I have a 2002 Dodge caravan sport. It was purchased in 2004 and had a little over 19,000 miles on it. In 2008 I got a virus in my ear and quit driving it. Foolishly I let it sit in my driveway for seven years. I brought it back to life in 2015. It’s actually a converted handicap van. I have put over $5000 into it to bring it back to life $2500 for the engine work about $3000 worth of conversion work.
My question is, is it bad to mix old gas with new gas. I’ve been doing it for a few years but last year it started miss firing. But it hasn’t done it since. Recently I let it get down to just about a half a tank of gas then I filled it up. Is this van OK to drive or do I need to get all the gas out of there And then fill it up again? I am wheelchair-bound and I do not want this van stalling on me in the middle of traffic. I’m afraid to drive it now. When it idles it’s quiet, but then it gets a little louder for a few seconds, then it quiets back down again.
Is there anything I need to do to it? Is it wise to add a fuel detergent to it and if so, what brand? When filling up the gas tank how low should I let the gas get before filling it up again?
Thank you for your time.
Gas is only good for a few months, half a year max. It could definitely clog up your fuel lines and stall out and possibly damage your engine too.
I don’t think that’s entirely true. If that were the case it would’ve happened years ago. I’m not putting old gas from a container that’s been sitting in my garage. I’m talking about gas from the pump. I’ve read several comments on the Internet that has said it’s fine. Then some say it’s not. So I’m confused. What do I do with all this gas that’s in my tank? Let it run out? And then when do I refill the tank? At a half a tank, or a 1/4 tank?
I also don’t let my car sit for months on end. Granted, I don’t drive that much but I do go out and run it. And will be doing that more now until that gas gets out of there. Thank you for your comment.