Hello everyone, looking for some advice. I have a 2002 Camaro SS that's been sitting in my garage for 3 years now. I would start it at least once a month and let it run (I know, bad move to not do it more often and ride it around a bit, but life gets in the way of fun sometimes). When I would start it and rev it, a ton of black junk would come out of the tail pipes. It was spitting out what looked like graphite.

Anyway, the last time I went to run it, it started on the first try (as always) ran for about 2 minutes and then died. I haven't been able to get it restarted. I checked all the fuses and changed the fuel filter. I'm sure it related to the gas as it's been in the tank for the full 3 years (I know, I know another bad move on my part).

Any suggestions for my next steps in testing, diagnosing where the issue lies? I know you can't syphon the gas out of the tank through the neck, any safe suggestions on another way of doing that- if that's the first and easiest step to take, you know, "keep it simple stupid".

Thanks in advance for the help. I really want to get this car started, cleaned up and back on the road so I can keep the mileage low on my new 2017 Camaro SS 50th Anniversary Edition !

 

To drain the tank, open the fuel rail and let the pump purge with key on.
If fuel level is low enough just go ahead and drop the tank.

Drop the tank because you should inspect internal parts for corrosion and gunk. Go ahead and plan on replacing the pre-filter sock at a minimum and flush the tank with clean gas. You'll go through a couple more fuel filters while it works its way through.

I did all that through the typical "fuel pump access panel" cut in the rear deck. It was easy until the point of attaching AN fuel lines to the top hat. Some emissions pieces did not survive the process LOL

 

"I'm sure it related to the gas as it's been in the tank for the full 3 years (I know, I know another bad move on my part)."
When you are cleaning it up, remember, you have pumped all that nasty **** into your injs, too.

 

Need to empty that tank out. I'd pull the line at the fuel filter and pump out the rest of it to a jug. Then pour in a gallon and pump that out. If the flow when draining it isn't very solid, I'd replace the pump. However you probably need to change the sock and it's not that much money to put a pump and sock in it. Replace the fuel filter and add some good gas. Your injectors should be fine unless the filter ripped and let particles over 10 micron through. The only part you will need to clean out of them is the varnish, so maybe to 5 gallons of gas and bottle of Techron or other cleaner.