Storage and now old gas

I need some advice. I have an 09 Tacoma which I put in storage. Serious health issues blocked me from returning. My Tacome has been sitting undriven for 18 months. Should I worry about the old gas in it? Or should I try to start and try to drip e the gas out of it? Thanks for the help!

 

Octane booster got an accord I bought to fire up on 3 year old gas... if the tanks full your probably fine

 

should be fine. gas takes years to go bad. just go play with your truck!

 

You are fine. Mine went 3 years sitting in the back yard. 2 Michigan winters later and it started right up.

 

Due to it sitting for so long, it might not crank due to a weakened battery. If you have a charger hook it up. Or jump start.

I have a different option on old gas. Since I don’t drive mine much, it takes me 3-4 weeks to use a tankful. I was topping it off every weekend but noticed it runs better if I let it get low before filling it up. Guess is the old gas making it run not as good.

My garden supply store told me to not use gas more than 30 days old in my mower and weed eater. So I dump the old gas in my car. The premixed I’d dribble onto weeds to kill them. It made the car run like crap until I refilled.

I’ve heard gas more than 9 months old won’t start a engine but that’s apparently wrong.

If it was mine, I wouldn’t try to start it with old gas. Best option would be to drain and put in fresh gas first. Or you could top it off with gas cans using fresh gas. Or if it’ll start, you could drive it straight to the gas station and top it off.

A guy I work with had to deal with a vehicle that wouldn’t start due to old gas. Drain & clean the tank. Clean the lines & injectors. Replace the filter. Fresh gas in. Run it for awhile. Replace the filter again. It stunk horrible and that stench lingered in that area for months.

There’s my opinion, good luck.

 

If its full its probably fine, if its not you might mix in some fresh. Don't overthink it.

 

How much fuel is in it now? If its under a half tank, I'd fill up with high octane, then fill it up again when that tank gets to half.

 

Agreed with above. Out of curiosity, how full was the tank? The more full, the less likely for it to go bad as fast. If it was half full or near E, it wouldn't hurt to use an octane booster or just plain dilute it with some fresh fuel.

For peace of mind: my parents also have a Mustang which has been sitting since about 2016 when I purchased my last truck. It gets started every now and then and the tank is definitely not full, nor has it received any new fuel, to my knowledge.

 

Varying opinions.

Basically it will be fine, but a stabilizer and fresh gas will help.

Old gas will burn sour and can damage older worn cats, so diluting it with fresh gas is a good idea.

 

Add a stabilizer at least. If you can get someone to start it every once in a while great. I’d be more concerned with oil seals drying out over time and causing leaks.

 

I'd dump a little octane booster in it and have at it. Before I went to all the trouble of draining it, I'd make damned sure I had to.

 

3-4 weeks is not old gas. 3-4 years is maybe old gas, and the 2nd gen motors will turn those fossilized dinosaurs into energy just fine.

I'm running my piece of shit 4 stroke mower on gas I bought almost almost 5 years ago, left in a garage in the heat and cold, and it doesn't care.

 

^ i was thinking the same thing. i've been using the same 5 gallon gas container for the last 3 years for my mower and snow blower. no issues at all.

 

If there isn't a lot of gas in the tank you may have moisture buildup that could cause the truck to not start or cause some damage. I'd throw some octane boost or moisture remover like peets in there.

 

I had a mower at a rental house. The renter tried to start it with 3 month old gas and it wouldn’t start. Maybe it’s the ethanol additive or a California gas thing.

 

Thank you everyone for answering and trying to help me.

I think I left the tank full. I have about 500 - 1000 miles on my last oil change (Mobil 1). Even so think I'll change the oil before start attempt. Now am thinking about my transfer case, tranny and diff having the lube settle to the pans and leaving the bearing / seals dry. Expecting to go for an easy low speed drive for 50 or so miles to get lube moving again. Will shift into 4wd sometimes for same lube distribution. Guessing Ill need a new battery too. Any other suggestions? Thank you to all.

Tom

It has been sitting for 1.5 years.

 

How old is old “depends”.

Vehicles with carburetors are very susceptible to varnish build up in bowls and on needle valve seats that can cause all sorts of issues in as little as 3 to 4 months. I’ve found the Stabil product does wonders in these situations. I use it in all my mowers, chainsaws, generators, weed eaters, and my old mustang. The varnish forms as gasoline evaporates from the carburetor. Not an issue on an EFI vehicle...but I’d still use Stabil prior to storing any vehicle for long periods on the “it can’t hurt” principal.

To the OP...give it a shot as is. Draining the whole fuel system is a pain. 90% chance you’ll be OK.

 

Really depends where the truck has been stored, how fresh the gas was when you got it.. Seems gasoline will degrade quicker with large variations in temperature.
Fitch fuel catalyst keeps gasoline fresh a really time. We did some test back in the day using this product...it'll keep on working for a lifetime.

 

I have a slightly different opinion than many of the posts. I have had several experiences with stale gas in cars, boats and of course small engines which are more finicky.

I’d siphon out the tank and put in 5 gallons of fresh, then crank it up.

 

A very easy way to get rid of the old fuel in the tank is to start it up and drive it until it's empty. Toss a can of your favorite swill in it if you wish but if it starts, it'll go down the road fine most likely.