How can I drain bad gas from LS400, hasn't been started in 2 years

jagjane · 10-28-09, 08:22 PM

My LS400 1994 is located at a second home and (unfortunately) it has not been started in almost 2 years. A mechanic told me the gas will be bad and that it should all be drained "before" ever attempting to start the car the first time. Does anyone have advice on what to do, maybe drain all the fuel, or what else could I try to maybe save this car? Is there a drain plug somewhere on how would be the best way to do this?

I sure would appreciate your ideas on this! Very bad I know .....

duncan351 · 10-28-09, 09:53 PM

Have you tried just starting the car? As long as the cap has been on the tank the entire 2 yrs. The gas is good enough for the car to run. Just drive it normal until you burn that tank of gas up. You could even throw some Barryman's B12 in the tank to help it out and you'll be just fine

LiCelsior · 10-28-09, 11:02 PM

thats a negative Duncan....gas looses octane level as it ages.

Jagjane, i would suggest using some sort of vacuum system to vacuum all the old gas out and put some fresh 93 with octane boost in it. you can also try to siphon it. once u done that, change your oil while ur at it also. i would also check your tires as they may be dry rotted.

fourthmeal · 10-28-09, 11:02 PM

hmmm, consider stabil or something that can be added to gas, and add more fuel to dilute.

Replace fuel filter soon though.

PureDrifter · 10-29-09, 12:02 AM

replace the fuel filter NOW, and at the same time while you have the hose disconnected, remotely trigger the fuel pump with the hose pointing into a gas can. should empty most of the bad gas out.

skperformance · 10-29-09, 02:11 AM

drop a can of seafoam in and idle it out to remove any varnish , then fill with 1/2 and another can of seafoam. It will be fine.

nthach · 10-29-09, 02:21 AM

Go to Pep Boys and get a shaker siphon - if you can get the shaker valve into the tank. Change the fuel filter too and if you can, the fuel pump strainer.

If you want to use PureDrifter's method via jumping FP and B+ at the diagnostics terminal on the engine, keep in mind there is no hose ends, just 10mm flare fittings on both sides.

Thermactor · 10-29-09, 06:03 AM

just start it up and drive it mellow

toledo ron · 10-30-09, 07:27 PM

I agree with just running it. In the past I have had a boat which sat for two or three seasons and a 60's convertible which also was parked for several years. The boat had a sixty five gallon tank so draining it was not a easy option. I would typically just run the old tank through since low octane was not a real worry. This never caused problems accross the five or six times I had a boat or car in this circumstance. If it came up running o.k. I would not do anything more then inspecting hoses belts and other wear and leak related items to make sure no problems resulted from a seal taking a "set" during the period of not running. You could then change the fuel filter if your are worried about it. I would be more concerned about how to insure oil is as well distributed inside the engine before starting it after a long idle period then the condition of the fuel.