Draining the Gas Tank...

[creekman]

My car been sitting for 7 months and the gas is smelling a little stinky. After about 5 months I filled the remainder of the gas tank with new gas and added Sta-Bil to the gas. The gas doesn't smell real bad, but definitely has an odor and a yellowish color. I don't know if the yellow color is because the gas is stale or from the

Sta-Bil?

Would you drain the gas tank, if so what is the easiest way to do that? Can you syphon most of the gas through the gas tank fill opening?

Thanks,

[JFP in PA]

My car been sitting for 7 months and the gas is smelling a little stinky. After about 5 months I filled the remainder of the gas tank with new gas and added Sta-Bil to the gas. The gas doesn't smell real bad, but definitely has an odor and a yellowish color. I don't know if the yellow color is because the gas is stale or from the

Sta-Bil?

Would you drain the gas tank, if so what is the easiest way to do that? Can you syphon most of the gas through the gas tank fill opening?

Thanks,

A siphon is about your only option, or some flame proof pumping system. Be careful with the siphon hose that is does not become caught on anything inside the tank or filler neck. The small amount of StaBil will not alter the color or smell of the gas,

[creekman]

My car been sitting for 7 months and the gas is smelling a little stinky. After about 5 months I filled the remainder of the gas tank with new gas and added Sta-Bil to the gas. The gas doesn't smell real bad, but definitely has an odor and a yellowish color. I don't know if the yellow color is because the gas is stale or from the

Sta-Bil?

Would you drain the gas tank, if so what is the easiest way to do that? Can you syphon most of the gas through the gas tank fill opening?

Thanks,

A siphon is about your only option, or some flame proof pumping system. Be careful with the siphon hose that is does not become caught on anything inside the tank or filler neck. The small amount of StaBil will not alter the color or smell of the gas,

Thanks for the reply... You make a good point about getting the hose caught in the tank filler pipe. I had a Chevy Blazer with a custom 40 gallon tank so I could fill my airplane. However at the time I didn't realize that each time I dropped the hose into the tank and pulled it out that I was chaffing the rubber hose until one day the gas filter became so clogged that the

engine quit. I think with your comment that the Sta-Bil doesn't change the color of the gas I better try and get the gas out.

[JFP in PA]

StaBil is a great product for cars in storage as it will keep the gas fresh for up to two years. I think the problem in your case was the gas had started to go off before you added the StaBil.

[creekman]

I took a 3/8" I.D. hose down the fill pipe, I was only able to siphon about 2 gallons of gas, then it started to suck air. The hose wouldn't go down any further... I can't believe there's no way to drain the tank short of removing it.

I guess you could remove the battery and the top cover to the gas tank expose the fuel pump in the tank to get at the gas? Am I correct? Just seems like there should be an easier way...

Edited September 15, 2013 by creekman

[Loren]

C4/C4S have a "saddle bag" gas tank - that is part is on each side of the front differential.

[creekman]

Thanks Loren for your reply. I think you're saying that there's no way a siphon hose can get into the "saddle bags" of the tank. HOwever in my case the gas tank was full and I was only able to extract about 2 gallons. I'm going to try a smaller diameter hose to see if I can get further down into the tank.

[Loren]

Yes, I am saying small diameter hose (will take longer) and a lot of fishing around to get to the saddle bag portion.

[creekman]

I tried a 3/8" O.D. hose and wasn't able to get it any further down the fill pipe than the larger hose. I've showed a sample of the gas to several knowledgeable people and they both agreed

the gas wasn't that bad. It's not good, but since the gas isn't coming out I guess I'll just run the gas out ASAP.