A couple of decades ago when I was in high school, I had an old beater Chevy Cavalier. The starter died on it and my dad thought it important I change it myself (something I definitely agree with now.)

Except he saved a few bucks by buying a rebuilt one figuring it was fine as they had a lifetime warranty on them. We learned after I put in the 5th one why that warranty was so critical.

Point is: I never actually trusted that car to start. So I always parked on a hill and when I couldn’t, I left the engine running. So I probably filled that tank for two solid years with the engine running. There were occasionally signs but really, no one ever said a word to me. And I miraculously lived to tell the tale.

(Once we put in an OEM starter I never had a problem again.)