Starting W124 after 5 years. Replacing the old petrol?

[Me22]

Before attempting to start W124 after leaving it in the garage for more than 5 years. I believe I should throw away the old petrol and put New 5 litres in.
I am not an expert mechanic. So, taking the petrol tank and cleaning it is not an option. I can think of 2 options.
Option 1: Siphon the old petrol out. This will leave some in the tank and pipes.
Option 2: Disconnect the pipe going to the fuel filter. This may be a better option, but:
1. Will it take the petrol out?
2. I can change the fuel filter.
3. Will it introduce air into the system and make the first start more difficult?
It will be great to know your thoughts.

 

[Uncle Benz]

How much is in the tank? Does it smell stale?

 

[Me22]

How much is in the tank? Does it smell stale?

Less than quarter of a tank. Removed the oil cap and smelled. Not sure, probably stale.

 

[Uncle Benz]

I’d be inclined to stick 20l of fresh in the top and fit a new filter I think. Probably save a mess on your garage floor

 

[Me22]

I’d be inclined to stick 20l of fresh in the top and fit a new filter I think. Probably save a mess on your garage floor

Thank you for the reply. Fitting a new petrol filter will introduce air into the system. Will the air find its way out through the petrol tank or will it make the first start a bit more difficult?

 

[Uncle Benz]

The first start will take a few seconds until the pump pushes the fuel through. It’s not uncommon for pumps to seize up through long periods of standing, but worth a try.

 

[mioba]

Less than quarter of a tank. Removed the oil cap and smelled. Not sure, probably stale.

Did you remove the oil cap to smell the petrol......

 

[Me22]

Did you remove the oil cap to smell the petrol......

Sorry, I meant the cap of the petrol tank..

 

[mioba]

I would siphon out the tank. Then Remove the line to filter and remove the last dregs, then replace the filter and reassmble. Add fresh fuel and see how you go.
Hows the battery on the car.

 

[Me22]

I would siphon out the tank. Then Remove the line to filter and remove the last dregs, then replace the filter and reassmble. Add fresh fuel and see how you go.
Hows the battery on the car.

Battery is good. Thanks to CTEK conditioner.

 

[Botus]

if you live down south esso super unleaded 99 contains NO ethanol garbage

we are just switching over from 5% filth to 10% filth on std unleaded - u don't want either near your car....

ethanol rots old rubber hoses and seal, eats metal and absorbs water so everything gets destroyed

if you threw 15 litres of super unleaded in and get it mixed in, it'll probably run just as good as it ever did with the old stuff its got

Check if your vehicle can run on E10 petrol

Check if you can use E10 petrol in your car, motorcycle or moped - what information you need to check, what to do if you’re not sure

www.gov.uk

Mercedes-Benz​

E10 petrol is cleared for use in the vast majority of all Mercedes Benz vehicles with petrol engines, except:

• First generation direct injection C200 CGI (W203), CLK 200 CGI series (C209) of the years 2002 – 2005;
• Models not equipped with three-way catalysts, models retrofitted with three-way catalysts or produced with a carburettor. These are mainly vehicles older than 25 years.

Ford​

E10 is cleared for use in all petrol driven Ford models sold in Europe since 1992 excluding:

• Ford Mondeo 1.8 SCI from 2003 to 2007.

Personal imports not approved by Ford of Europe are not included in the above statement.

 

[Me22]

if you live down south esso super unleaded 99 contains NO ethanol garbage

we are just switching over from 5% filth to 10% filth on std unleaded - u don't want either near your car....

ethanol rots old rubber hoses and seal, eats metal and absorbs water so everything gets destroyed

if you threw 15 litres of super unleaded in and get it mixed in, it'll probably run just as good as it ever did with the old stuff its got

Check if your vehicle can run on E10 petrol

Check if you can use E10 petrol in your car, motorcycle or moped - what information you need to check, what to do if you’re not sure

www.gov.uk

Mercedes-Benz​

E10 petrol is cleared for use in the vast majority of all Mercedes Benz vehicles with petrol engines, except:

• First generation direct injection C200 CGI (W203), CLK 200 CGI series (C209) of the years 2002 – 2005;
• Models not equipped with three-way catalysts, models retrofitted with three-way catalysts or produced with a carburettor. These are mainly vehicles older than 25 years.

Ford​

E10 is cleared for use in all petrol driven Ford models sold in Europe since 1992 excluding:

• Ford Mondeo 1.8 SCI from 2003 to 2007.

Personal imports not approved by Ford of Europe are not included in the above statement.

Thank you for the suggestion. The car is old. So, E10 will not be suitable. Good to know about esso super unleaded 99. I didn't know we can mix the premium and super.