Siphon out old gas or not...

[asuen435]

Hi all,
Didn't get much use of the Exige this year, were only able to take it out for a run approx. every 2-3 month, it still has about a little over a quarter tank of gas from when I fill it up the last time (I think maybe in October/November 2011?). Last time I drove it, was a short trip to the smog station last month, and it started and ran fine.

With the colder weather approaching in the Bay Area, I want to fill the tank up to prevent condensation in the tank, but I'm thinking maybe I need to siphon out the old gas in the tank first before fill it up and add some StaBil (The old gas didn't have StaBil added).

What are you guy's opinion on this? Is this overkill? or should I just fill it up without siphon out the old gas, then add some StaBil and call it a day.

I bought a hand-squeeze rubber ball type gas siphon pump, not sure if this is the way to go if I have to siphon out the old gas?

[Lotus F1]

Firstly you cannot siphon it out in a traditional manner. There is a ball restriction in the refueling pipe to prevent dropping any tube down there. Secondly they have gas treatments that preserve gas for up to 2 years...much easier and appropriate.

[squidward]

over kill.. Just buy a couple of cans of octane booster to freshen up the fuel. (disclaimer-I'm not a fuel expert but this is what *I* have done).

[asuen435]

Oh man, thats a shame that I can't siphon the fuel out that way, I read it here that the Esprit has a drain plug in its fuel tank, that would have been pretty sweet.

I guess if I can't get the old gas out easily, then I'll just take it out for a long run, burn off the old fuel as much as I can, then fill it up & add some StaBil fuel stabilizer this time. Kinda wish the Exige didn't have such good gas mileage, then I wouldn't have this issue, lol.

[Lotus F1]

Originally Posted by asuen435

Oh man, thats a shame that I can't siphon the fuel out that way, I read it here that the Esprit has a drain plug in its fuel tank, that would have been pretty sweet.

I guess if I can't get the old gas out easily, then I'll just take it out for a long run, burn off the old fuel as much as I can, then fill it up & add some StaBil fuel stabilizer this time. Kinda wish the Exige didn't have such good gas mileage, then I wouldn't have this issue, lol.

If you must you could probably just jump the fuel pump relay and disconnect the fuel line, turn ignition on. All the fuel will pump itself out that way.

[asuen435]

Originally Posted by Lotus F1

If you must you could probably just jump the fuel pump relay and disconnect the fuel line, turn ignition on. All the fuel will pump itself out that way.

Yeah, the disconnect the fuel line part makes me a little nervous.

[Lotus F1]

Originally Posted by asuen435

Yeah, the disconnect the fuel line part makes me a little nervous.

Totally understandable. Just let the car idle and run most of the fuel out. It really cant damage it that way unless the gas tank was seriously contaminated.

Idling with such a low engine load fuel octane and quality wont matter as much as driving it under load

[philethier]

Put in enough StaBil for a full tank, then pump in fresh fuel, non-oxygenated if you can get it. Drive it home to mix up the fuel and get the new mix thought the injectors. Park it. In the spring, drive it down to a quarter of a tank and fill with high-octane.

Originally Posted by asuen435

Hi all,
Didn't get much use of the Exige this year, were only able to take it out for a run approx. every 2-3 month, it still has about a little over a quarter tank of gas from when I fill it up the last time (I think maybe in October/November 2011?). Last time I drove it, was a short trip to the smog station last month, and it started and ran fine.

With the colder weather approaching in the Bay Area, I want to fill the tank up to prevent condensation in the tank, but I'm thinking maybe I need to siphon out the old gas in the tank first before fill it up and add some StaBil (The old gas didn't have StaBil added).

What are you guy's opinion on this? Is this overkill? or should I just fill it up without siphon out the old gas, then add some StaBil and call it a day.

I bought a hand-squeeze rubber ball type gas siphon pump, not sure if this is the way to go if I have to siphon out the old gas?

[driftwood]

the real question is why aren't you driving the car more?

once every 2-3 months isn't acceptable

[lotusespritse]

Originally Posted by asuen435

Oh man, thats a shame that I can't siphon the fuel out that way, I read it here that the Esprit has a drain plug in its fuel tank, that would have been pretty sweet.

I guess if I can't get the old gas out easily, then I'll just take it out for a long run, burn off the old fuel as much as I can, then fill it up & add some StaBil fuel stabilizer this time. Kinda wish the Exige didn't have such good gas mileage, then I wouldn't have this issue, lol.

I have an Esprit, I don't see a drain valve. It does have a pipe that connects the left and right tanks that you could pull off to drain.


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[asuen435]

Yeah, I wish I could drive it more, once every 2-3 month is very sad. Planning on doing the StaBil with fill up in non-oxygenated fuel route.

I read about the Esprit drain valve here...
Trouble siphoning from fuel tank