You have a couple courses of action:

1. If the fuel level is low, you can probably dilute it with fresh fuel and this will probably get you going down the road. This is the quickest/easiest option, but not what I recommend.

2. Drain tank. Add fresh fuel. Considerably better than option 1.

3. Tow vehicle to somewhere you can work on it. Drop tank, drain and have professionally cleaned and inspected. Correct any rust issues. Reinstall, add fresh fuel. Most difficult and expensive option, but the best.

I used to have a Dodge Dart that sat for several years before I finally got around to putting an engine in it. I went with Option 1 at first. After ruining a carburetor and a number of fuel filters, I ended up going with option 3.

Edit: Two560Two, looks like we were typing at the same time.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

Okay cool, looks like I'll be prepared to tow it back to the pad. I was thinking about draining it from the tank also.

Thanks

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

that the mb tank is made of much higher quality materials and will be less likely to have rust inside. i would take a tube and get a sample out of the tank to see what it looks like. if it isnt too bad you might be ok to just add fresh.

good luck

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

What color would it be if the fuel was bad?

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

if the color changes or not. but i would get some out and look at it. it will under some circumstances get gummy. of course it will probably not smell like gasoline should either. i dont really know what i would be looking for, but if it came out good and liquidy then i would think draining it and adding more would be ok. if it were really gummy then i would prob take the tank off and get it cleaned. if it were, say, 1/3 full and good and liquidy and didnt seem too smelly i might just add gas and go for it.

good luck

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.