Defuel?


B

bd041556

GT Owner
Nov 12, 2023
3
Naples, FL
I purchased a 2020 GT with 18 miles on it. The fuel gauge reads about 3/4. I am worried that this fuel may be the "original" fuel, so my plan was to at least mostly defuel it and put in fresh fuel. This hasn't turned out to be quite a simple as I thought it would be. I bought a fuel transfer pump. I was hoping to simply insert the flexible input fuel tube into the fuel filler neck, but the capless fuel filler required the use of the adapter that was provided with the car for the purpose of adding fuel using a portable gas can. I made some modifications to that plastic adapter to allow me to insert the flexible tube from my transfer pump through the adapter. However, I was able to feed about 18" of tubing through the adapter, and then it seemed to hit something. I tried turning on the transfer pump, but no fuel was pumped out. Upon withdrawing the tubing, it was completely dry so I conclude that there must be a turn in the tank's inlet plumbing or something else blocking the insertion of the flexible tubing.

I know others have purchased delivery-miles-only GTs - has anyone successfully drained the fuel?

I tried using the search tool to find other threads, but the only relevant ones I could find were in the 05-06 Forum.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you could provide.
Barry Bentley
 
Ask the PO when they last put fuel in it and how long they ran the engine (if you're really anal, I think you can read the engine hours off the ECU through the display, and if you can't, a dealer can). If refueled in the last two years, I wouldn't worry about it. If it starts easily and runs, I wouldn't worry about it. Just burn out the fuel in there, and add new fuel with Chevron Techron.

If you still want to drain the fuel, I can't say what the procedure is for a 2020 GT, but the process I've used on other cars consists of disconnecting the fuel supply line to the engine, and running the pump until bubbles start coming through. Once you get bubbles, stop. The fuel pump is lubricated and cooled by the gas flow, so don't run it completely dry. Then add new fuel and run it a little more to pump the new fuel through the lines.

Then drive the damn thing!
 
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I don't know that I would trust my fuel gauge so much. I filled my 2018 up Saturday to the top and got in the car. It said I had 202 miles until empty as I left and still read 202 after the 35 mile drive home. Since I have almost 12,000 miles on my car, I am used to it and know I can go 300 miles on a tank. What you might try is putting the car in track mode and watching how much gas is left on the gauge then. I have found the gauge is much more accurate in track mode, especially at low levels as evidenced by the miles to empty reading.
 
Can we assume you do not plan to drive the car?

Welcome to the forum, from another Naples resident.
 
Specracer said:
Can we assume you do not plan to drive the car?

Welcome to the forum, from another Naples resident.
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Specracer, I absolutely plan to drive the car! Probably not a lot, but enough to keep it "exercised".

PeteK, thanks for the suggestion, but I don't think I am qualified to disconnect fuel lines and stuff like that!

The engine starts and seems to run fine on the gas in the car, but I thought replacing the fuel would be cheap insurance for a substantial investment.

Thanks,
Barry
 
Seems like a big hassle when you could just drive it to use the fuel that's in it, right?
 
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Some say adding fresh gas in a 3 gallons new to 1 gallon old ratio does the trick.
 
nota4r3 - What I'm worried about is that the 5 year old fuel that's in the tank will harm the engine.

Tipo874 - If the tank was only 1/4 full, that's exactly what I would do!
 
If the car starts, idles and revs fine, and no codes, I'd drive it, probably gently just to be safe. Start with just around your neighborhood / stay close to home. And maybe fill the tank the rest of the way with new gas first, then drive it til 1/2 tank and top it off again.

I don't have a 17-22 GT but if it's like the 05-06 GT which eats gas around town, it's pretty easy to burn thru it; the small gas tank helps with that.
 
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bd041556 said:
What I'm worried about is that the 5 year old fuel that's in the tank will harm the engine.
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Out of an abundance of caution, perhaps I would stay out of high boost, but as other have said, you're not going to hurt anything driving it around. Go out for a nice drive and get to know the car. That will be plenty rewarding!
 
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I would 100% just drive it. Use up some fuel, then fill it up. As stated by nota4re, give it some time. I would any way, to break it in. Enjoy the car, and maybe see it around.
 
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I think "bd" is one of those guys who marries a supermodel, then saves her for the next guy. ;)
 
Definitely just drive it. Add fuel, cruise the freeway, enjoy the car. Half tank, fill it up again as mentioned above. I'd put the highest octane fuel from a regular gas station locally. Out west, 91 ethanol is our best. In the NE, 93 and 94 Sunoco. Dont know what FL has. The engine will self protect if it detects detonation( not positive, maybe Joe can confirm), but staying away from full throttle will help this too.
600 miles for the breakin.. You'll be on your third tank by then. Enjoy, they are great cars.
 
Didn't take the time to read all the responses... just top it off with some fresh fuel in it and drive it.... You can always just keep running down a little bit and keep topping it off with fresh fuel.🏁
 
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