MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Old gas

Looks like there's a decent chance I'll be ready to start it up the next day or two after it's been down for the past year and a half getting replacement hydraulics and numerous other tinkerings and cosmetics.
Thing is, I'm concerned about the gas; it's been sitting in the system all that time.
Any heads up or red flags regarding gas that old before I turn it over?
Come to think of it, any other considerations from sitting that long? Thanks..
Rick deOlazarra

Drain the old stuff, put the new in. Its a good plan!
Steven Devine

I would have said drain it and put fresh fuel in it, because in the past I have had problems with cars or motorcycles not running on old fuel.

Fuel consist of light and heavy particles, the light ones burn easily, but also evaporate faster. So with a lot of evaporation the heavier particles remain and they are harder to ignite.

That said, I was surprised that my YA started immediately on 1.5 year old fuel last week. It was put away with a full tank though.

A car sitting that long could have problems with the hydraulics, but you fixed them, so tyre pressure should be checked and you may want to watch the oil pressure gauge at start up; in rare instances the oil pump looses it's prime with no oil pressure at start up as a result.
Willem van der Veer

Rick, try it and see first!
Art Pearse

It started up and ran fine on the old gas. Nice to hear it come to life again after all this time!
Thanks for the feedback..
Rick deOlazarra

I think I would at least open the float chambers, and clean out the fuel in there, also , make sure that the needles and seats are clean, as sticking floats can result from dried fuel.
Edward
Edward Wesson 52TD

Rick,

I would hesitate to call the stuff they sell us in CA gas. It sucks up water quickly, even in the low humidity of CA. Having moved here from PA, and just having smog checked one of my MGs, the amount of water absorbed into old gas is high; it shows up at NO in the smog check. Two solutions come to mind for the old stuff. Add in a supplement of drygas (methanol), about a pint per 10 gallons is the old formula. Or add in some Stabil or equivalent. It will run a bit richer but will help burn off the old stuff. The best thing to do is to fill the tank with fresh stuff, then run it down to 1/4, then do it again. I call it stuff, because it ain't gas.

Best of luck,

Ira
Ira Spector (PA)

Rick,

I would hesitate to call the stuff they sell us in CA gas. It sucks up water quickly, even in the low humidity of CA. Having moved here from PA, and just having smog checked one of my MGs, the amount of water absorbed into old gas is high; it shows up as NO in the smog check. Two solutions come to mind for the old stuff. Add in a supplement of drygas (methanol), about a pint per 10 gallons is the old formula. Or add in some Stabil or equivalent. It will run a bit richer but will help burn off the old stuff. The best thing to do is to fill the tank with fresh stuff, then run it down to 1/4, then do it again. I call it stuff, because it ain't gas.

Best of luck,

Ira
Ira Spector (PA)

Hear, hear...
I put some "Extend" in the tank before doing the year and a half downtime & a dollop of that "E-Zorb" stuff that absorbs or emulsifies water in the "stuff". Amazingly, I haven't noticed any downside to the way it's running so far; all of 3 or 4 miles...
Rick deOlazarra

This thread was discussed between 13/07/2013 and 21/07/2013

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGA BBS now