BobDeSoto Posted August 13, 2023 Report Share Posted August 13, 2023 Tell me more about draining the gas tank. I've owned a 1951 DeSoto Custom for 35 years. It always runs, shifts, etc. and has 65,000 original miles. I wasn't aware that the gas tank has a drain and I'm not sure the tank needs to be drained. The car is stored in an unheated shed with a concrete floor in Wisconsin. I have always had 87 octane with no ethanol available. Car has no rust on the body and only a little corrosion underneath. Seems I should keep doing what I've been doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan_B Posted August 13, 2023 Report Share Posted August 13, 2023 Well, what's the reason you are thinking about potentially draining the tank? To clean it up? Could be a good idea if it's never been done before. I would start by removing the fuel gauge sending unit and looking inside the tank with a flashlight to see how it looks on the inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobDeSoto Posted August 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2023 I didn't mention that the gas gauge works fine. So, probably best to leave it all alone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan_B Posted August 14, 2023 Report Share Posted August 14, 2023 Okay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soth122003 Posted August 14, 2023 Report Share Posted August 14, 2023 Have you stored the car with the tank empty, full, part way? Condensation builds up slowly over time. May have some water in the tank. That is one of the reasons they put the plug in the tank, to drain out water and crud that will settle at the bottom. Had a 66 vette that loved to attract water in the tank. Used to drain out about a quart or two every year. Joe Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan_B Posted August 14, 2023 Report Share Posted August 14, 2023 (edited) 14 minutes ago, soth122003 said: Had a 66 vette that loved to attract water in the tank. Used to drain out about a quart or two every year. That seems extreme. How did you accumulate so much condensation? Did you store the car outside, exposed to significant temperature changes, or something like that? I suppose it settled right below the fuel intake so that you've never seen it get anywhere up the line? I've seen water in the in-line drain cup collector filters, but just a little Edited August 14, 2023 by Ivan_B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobDeSoto Posted August 14, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2023 Tank is usually about 1/2 full - no ethanol gas and Sta Bil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Buchanan Posted August 14, 2023 Report Share Posted August 14, 2023 17 hours ago, BobDeSoto said: Tell me more about draining the gas tank. I've owned a 1951 DeSoto Custom for 35 years. It always runs, shifts, etc. and has 65,000 original miles. I wasn't aware that the gas tank has a drain and I'm not sure the tank needs to be drained. The car is stored in an unheated shed with a concrete floor in Wisconsin. I have always had 87 octane with no ethanol available. Car has no rust on the body and only a little corrosion underneath. Seems I should keep doing what I've been doing. Let sleeping dogs lie........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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