Hey I bought a 1996 jeep cherokee 4.0 169k in the end of July it needed some work, so been working on it when i could but its been sitting with only a start up every now and then to see if i fixed it properly. its not January in upstate new york gets cold during winter. I think last time i was working on it i saw the windshield washer fluid was frozen, there wasn't much in there anyways. Also there is about a quarter tank of gas in the jeep. I had to fix the tranny fluid lines leaking so theres new tranny fluid and fixed a few minor things brakes rust,holes etc. My main concern here is the gas collecting water. Its upstate new york, one day its 0 degrees and the next day its 40 sunny. I'm planning on replacing the rusty fuel filter anyways should I just drain all the gas out of it to be safe? or just let it burn it then replace the filter.

 

Drain all of the gas out. Pouring new gas on old rotten gas will only ruin the fresh stuff. Once gas turns there is no reviving it.

 

I'm in ct man same climate lol. Yeah idk there is a chance for condensation but if it was me I would dump a few gallons on premium in it and let her rip. But if you want to be safe you can drain the tank out and use that gas for a bonfire and replace the fuel filter while you are at it

 

You would be able to smell the gas but I doubt it went "bad", I just got a free '88 cherokee that fired on the gas that was siting in a garage with for 7 years. Wasn't bad at all. (I am draining tank tomorrow though)

 

Today's fuel has up to 10% alcohol in it and the gas will separate and break down in as little as three months.