Need to empty a tank of bad gas

[abqdanj]

I have a bad tank of gas in a 2006 Mini Cooper that needs to be emptied. Has anyone done this? I know I can't siphon the gas out of the filler neck due to the screen. I assume I need to remove the rear seat bottom and go through access panels to the tank and open up the fuel pick up or the filler neck connection. Is there anything I need to know? I don't have access to a Bentley manual.

Thanks!

[andyjt1990]

what you mean by a bad tank of gas?

[ratherbewindsurfing]

Drive it until the tank is empty

[abqdanj]

Quote: Originally Posted by andyjt1990 (original)

what you mean by a bad tank of gas?

The vehicle was stored for almost a year without treating the full tank of gas with a stabilization additive to prevent it from turning into gum and varnish. The engine will currently start, but runs very poorly. I'm afraid of damage the stale fuel might do to the fuel system.

[ratherbewindsurfing]

It'll be fine just drive it

[abqdanj]

Quote: Originally Posted by ratherbewindsurfing (original)

It'll be fine just drive it

Just driving it is a good idea, but I checked out the tank access panels under the rear seat. They were easy to remove. The two panels allow access to the internal fuel pump and fuel filter, both of which were obviously not intended for casual removal. I then buttoned everything up and checked under the car. The filler hose is rubber with a standard 'c' clamp attaching to a lip on the tank, so I easily removed that and was able to pump out about 7 gallons. There were probably about 3 gallons I couldn't get. Putting the hose back on was a different matter as it was a bit more difficult. It probably would have been easier if I had put the car on jack stands and removed the rear wheel. After filling it up and adding Techron full system cleaner, the car is back to its happy self and running smoothly.