Draining Gas Options

[Nartanian]

So, I want to get my Celica started soon. The gas has been sitting in the tank for a little over a year though. Is there a how-to on draining the gas tank so I can fill it up with new gas? Thanks.

[azian_advanced]

you shouldn't have a problem starting the car with fuel that is over a year old. gas doesn't go bad even if it has been sitting for a long period of time.

[richee3]

you shouldn't have a problem starting the car with fuel that is over a year old. gas doesn't go bad even if it has been sitting for a long period of time.

I disagree... Gas can, and does, go bad. Don't believe me? Come siphon it out of my '68 Cadillac that has been sitting around for 11 years. The smell alone will make you sick. We had to siphon part of it with a hand siphon, like Samir linked you to. The rest is still there.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/0....gas/index.html

BUT... It also depends on how the gasoline is stored. If your gas lid was on tight, so no air can get in or out, it will be preserved a lot longer than if it was sitting in a plastic gas can in your garage. Although gas will go bad, doesn't mean Azian doesn't have a point. How much gas do you have in the tank? If you don't have very much, just fill the tank up to dilute the old gas. It might run kinda rough, but it would be alright after you run it all through.

As for the guys saying to siphon it directly, that won't work either My old ST had a 3/4 of a tank when I wrecked it. I was only getting 5 hours a week for $6 an hour at the job I had then... (That's right, $30 a week before tax. No idea how I made it then.) So when I wrecked that car, I wanted my gas before the insurance company came to get the car. But Toyota has got filters or something blocking the line, so my hose couldn't get too far into the tank. My guess as to the best way to get to it is to remove your rear seat, take out your fuel pump, and go at it from that angle. Might want to do it outside with some fans on though.

[Nartanian]

As for the guys saying to siphon it directly, that won't work either My old ST had a 3/4 of a tank when I wrecked it. I was only getting 5 hours a week for $6 an hour at the job I had then... (That's right, $30 a week before tax. No idea how I made it then.) So when I wrecked that car, I wanted my gas before the insurance company came to get the car. But Toyota has got filters or something blocking the line, so my hose couldn't get too far into the tank. My guess as to the best way to get to it is to remove your rear seat, take out your fuel pump, and go at it from that angle. Might want to do it outside with some fans on though.

So you're absolutely sure siphoning won't work? I might try removing back seats but after that I'm lost...