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Can i run my car on old gas? (Expert mechanics only!!!)?

My car has been in the garage for about 10 months and i was wondering if i can run it on that gas, its a dodge stealth with fuel injection, was told that i can and cant.

11 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    You can usually start a car and run it, but you run the risk of the varnish and wax that has formed in the gas can clog up the pump,filters,injectors as well as possibly cause poor runability as the gas has lost some of it's properties.

    As someone said, if you only have a few gallons in the tank, you can possibly fill up and break up a lot of that varnish and it shouldn't harm it..... but with a stelth, you may not want to risk it like you would mom's taxi

    I've started and ran cars that went 1 year between gas fillups with no problems before, but a used car lot has to take a chance to remain profitable... If I were you, it is wiseable to remove the old gas and replace with fresh fuel.

    The ATF that someone recommended was good in the old carburator days, but with fine fuel injectors I wouldn't recommend it.. plus the engine will run bad sometimes on it too

    When I store, I rather stabil or one of the fuel storage mixes out there

    Source(s): 12 years professional enough?
  • 1 decade ago

    DONT START THE CAR THE WAY IT IS!!!! 10 months is a long time for gas. If you must run it then fill the tank with premium fuel BEFORE you start it and add a fuel stabilizer (in case there is any water that accumulated from the sweating of the tank.) Dont romp the gas pedal until after you have got the car down to at least a half a tank of gas and refilled it again with premium gas and added a fuel stabilizer again.........Naturally the best option is to drain the tank and start fresh but for most people (like me) that isnt on option. I am a mechanic who has gone through this before......

  • ?
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Please drain out the old fuel and use it in the lawn mower. Stale fuel builds up moisture and will clog the 160 dollar each fuel injectors. Remove the gas tank drain out all the old fuel and reinstall the tank with a new sending unit "o" ring. Some times your car might have a little cover just above the tank to access the sending unit it is either under the back seat or on the front of the trunk floor just behind the back seat look for a cover before dropping the exhaust and tank out the bottom. Siphon off the old fuel from the fuel tank after removing the sending unit fuel pump assembly. Find some one to give you five gallons of new gasoline. While cranking up the first time check for leaks at all the places you worked then reassemble everything you took off and drive. Dispose of bad gasoline properly charcoal grills really fly on gasoline (unsafe) Give the old gas to the lawn boy. For his blower and weed eater

    Source(s): 30 year auto tech, Nissan Master Tech
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Yes you can, to the nearest gas station. I'd pour in a couple of bottles of dry gas just to take out the moisture Cost: $3 I've let my motorcycle set for 18 mo. and it started. It idled rough till I got to the station and put in more and I didn't add any dry gas to it. Over the years I have had cars that I let sit for a few mo. and had no problem with old gas

    Source(s): GM emp 31 yrs and an avid backyard mech with friends who are the same
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  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    you comprehend i became into going to advise an entire intricate bunch of issues to attempt however the extra i examine over your submit the further and extra in convince myself you have a intake leak some have been ... examine the snorkel that runs out of your air clear out on your throttle physique for cracks many times that may not a topic notwithstanding it is in some autos .. secondly it relatively is sort of trickier to yet ok im going to objective and describe this so if your no longer a experianced mechanic or comprehend lots approximately autos you may get a concept .. stick to your air clear out up the snorkel in direction of the returned of your engine which will hit your throttle physique (an element that opens and closes to swap air circulate on your engine ..) then the area thats bolted to the throttle physique would be your intake manifold .. stick to it down the rear of the engine to have been it meets the engine in there have been the two meet there's a gasket now get your self a can of wd 40 (would would desire to thieve a tube that incorporates the cans from yet another can) and tape the two tubes jointly now spray alongside that gasket calmly around the tops components and in case you are able to effectively do it below as properly jointly as the motor vehicle is working if the rpm shoot up you have a intake leak which might one hundred% make sence .. the tough idle and the stalling .. air is bypassing the maf sensor so the engine does not comprehend the spectacular gasoline mixture and is working to lean and makes for a coarse stalling experience .. regrettably if it is the case there is not any rapid outdoors mechanic fix .. you will desire to swap that gasket .. and there a soreness to do ..

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    It wont run as good but yes it WILL run. I have seen gas alot older than that in a car and it started. Just fill it with new gas and use some injector cleaner you will be fine.

  • 1 decade ago

    you should store it in 1 of 2 ways.

    Either with the tank completely full or empty.

    If full you can hedge your bet with something like Stabil which preserves the gas for months.

    Still, I don't think it would be a large problem if you put some hightest in it, provided its less than half full when you do.

    I recommend using ATF(Automatic Transmission Fluid) about a half pint per ten gallons, this will clean and lubricate the fuel system.

    Source(s): Go easy on it on initial start up, as the oil has drained out of the components and needs a few seconds to refill the passages.
  • matt
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    this is Mr. Hughes with Mobil-exxon: my thought would be to empty that gas and fill up with high test our profit margin could use a little help here!

    Source(s): Mobil-Exxon Vice-President of Marketing
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    you can, but shouldn't

    old gas will gum up your injection

    drain it and put fresh in it

    cheaper than new injectors and an engine

  • 1 decade ago

    no no have it flushed first and put new gas

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