Author Topic: Drain and refill with fresh fuel after 17 years  (Read 3962 times)

Offline iain cooper

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Drain and refill with fresh fuel after 17 years
« on: 13 June 2017, 10:15 »
I am now getting round to looking at putting my 87 mk2 8 valve  Gti  back on the road after being sorned and garaged for about 17 years !!

looking at changing fuel, etc before trying to start it.

would appreciate comments on best way to drain the fuel in the tank and refill with fresh fuel.

also any tips on preparing for first start up after so long.

thanks

Iain


Offline lemski

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Re: Drain and refill with fresh fuel after 17 years
« Reply #1 on: 13 June 2017, 14:41 »
Bridge fuel pump relay with pipe of the filter and itll push the fuel out.
Prep for 1st start. Turn by hand. Id also be swapping the cambelt as 17years is a long time for rubber to perish.

Offline iain cooper

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Re: Drain and refill with fresh fuel after 17 years
« Reply #2 on: 13 June 2017, 20:03 »
thanks lemski

Iain

Offline brettblade

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Re: Drain and refill with fresh fuel after 17 years
« Reply #3 on: 14 June 2017, 10:43 »
Agreed with lemski.  I'd also change the usual service items, including the plugs, and (for how much it costs) the auxiliary belt too.
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Offline iain cooper

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Re: Drain and refill with fresh fuel after 17 years
« Reply #4 on: 14 June 2017, 11:46 »
thanks guys, I'll need to have a look at the fuel filter and see if I can follow lemski's method of draining the fuel.

Iain

Offline pingman

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Re: Drain and refill with fresh fuel after 17 years
« Reply #5 on: 28 June 2017, 17:20 »
17 years! might that fuel be basically just sludge by now?  :shocked:

I think I might be inclined to maybe drop the tank and 'pour' it out (adding fresh fuel to dissolve and clean) - rather than risking trying to pump sludge that might clog/block pump/lines/rail etc!  :lipsrsealed:

In your case after after 17 years the oil will likely be a thick emulsified sludge too - defiantly don't not try starting without changing that or you'll block up the oil pump, pathways, pickup etc -  best it would be a messy sump off job to rectify, worst you gunk entire engine and it needs costly complete disassembly and rebuild. I would probably change it before even hand cranking the engine tbh.

For complete recommission I would do this order:

drop oil
change oil filter
fresh oil
spark plugs out
turn engine over by hand using wrench to confirm engine is not seized
fit new cambelt kit (inc tensioner)
fit new aux belts at same time
new spark plugs
drain coolant (bottom radiator hose)
new antifreeze coolant (use the good 5yr+ stuff)
drain fuel tank
plenty of fresh fuel in
disconnect fuel line at engine end
pump the fresh fuel through the line until fresh fuel comes out
reconnect fuel line at engine
new air filter (old one may have disintegrated, don't want that sucked into engine!)
new battery
try start

*VERY RISKY* option; If you don't want to spend out on new parts/fluids for an unknown engine to just check it starts the VERY RISKY option is:

check air filter hasn't disintegrated (remove/replace if so)
plugs out
check engine turns over by hand
plugs back in
drain oil
drain fuel tank
fresh fuel
try start

DISCLAIMER, you risk engine damage if you run engine for more than 1 or 2 seconds with no lubrication! Same with your cambelt braking as the pistons will smash into and break all the valves. Both cases will need rebuild. It may take a while to start on cranking as the old fuel in the line likely won't be combustible and there is some risk of blocking injectors and saturating plugs.

Obviously if it started OK for those 1-2 seconds, do all the other stuff from first list, new oil, coolant, cambelt, filter etc etc.

If it's seized, there's a load of various tricks to unsieze, hot oil into the cylinders etc.

Offline iain cooper

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Re: Drain and refill with fresh fuel after 17 years
« Reply #6 on: 28 June 2017, 19:27 »
thanks pingman,  some good points to take on board.

Iain

ps I've had it since new so not an unknown engine  :smiley:
« Last Edit: 28 June 2017, 19:30 by iain cooper »

Offline pingman

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Re: Drain and refill with fresh fuel after 17 years
« Reply #7 on: 28 June 2017, 20:01 »
np, forgot to say fuel filter too if that's been sitting with fuel in it for 17 years

Have you checked the condition of the chassis for rust etc? might be ok if its been dry stored but should defiantly check if it's MOT worthy.

Offline iain cooper

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Re: Drain and refill with fresh fuel after 17 years
« Reply #8 on: 29 June 2017, 08:19 »
thanks pingman,  the chassis should be ok as stored in my garage.

may need a bit of reundersealing here and there, but she is remarkably rustfree for a 30 year old car. ( 80,000mls )

Iain