I'm finally doing it... The Jeep has been derelict for going on 4 years. Let's keep the Zoolander quotes to a minimum.
1997, 2.5l, MPFI, Wrangler
On top of the fact that it's nasty, critters living in it, pack rats in glove box, wasp nest above rear view mirror, algae growth, etc. It's had crap 10% Ethanol gasoline in it the whole time, 1/2 a tank if I recall. If the critters have chewed up wiring, fingers crossed, I will have bigger issues, but I expect it to not run well/want to start with the old gas.
It has been parked on the South side of a large barn, roof over it, but exposed to the elements on all sides.
Short of draining the tank, what's the best "band aid?" Top off tank with fresh gas and a can of Seafoam, MMO, or something else?
Are sticky injectors a legitimate concern?
Am I paranoid, and over thinking things?
Don't worry about it?
Just see if it runs and burn it off? I wouldn't worry about it.
Take off the gas cap and smell what's in the tank, if it smells like gas it should burn like gas. It's a problem if it smells like turpentine.
If it still smells like gas I'd just top it off with a few gallons of premium and run it. If it smells bad I'd probably drop the tank and drain it while visually inspecting the pump.
Siphon out as much as you can and run it in the lawnmower.
Will
SuperDork
5/21/14 6:53 p.m.
I just drained 10 gallons of gas out of my Camaro that's been sitting for 1.5 years. So far I haven't had any problems mixing it with newer gas in my MR2.
Just don't use it for a good natured gasoline fight.
Sorry....I couldn't help it.
You could always get an orange mocha frappachino to cheer yourself up if it doesn't start.
Will wrote:
I just drained 10 gallons of gas out of my Camaro that's been sitting for 1.5 years. So far I haven't had any problems mixing it with newer gas in my MR2.
My ls1/m3 sat for a year with a tank of fresh gas. Drove it around a bit, it breaks up if you really try to mash in the throttle but otherwise almost drives fine. As soon as it hits half a tank I will fill it up with fresh gas to dilute the bad gas.
Todays gas doesn't seem to go bad like it did years ago.
Kenny_McCormic wrote:
Siphon out as much as you can and run it in the lawnmower.
+1
I'd also recommend trying to flush it out of the fuel rail(s). Try to safely contain the gas that comes out, don't playfully spray it on anyone, no matter how sexy you think it looks.
A large part of the concern stems from my experience with the Volvo. When I lazily did an engine swap on it, it was a 7 month process, with 3/4 a tank of E10. It was extremely hard to start, and took a bottle of MMO, and topping off with fresh gas to limp it along. Wasn't really right until after the next fill up. So 4 year old gas has me a little more worried.
I'll give it my best "Blue Steel" while cranking, surely I won't have to go all out with "Magnum."
There was less fuel in it than I remembered, about 1/4 tank. I added 5 gallons of fresh, and a bottle of Marvel Mystery Oil. I put 4 oz. of Rislone in each cylinder and let it soak for about 2 hours. Changed the oil, then cranked it over with the plugs out and fuel pump relay removed to clear the Rislone from the cylinders.
Hooked jumper cables up, and she fired up with relatively little drama. 
There might be a slight exhaust leak. 
Took about 30 minutes to burn off all the Rislone, and oil I dribbled.
http://youtu.be/WQ_PSz6pT9o
You should definitely change the oil soon, theres two years of spring/fall condensation buildup in there.
In reply to Kenny_McCormic:
I changed it before I started it, but I bought 2 filters & enough oil to change it twice. Was going to drive it ~500 miles & change it again.
