Need advice on gas removal of 308

Depends on how much is in the car - inevitably it will be more than you think. If its only a small amount (like less than zero on the gauge) then maybe take it out the bridge pipe but if its any more than that then disconnect one of the lines after the fuel pump & connect a long piece of hose to it so that you can then use the fuel pump to pump the tank out either into another car or a suitable size container - just switch the ignition on. Once that's done then drain the rest from the bridge pipe.

Strongly suggest you do it outside & have a foam or powder fire extinguisher to hand.

While you have the tanks empty it would be a really good time to replace all the flexible fuel lines and the fuel filter.

HTH

I

 

Throw a can of dry gas in the tank and put in a few gallons of gas. Then start it up. I leave my car sit for 5 months and it doesn't hurt it. Just drive it.

 

I agree with Steve, some gas treatment and fresh gas and start er up....you will do less damage, if any at all, than doing all that work and risking blowing your car and yourself up. gas and its vapors are dangerous ..

 

Well, yes & no. If its done outside & carefully the risks should be minimal. Besides, if he has't already replaced his fuel hoses now would be a great opportunity to have a good look at doing them.

I.

 

One thing I can tell you with great authority, if the gas has sat long enough to turn to varnish, and you run that through the car, you will be very unhappy. Ask me why I know, and how hard and expensive it is to clean up.

 

For what it's worth I just started up my 308 after it had been sitting idle for 21 months.

Granted, I had put it away with full tanks and stabil fuel saver but it didn't take long to fire up, and has been running great. I personally believe in stabil, I know others have had different experiances but I like the stuff.

In this case it doesn't sound like there was fuel stabilizer. If there is not a lot of fuel in the car I'd drain it and replace the hoses/clamps as long as your at it. If you've been doing a lot of work, I'd hate to have to go back in there because everything got messed up due to fuel varnish.

The fuel is probably ok... fuel dry and some fresh gas would probably be fine. It's mostly up to you if not doing 1 more day of work is worth risking all you've done over the last few months.

Good luck

 

The only problem I've had with leaving gas in the tank >1 year was rust particles causing the fuel pump to stick. That was in southern UK temperatures - so pretty low temps by CA standards!

 

I haven't done this yet, but how about disconnecting the carb fuel line where it either enters the first carb, or where it loops from one back carb to the other and attaching6 or 10 feet of hose, to either fill cans or the old lady's ride. turn the key on and it pumps. Pay attention so you do not over-flow.

The principal advantage is that you do not have to keep your finger on the end of the hose, to keep gravity from flooding everything, just have a helper either holding the hose or minding the ignition key, (to shut off the fuel pump).

After watching the yellow 308 go up in flames, I am inclined to finally get around to all the old hoses while the tank is empty - hell, what is another sumer weekend without being able to drive the car, compared to the piece of mind...

hth,
chris

p.s., might as well do the fuel filter, filler neck and crossover hoses. DO NOT FORGET THE G.D. EVAPORATIVE HOSES! all of them - old rubber is not to be trusted - remember the yellow 308 - end of rant - have a nice day.

cm

 

One thing that concerns me on all 308s is the condition of the two rubber hoses on each side of the cross over tube. They get old and crack! I have seen more than one 308 go up in flames. Drain the tanks and replace both hoses if you do not know when this was last done. I do it at every major (belt) service just like changing oil. Also if there is any water in your tanks you will get it out. Don't want to scare anyone but I believe that it is very important! That goes for Boxers too. ( Hose is 1 3/8 & buy 4 #24 hose clamps while your at it )

 

Another problem: once you take the "old" gas out of the tank, what are you going to do with it? I've done this before and then couldn't find anything to do with the old gas. I suppose you could use it your lawn mower if you have one (I didn't). I ended up just running it a bit at a time in my wife's modern car mixed with the rest of a tank of new gas, ha!

 

I too run stale gas thru my other cars, a couple of gallons at a time in a tank that's at least half-full. Seems to burn fine. If it's truly stale, then it doesnlt run worth a darn in my tractor unless mixed with fresh gas. Takes at least 2 parts fresh to 1 of old to burn halfway decently, 4:1, or 5:1 is even better. Not much difference after 5:1 tho.

My experience has been that as long as I top off the tank before letting a car or motorcycle sit up, (minimizes surface exposed to air), the gas holds up quite well. After up to a year, the gas seems to be fine. However, after 18 to 20 months, it's lost a lot of volatiles & doesn't like to ignite.

Have started using StaBil, but don't have any long-term storage results.