I've been bad, old gas in the 40

[Max.Powerzz]

Last October 2018 the 40 started running pretty rough and I parked it. This is a lame excuse but I was extremely busy at work and haven't been able to touch it for about a year. She ran like a sewing machine before she got rough when I put her away. I kept meaning to put seafoam in to treat the fuel but never did.

So I'm a moron and of course the fuel smells like varnish. Dare I just drain the fuel from the tank, put seafoam in the tank and oil, and start it up? My big concern is I don't want to gum up the carb. I've been meaning to clean the fuel tank too as it has some rust showing up in the fuel filter.

Help me not be a bigger moron, what to do? Do I need to pull the carb and clean it (I'd probably screw it up), how much residual fuel stays in there? It's a Trollhole. Or can she just burn through the year-old fuel with some seafoam help?

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Pour fresh fuel in it and some seafoam.

Let er rip.


Have a fresh fuel filter ready to swap after some fresh fuel cleans out the gunk

 

[scoutingranch]

Mr. Schrute, it's parked outside, what could possible go wrong? Rust in the fuel filter...hmmm. Pulling the tank on these is a snap. I have great respect for anyone that can refer to themselves as a moron. I do moronic things all the time.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Judging by your location and the potential for frozen hard fuel lines, you may have to thaw out water accumulated in the hard lines, running alongside the passenger side frame rail. Water and gunk is known to accumulate in those lines.

Good luck!! Especially removing all those bungees!!

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

I'm concerned about the bezel.

 

[Brizzman]

I'd drain it. If it's that easy to drop, then drop it and clean out the rust, too. Then I'd put in fresh gas, seafoam, and Berryman's B-12 Chemtool. That is a recipe I've used a lot on motorcycles that sat too long. I've used it on a few cars and my FJ as well, but never on a FJ carb (Edelbrock on a SBC in mine). I don't see how an FJ40 carb would be much different though. The gas in the carb will have dried up and may have gummed it up, but usually not enough to keep it from starting. Once it's running, the Seafoam and B-12 usually do the trick in a tank or 2.

I'd be a bit concerned about why it started running rough in the first place though. Maybe a basic tune up or at least a checkup is in order first.

 

[Max.Powerzz]

Thanks for the tips, I'll report back if my moron meter has increased or decreased

 

[45Kevin]

I don't know. These things will run on grapefruit juice. Anything with an octane rating above zero.

For the last 20 years I have consistently had the same fuel in my tank for months, 6 or more , at a time.

Pour a can of Seafoam in the tank, and change your fuel filter, good to go.

 

[Bluzer]

I have an auxiliary fuel tank that I use for cases like this (like a boat motor fuel tank; with a primer bulb is a plus). I run a hose from the from that into the fuel pump - and use fresh filters. My experience is the fuel pump is at risk more than the carb. I don't like like to use the tank until it's cleaned out properly; dropped and flushed. But after it's running you can get it out from under all that white stuff and inside to do the rest of the work on it - like blowing out the fuel lines.
But I also know plenty who use the methods described above with good success.
Good luck!

 

[Blue77FJ40]

Morons unite. Read my posts re resurrection in "what have you done..." thread. I spent gobs of time draining the glop, clearing lines and replacing some, removing tank, cleaning tank, removing rust w/evaporust, then using POR Metal prep, and POR tank sealer. Only to find out that I didn't use enough tank sealer. I only added a pint, and shoulda used 2 pints. I wasn't aware of the coverage specs of a pint. Got top, all sides (except damn baffles that are hard to coat) and part of the bottom fully coated on tank. But at least gas will cover the bottom, so mostly all good.

Just waiting till it warms up a bit to put it all together again. Like you, I have no garage.

Props to Bluzer, I will be getting a spare fuel pump to keep handy.