Should I drain the tank ?????

[falconfling]

With a long term sickness in the family late last year and pending divorce, my '93 Z has sat in the garage without being started for four months...should I drain the tank, and put in fresh premium ? I'm afraid of fouling the injectors. TIA.

[zrss]

No need to drain the tank. Mine sit for 6 months or more every winter without any fuel or injector problems.

[jonszr1]

if you want to be on the safe side get some seafoam inj cleaner in the tank and fill it up with fresh. all you have to do is plug one of them and your in PIA syndrome. better safe than sorry jmho.

[WB9MCW]

just be ready to hear all the DOHC clatter until you build oil psi! About 15 seconds worth.

[tomtom72]

I guess the seafoam would work but I have an alternative opinion. How about getting some Fresh Start from the local marine supply store and adding that to what you have left in the tank.

Boats in colder climates sit up for the winter on full tanks. Usually we add Stabil before winter lay up and then add Fresh Start at spring commisioning. To be truthful I've never run into this with my Z but there have been times that I did forget the Stabil for my boat and had no ill effects using the fresh start after the winter lay-up. Ofcourse the F/filter and plugs would wait till the first fresh tank of fuel.

Do you use Techron fuel treatment on somewhat of a regular basis? You might try adding that to the tank if ya can't find a marine supply store. Or you can add both the Techron and the Fresh Start. This maybe much to do about nothing also as the OEM injectors are fairly good at keeping themselves clean so you might just use some Techron and let it go till you can put some fresh fuel in the car and then I'd change the F/filter & check the plugs. JMHO.


Tom

[WB9MCW]

FROM THE STA-BIL WEBSITE---

How long will STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer keep fuel fresh?
For 12 months when mixed into fresh gasoline. Doubling the dosage will keep fuel fresh for up to 2 years.

I have some gas in a tank that has been there more than 2 months. Will STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer make this old gas like new?
No, STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer will not restore or improve old gasoline. It will, however, stop it from degrading further. The best thing to do is treat the fuel as soon as you buy it.

Is STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer safe for fuel injectors and catalytic converters?
Absolutely yes! STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer prevents the formation of gums and varnish that can clog fuel injectors, and new formula STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer now has a fuel injector cleaner to further improve your engine’s performance.

What is the shelf life of STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer?
2 years after the bottle has been opened, provided it has been tightly capped and stored in a cool, dry place.

I put STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer in gas more than 12 months ago. If I put more STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer in will it extend the time that the gas is still usable?
No, re-treating already stabilized fuel that has been stored for a significant period of time will not significantly prolong the life of, nor improve the fuel.

What if my gas has already gone stale (i.e. has gummed up)?
If the engine starts, you should fill your tank with fresh gas and use a fuel injector cleaner product (such as 104+ Octane Boost). If your engine does not start, then you will need to seek a professional mechanic for cleaning and repairs.

Gold Eagle is proud to offer consumers in North America and around the globe many leading brands, including STA-BIL® Fuel Stabilizer, HEET® Gas-Line Antifreeze, 104+® Octane Boost, DieselPower!® Diesel Additives, AlumAseal® Radiator Stop Leak, NO-LEAK® Treatments, Gold Eagle® Convenience products, and the new For Dummies™ brand products. And for more than 70 years, we have backed all of our brands with our "Golden Guarantee" — if you are not fully satisfied, send us your receipt and we will refund your purchase price.



Does premium gas have the kick it claims, or is it a big waste of money?

Charles Brown bought his Nissan Maxima in 1999. The car's manual recommended that he use only premium gasoline, so he did. But within a week, the East Hampton, Conn., resident was filling up his car with the lowest octane fuel available.

"The extra cost seemed like a waste, and I've never had any problems with it," said Brown, an aeronautical engineer.

He is still driving the Maxima eight years later and has never needed a mechanic.

With gas prices high, consumers are fretting over the cost of filling up the tank. Those driving some of the most popular models, like the Honda Civic or the Chevy Impala, may not realize that they don't need to spend the extra 30 cents a gallon for high-octane gasoline.

"Some people think that their cars run better on a higher octane," said Sarah Miller, editor of World Gas Intelligence, which reports on trends in the natural gas market. “But if your car is built for regular and you put premium in it, you are wasting your money.”

With premium making up 15 percent of all gasoline pumped last year, it is clear that many Americans believe it adds to their car's mileage or lifespan.

The belief that high-octane gas is a better product likely stems from the years of advertising by oil companies, which claimed it “goes the extra mile” and “gets the knocks out.” Engine "knocks" occur when gas detonates too quickly, sending the piston up early and making the car lurch. This can lead to a decrease in performance and even engine damage.

But many experts say modern technology has eliminated the need for high-octane gas.

“Knock used to be a really big thing in the '70s and '80s,” said Philip Reed, author of "Strategies for Smart Car Buyers" and editor of Edmunds.com, an auto information Web site. “The computerization of cars has made engines much more sophisticated. Now they have sensors that can determine what you put in them and then make adjustments.”

In 1996, the Federal Trade Commission filed a false advertising complaint against Exxon that led to the end of television commercials promoting high-octane gas. As part of an agreement with the commission, Exxon produced new advertisements stating that regular gas was appropriate for most cars.

However, names like “V-Power,” “Super,” and “Power Plus” still seem to convey to many consumers that the high-octane versions are somehow superior.

That may be true, according to American Petroleum Institute, an industry association that represents a number of the larger gas companies, including Exxon Mobil, BP and Chevron. But if so, it has nothing to do with that magic octane number at the pump.

“Certain retailers, particularly major brands, will put in more than their share of required additives in their premium than in their regular gas,” said Patrick Kelly, a spokesman for API. “What you're taking advantage of is the extra additives, and not the higher octane.”

He said such additives were for “deposit control” and helped prevent carbon buildup in the engine that can cause the dreaded knocks.

“The knocking is a sign that there is something very wrong with the engine, and higher octane should eliminate that sound,” he said. “I usually blend the two, because my engine has high mileage, so I will typically top it off with some premium.”

Experts generally agree that some high-performance cars, including the Dodge Viper and Chevrolet Corvette, should use premium. Sports cars have different fuel chamber designs for faster speeds and acceleration, necessitating higher octane.
Standard SUVs, it turns out, don’t need the extra attention. These include models like the Chevy TrailBlazer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Explorer.

Reed of Edmunds.com advises drivers to study their owner's manuals to determine if a car should use premium gas. (They can also find the information on Edmunds.com.) Drivers should keep in mind that using low-octane gas in violation of a manufacturer's requirement might negate the warranty, Reed said.

Other experts say there is simply no better way to tell than to just test the gas.

“If a car engine knocks burning regular gas, then a premium is required,” said Dr. Roger Anderson, an energy expert at Columbia University. “If not, then you don't need the extra cost. The knocking is not destructive to the engine on an occasional basis, so I tell my students to try a tank of the cheaper gas and see.”

Hector Portorreal independently followed that advice with his 1999 Lincoln Town Car. The dealer who sold him the vehicle recommended regular gasoline. But at a Shell station in Manhattan recently, Portorreal eschewed regular at $2.61 in favor of the “V-Power” grade for 28 cents more a gallon.

“When I don't, it starts to run like this,” he said, violently shaking his fists up and down to simulate knocks.

As for the additives, Reed said any improvement in performance or gas mileage would be so slight it would probably not be worth the extra money.

But Anderson believes the additive detergents help keep his own engine clean.

“The soap, or detergent as it is officially called, was mainly to keep carburetors clean. But new fuel injection technologies don't need cleaning,” Anderson said.

Still, “I use premium in my Lexus for the soap.”

*Gasoline Shelf Life*
By: Palindrome
15 April 2005

http://www.alpharubicon.com/altenergy/gaslifepal.htm <<< CLICK HERE

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/060825.html <<< AND HERE TOO

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/cg...1;t=023323;p=0 <<< LAST ONE

[jonszr1]

Good call, on the fresh start. i forgot about that stuff having sold the boat a couple of years ago . the techron is good also. that used to be my mainstay till i became a seafoam nut. just my personal preferance. like he said it never hurts to be safe . good luck and it will be funto see on your face the first time the secondaries open up.

[A26B]

Treating the tank with a stabilizer is good. Keep the tank full to minimize the amount of air in the tank, ezpecially important to keep the pump/float assy covered to prevent rust. It is also important to start the engine after adding stabilizer to insure the treated fuel reaches the injectors.

[falconfling]

Many, many thanks to all of you for taking the time to post a reply...as usual, you are all greatly appreciated....

p.s. still looking for another '93 anni. ZR1 for purchase in next six months.

Gary