wet petrol?

[MattInARedMicra]

Hello, back again after a long hiatus

I haven't been driving regularly for some time. The last time I drove my Micra in December I noticed the fuel gauge was inaccurate. The car was driven, then parked warm, when I came back to it 2 hours later it showed I had more fuel than I had previously.

It's parked outdoors not under any shelter. I've not driven it since December and I don't remember when I last bought fuel, so what has been in there has been sitting for a while, and I'm not sure how much is in there because the gauge is lying. I sniffed it, it still smells like petrol

What are the chances that when I start it next week the fuel is either wet with water contamination or gunked/gelled up? I'm thinking if I drive it to a petrol station and fill it full, and then drive around for a while and fill it again it may dilute it enough with good fuel that I don't have any issues with blockages? Is this a good idea, is there a better way of doing it?

(There's no battery issues, I thought ahead to sort that out, but neglected everything else)

 

[fuzzy-hair-man]

I'd just try it and see, any gunk would've settled to the bottom of the tank and I'd suggest you are less likely to pick it up there.
I had a patch of bad fuel once and even after draining the tank it still had problems, hesitation and coughing etc, what eventually sorted it was putting a bottle of methylated spirits in the tank, I was dubious at the time but read the bottle and it recommended it for that, the effect was almost instant and no issue since. Although I don't have that car anymore...
Any gunk would end up in your fuel filter anyway which is easy enough to change.

 

[Dr Phil]

Could just be the fuel gauge, mine isn't that accurate.

Also worth checking the fuel filler pipe. Mud / leaves etc. etc. tends to get stuck up underneath and behind it so they do often corrode and leave holes for **** to get into the tank.