In March I parked my old grand wagoneer to make room for my 91 190e. The jeep has almost a full tank of gas and has not been run since March. I went and bought a new battery and I am getting ready to drive this winter. Is there anything I need to add to the old fuel or any other maintenance I need to do before I fire this thing up and start driving it again? Thanks

There is a product for small engines (lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.) called Sta-Bil that is supposed to prevent fuel from deteriorating. I think it's supposed to be put into the tank before storage, and I'm not sure if it's safe for catalytic converters, etc.

Anyway, if the Jeep was a an older driver, I would just check the oil level and tire pressures and fire it up. Of course, if it was pretty new, I'd consider changing all the fluids, and draining the gas tank. Old gasoline does make a good weed killer.

You'll probably be ok, though, just running it... that's probably what I'd do. I might be tempted to try the old trick of putting a teaspoonful of motor oil into each spark plug hole, or is that just to store it? I wonder if that would help engine lubrication in those first few seconds. I'd also probably change the oil before too long. Your engine *has* been sitting all summer. Hope this helps,

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Robert W. Roe
1984 300SD 165,745 miles

I have a 75 Jeep CJ5 with a 360 V-8 that I use as a backup car. It can sit in the back yard for up to 6 mo. When sitting for this long, the gas does deteriate but the car does start and run. If really old gas, then it will run rough, hesitate, and knock(ping) under heavy acceleration. If I un hook the fuel line and pump some out, It will be as dark as new motor oil. I now run the Jeep about every two weeks to burn off some fuel and add a little fresh gas. Sta-bil is a good idea too.