4 year old gas. Tanks OK?

[gugie]

I just bought a Wellcraft that has had gas sitting in it for the last four years. Do i need to do anything other than draining what little gas is in it or could there be some varnish in the tank? If so what can I do to clean the tank?<br />Thanks,<br />Tom

 

[mercrewser]

Re: 4 year old gas. Tanks OK?

Run it and change your filter after a few tank fulls. gas will clean it. Not a big deal. Welcome to Iboats. What kind of Wellcraft?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: 4 year old gas. Tanks OK?

I would not recommend starting the motor until you drain off some of the old fuel and see what it looks like.4 years is long enough for it to resemble molases.It may also look fine,depends if it were stabilized every year.If it looks thick when draining it off I would drain every drop.If it appears to look ok,I would add similar amount of fresh fuel.Charlie

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 4 year old gas. Tanks OK?

If it doesn't have a spin-on fuel filter, you should definately get one. Chances are about 100% that there will be water in there too. You might want to carry a spare element. The carb will need to be rebuilt or replaced. Maybe the fuel pump as well. Use Gumout or a similar product for at least the next year to clean the tank. Gas alone won't dissolve the varnish that is certainly there in the tank.

 

[Solittle]

Re: 4 year old gas. Tanks OK?

After you drain all of the old fuel out make sure that you blow out all of the fuel lines. I would think that the fuel pump would be OK but definitely have the carb rebuilt and I agree with WillyBWright on the fuel filter/water separator. Old, old fuel is nasty stuff. I bought a rig years back with the fuel of an unknown age. When I drained it it looked like a whiskey sour and smelled like old turpentine.