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MG MGB Technical - Stale Fuel

Last summer I got my 1974 B back on the road. A part of the project was to pump out the old fuel and take it to the tip in a 5l plastic can. I cleaned the carbs and all was well. I used the car a bit over the winter, but didn't need to refuel. With the current pandemicmeasures the B now has fuel which is 8 months old. An I right in thinking I should get a can, pump out the fuel, clean the carbs and refill with fresh fuel?
Gordo

Personally I wouldn't (I'd drive the car and use that fuel).

There's also too much scaremongering about what the 5% ethanol that might be in your fuel could (might) do to the fuel system.

Depending on what you did and didn't replace during the restoration might make some odds, or not.

Having a car not moving and being used properly doesn't do it any good anyway. If you've not needed to refuel over winter and the fuel is 8 months old even allowing for the current situation is it that that you've made the car too precious to use enough to keep it in good running condition. The car is allowed to be used even in these times, in fact I've seen more classics used than in normal times.

If it's that you have to shelter then perhaps someone else could drive it (I can hear the thuds as others hit the floor in a feint).

I'm sure others will be along with a different view and list of the necessary steps in a procedure, and procedure for storage of the car.
Nigel Atkins

I actually agree with Nigel (swoon) and think the fuel should be fine. At least start the car and let it warm up. Then you will know. As he said, like any machine, cars need to be used. Not using them makes them deteriorate faster.
Mike Howlett

With old carburettor cars the fuel age is not such an issue as it is for modern fuel injected cars. Performance will suffer a little and starting may be harder in cold weather.

Personally, depending on the amount of fuel in the tank, I would either top up the tank with fresh fuel or drain all but a couple of gallons and then top up. The old fuel can be added a couple of gallons at a time each refill after that.

If you want to keep fuel fresh for longer, you might consider using a fuel stabiliser.

See - https://www.wynns.eu/product/fuel-stabilizer/
Chris at Octarine Services

Agreed the fuel should not be a problem. Eight months is quite a long time but my roadster can be running on the same tank for six or seven months over 'winter' without any problems.
paulh4

Thanks chaps. It ticks over happily on the driveway so will venture out and burn off the last bit of fuel.
Gordo

Fuel should last over eight months. My lawnmower started up second or third pull after not being used since last October. Generally, the older/simpler the vehicle, the more it'll withstand being left for a while. Correspondingly, the younger it is it won't. Chris's point about topping up the tank is a good one. Some of the fuel in my Riley must be at least eighteen months old, sitting there whilst I was doing some repairs, but it easily started up after a little bit of manual override on the mechanical fuel pump.

To exacerbate, in a modern vehicle there's so much electronic stuff running in the background that self isolating types are finding that their modern hatchbacks need to keep the battery on a trickle charge if they're not using the vehicle every week.
Peter Allen

Been out in it this morning. It behaved impeccably in the Surrey Hills.
Gordo

Good news.

But you need (many) repeats to be sure. :)
Nigel Atkins

I had never been concerned with pump fuel being left in my cars over the winter months and also in my generator, lawnmower, leaf blower, or weed trimmer until recently. When getting my one year old leaf blower serviced because it would not start the service manager said if it had “old fuel” it would not be covered by the warranty. He said I should be using “recreational fuel” without ethanol.
That being said my B seems to run just fine with last summers pump fuel.
L Frisch

"He said I should be using “recreational fuel” without ethanol."

From him, at a premium price, it wouldn't surprise me to hear.
paulh4

This thread was discussed between 03/05/2020 and 17/05/2020

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