| realcrouton |
Posted
Monday, Jul 24th 8:22pm [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 35
Washington, USA
1977 320i, 1981 323i, 1991 325ic, 2000 328i |
A friend I go scuba diving with just got this speed boat (engine is a Oldsmobile 455) that had been sitting for six years under a tree. Before the previous owner parked it there he filled both tanks to the top and mixed in Stabil fuel stabilizer. (It smells OK, not stale or varnishiy to me) We have not tried to fire it up yet. Do you guys think the fuel will be ok to use after sitting for six years with Stabil in it or not? We'd like to use the fuel for the obvious savings of at least $150 in gas, but we also don't want to screw anything up.
Any opinions floating around out there?
-Dave
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| DHoang |
Posted
Tuesday, Jul 25th 8:15am [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 338
Texas USA
323i, e39 528i, Maserati Spider, Tundra LTD V8 p/up |
In 2000, I parked a 1997 Ford escort (that was willed to my wife) under a tree for five years.
Did not put 1 mile on the odo during those 5 yrs. NO stabil added to tank.
It ran just like a new car. Our neighbor bought it from us just last year.
I think gasoline has improved much in the way that motor oil has improved over the years. |
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| jdench |
Posted
Tuesday, Jul 25th 12:54pm [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 78
Sussex, UK
1979 E21 323i, 1998 E36 323i touring |
As long as there is no moisture in the tanks, the pertol should be ok. It might run a bit rough as the more volitile aromatics will have probably evaporated (how hot does it get where you are?)
But, saying that, my e21 ran ok when I accidentaly put 2stroke petrol in it. At first I thought a valve stem had eaten itself, but then I got the aroma of castrol R and I knew what I had done  plugs were a bit mucky, but it ran ok.
Put some more Stabil in it for good luck! |
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| imaradiostar |
Posted
Tuesday, Jul 25th 7:40pm [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 834
Nashville, TN
81 323i, 82 525i, 85 524td, 90 535i |
Maybe you should put a little fresh gasoline in there to stir things up a bit.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to drain one of the carbs and see how it smells and looks- I've found a car will sometimes have decent gas in the tank but the stuff in the carb may varnish up due to the proximity to fresh air.
jamie |
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| realcrouton |
Posted
Tuesday, Jul 25th 8:32pm [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 36
Washington, USA
1977 320i, 1981 323i, 1991 325ic, 2000 328i |
Thanks for the tips guys. I called Stabil yesterday (not the sunniest personalities I have ever spoken to) and they said that stabil will stabilize the fuel for two years max. But I'm leaning in the direction of trying to run it any way. The tanks are full to the very top, so I don't think there is any moisture in there. (our climate here in Western Washington is very similar to yours over there in England) draining the fuel out of the carbs sounds like a good idea, and maybe taking out some of the old stuff and putting in new like Jamie said, the secret to pollution is dilution, right? 
I'll let you know how it works.
-Dave
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| BruceH |
Posted
Tuesday, Jul 25th 8:43pm [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 976
Atlanta, GA USA
81 323 Baur, 85 745 |
If possible I would consider draining/siphoning a few gallons off the bottom. That is where the muck is going to be.
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| bmw_m_320i |
Posted
Wednesday, Jul 26th 6:06am [Edit] [Quote] [IMS] [View car] |
Member
Post nr. 701
Helena, Montana
none right now :( |
yeah, all of the water will be at the bottom of the tank, so if you could drain some off of the bottom, you'll be able to find out how much water there is before the engine does. |
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