Running gas through a tank after 10+ years

[EccentricMagpies]

Fuel hasn't been in this car for I don't know how long.  I'm getting close to wanting to start the car but I don't want to instantly clog my filter either.  (and maybe that won't happen if it was clean fuel that dried up years ago)
I'm curious if it's a good idea to remove the fuel line from the inline filter to let some fuel run through the gas line? 
At least to just check what might be there and to flush it a little.

thanks

[XH29N0G]

I think you are asking for trouble, BUT I may be doing something similar with 1.5 y.o gas to see what it does.  Not fully ready to try but I have in the past.

[EccentricMagpies]

I think you are asking for trouble, BUT I may be doing something similar with 1.5 y.o gas to see what it does.  Not fully ready to try but I have in the past.

Not sure if this is the same is it?  I plan to actually put fresh gas in, not run through some 10 year old gas.  It's dry in the tank but I'm wondering if there is any crap (dried up sediment) that might work loose.  I have no idea if the car sat with an empty tank or full tank the day it stopped.

If I had 1.5 yo gas and knew what it was when it was put in, I'd simply add fresh gas to it.  1.5 yo doesn't seem that bad.

[4406bbl]

I would not do it...I have seen valves varnish and stick from old fuel too many times and damage an engine. At the least pump all old out, add a few gallons, shake car, pump that out, add new.

[EccentricMagpies]

I would not do it...I have seen valves varnish and stick from old fuel too many times and damage an engine. At the least pump all old out, add a few gallons, shake car, pump that out, add new.

Okay.  I take back my "I'd run 1.5 year old gas through" comment.

My tank is currently dry and has been for years for all I know.
So, I'm assuming you are suggesting run a few gallons through into some bucket and then hook everything back up.

updated my title too.
thanks,

[XH29N0G]

I'll leave you to sort this out and watch and decide what I do on the basis of what I see.   

[EccentricMagpies]

I'll leave you to sort this out and watch and decide what I do on the basis of what I see.   

I'll flush it.

[EccentricMagpies]

okay.. poured about 2 gallons in the tank.

cranking over the motor I am not seeing fuel at the pump.   Maybe let it crank 30 seconds 3x?
Does it take a while to fill the lines?  Or is it possible something else is not working correctly?

suppose it could be the sending unit or plugged line.. i'll have to pull the line at the tank to see.

[EccentricMagpies]

I'm going to assume its the sending unit.  it was completely dry on the back end of that line and I am not able to blow into or suck gas from the line.

[b5blue]

Harbor Freight sells a suction gun as big as a grease gun get one and pull fuel up to fuel pump intake. It may even siphon from there once full. 
https://www.harborfreight.com/oil-suction-gun-95468.html

[EccentricMagpies]

Harbor Freight sells a suction gun as big as a grease gun get one and pull fuel up to fuel pump intake. It may even siphon from there once full.  
https://www.harborfreight.com/oil-suction-gun-95468.html

That seems like an option once I see about this piece.
When I woke i thought to simply slide a wire into the line at the location of the sender and maybe i could free it up.
Well, turns out the wire went in about 1/2" before hitting a block already.
So, maybe all I need is a new fuel hose.  But, this clamp in the picture.  Is this crimped on?  Or is there a trick on removing it?

thanks,
john

[b5blue]

crimp clamps must be cut

[EccentricMagpies]

I replaced the hose but there is more to it than just in the hose.  Trying to push a wire into the sender itself hangs up and I cannot get forced air in that thing.

Looking at the main line to the filter i thought I'd see if that end had anything.  Sure enough, maybe went in an inch and i can feel the wire going through sludge-like crap.  Wire had a little on after pulling that back out.

So, two things.  Drop the tank and install new fuel line.
I installed a new fuel line so that end is done.  

From what I've been reading on here, the new senders are not worth buying and to rebuild the old one is advised.   So that will be what I plan once I pull it.  

[b5blue]

Ya know about the pickup sock on the end of the tube right?

[EccentricMagpies]

Ya know about the pickup sock on the end of the tube right?

Not until i pulled this one out I guess. 
I suppose i can see this thing would prevent any quick swap of fuel in/out.

Doesn't matter though.   Pulled the tank.  The old gas inside looked like molasses, holes on the top of the tank and the sending unit didn't really seem to have any free movement at all.   
I'll order new.

[375instroke]

I've driven a few cars that have sat for up to 10 years by just putting gas in and going without any real problems.  The first fuel filter gets clogged in a couple months, but that's it.

[b5blue]

Check the fuel lines for gummy crud also. 

[EccentricMagpies]

Check the fuel lines for gummy crud also.  

I replaced the fuel line yesterday after I tried sticking the wire down it.  Mentioned above


including a visual of what was there:
XH29N0G

[b5blue]

Wow! 

[XH29N0G]

Really ugly looking fuel.

Thanks

[EccentricMagpies]

And that was thinned out with 2 gallons of fresh gas


That stuff just "sticks" to you too

[70 sublime]

Bet you won't leave gas in it that long like that again

[EccentricMagpies]

Bet you won't leave gas in it that long like that again

Well.  I bought this car about 5 years ago.  Slowly took it apart and putting it back together. I have no idea how long it sat in the hot sun of Texas either. 
I really didn't think this was going to be an issue I guess.  Just figured the tank was empty.

Motor was stuck too. 
Anyhow I'm glad none of this ran through the rebuilt motor.

[RSI700VIPER]

What is that a picture of?  Looks like a trim ring lying in snow 

[jlatessa]

Looks like a container of REALLY bad fuel...LOL

Joe