Old Gas

[DI]

Hi Fellows. I have an older 21' Seacraft CC with about 100 gallons of regular gasoline in the tank (it's topped off) that has been in the tank for about 1-1/2 years. The boat is powered by a '98 150HP Suzuki O/B that has barely 50 hours on it to date. I'm about to start a lengthy project working on the boat transom, console, wiring, fuel hoses, steering, etc, in order to restore the boat and improve its reliability and usefulness. My first question is whether I should dispose of the old fuel or is there an additive (octane comes to mind) that will restore the life and usefulness to the old fuel. The fuel will still fire the motor but I've heard that gasoline breaks down with age and can/will cause damage to the engine if used. In hindsight, I should have added a fuel stabilizer but I kept telling myself that I was going to get to the work and use the fuel before it ever got this old... Anyway, that didn't happen and I'm wondering if there is any reasonable way to salvage the gasoline or is it best to dispose of the old fuel and start anew? Thanks,<br />DI

 

[norman158]

Re: Old Gas

dont use it drain the tank and dispose of it there is no kind of adative that will restore 1 1/2 year old fuel

 

[DJ]

Re: Old Gas

DON'T USE IT!!!<br /><br />My experience with Suzi's is that they are very particular about fuel quality.

 

[suzukidave]

Re: Old Gas

Don't put it through your outboard but it seems a shame to ditch 100 gallons of gas. If not premixed, you can try to sell or gift it to someone who runs an old vehicle with an undemanding carb system. I know from experience that both an old VW Van and an older F150 will run fine with way older gas than that. If premixed, maybe stick to VW owners since no one would notice the extra smoke!

 

[singerjr]

Re: Old Gas

Give it or try to sell it to a farmer (real cheap)<br />I farm a small piece of land and will put just about any gas in my tractor.<br /><br />I use my old boat fuel in the tractor and generator, Big jets in carb and forgiving engine in them old tractors

 

[DJ]

Re: Old Gas

Great idea on the tractor! There has to be someone there operating a Ford 8N or Jubilee.<br /><br />Also works OK in Briggs and Tecumseh's. Find a landscaper with a bunch of those!<br /><br />You'll make their day.

 

[Rock Man]

Re: Old Gas

I use old mixed gas in my 1979 F-250 Half tank reg and Half mix... never smokes runs good. <br /><br />Octane boast have alcohol in them and that can have a deteriorating effect on certain fuel system parts. SEALS CAN SWELL, PUMP CHECK VALVES CAN SWELL, DIAPHRAGMS DISTORT, AND OTHER RUBBER OR NEOPRENE COMPOSITION PARTS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM CAN BE AFFECTED.

 

[wippb]

Re: Old Gas

Hey guys<br />I got a lesson last night in the usage of old gas. We had a storm here yesterday and when I got the snowblower out to get rid of the stuff, IT WOULDN'T START. I tried for about 2 hours, even taking the carb off and cleaned out the little brute. Thinking about this post I read only yesterday, I finally drained out the old gas and replaced it with new. It fired up on the first pull.<br /><br />This of course all took place AFTER I had given up and had gone out to remove that stuff the old fashioned way. After the last shovel full, another storm looming, and my aching back I decided that that little machine wasn't going to beat me.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Old Gas

On the subject of old gas - I've noticed that the manuals that came with various 2-stroke engines that I've picked up over the years (chainsaws,hedge-trimmer,line trimer) all say gas/petrol should only be kept for a maximum of 3 months.<br /><br />Thankfully I've found that these motors will still run OK after being left for up to 12 months with gas in them (no - the boat motor never has to wait that long!). Possibly I've been very lucky with these.<br /><br />I'd be interested to know if anyone has problems on gas less than or around 12 months old. <br /><br />Is 3 months a realistic guide when it comes to old gas (or are the engine makers being extra conservative)? <br /><br />Can additives make any real difference to how long gas will last (looking for experts not salesmen on this one)?

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Old Gas

Yo wipper:<br /><br />Is it possible you had summer blend in the blower. Up here in canada, we have different blends for winter versus summer. The summer blend has a higher kindling temperature and is hard to ignite in the winter cold. Gotta watch where the gas came from out of your gerry can.<br /><br />62_kiwi<br /><br />I'm no expert, but I use stablizer in my fuel incase it gets left for a few months in the hot of summer. Alot has to do with what temperature the fuel is stored at, and if the vent is left open. I've left fuel in gerry can's over the winter months with no ill affects, but our winter is fricken cold. I've never witnessed any jelling or souring. In warmer climates, I'd be leary (especially with vent left open) I've never seen any jell occur around here.(-38F all last week)<br /><br />good luck!

 

[wippb]

Re: Old Gas

Schem<br />The blower hadn't been run since last year and as Murphy would have it 2 days prior to the storm it was 10c here. No need to service the blower right. It was new gas last year when it was last used. I was telling my brother about the problem I was having and before I finished he blurted out "bad gas, I had the same problem with mine, even with stabilizer". <br />P.S. , My chainsaw wouldn't start today either. It had new gas so and I tried some of that new WD40 that we got. Fired right up. <br />HE HE HE

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Old Gas

Hmmmmmm, don't forget, your blower was stored all summer, open vented.....not good. I'd drain her and use the fuel to start the fire pitt!!<br /><br />treasure your WD!!

 

[Grizzly]

Re: Old Gas

It really goes against my grain to throw out 5+ gallons of 89 octane with Quicksilver as I did recently, only to replace it with 3 gallons that will likely see the same fate. I found a new gadjet, sold in Walmart/kmart that I thought was a great idea. It looks like a giant hypodermic syringe that is graduated for oil to mix at 16,25,32,40,50, and 100 to 1 PER QUART! 4X per gal. Thought that was worth passing on. -G.

 

[wippb]

Re: Old Gas

Schem<br />I drained and replaced already. Fire pit sounds like a good idea. Did you check out the good newsClick Me. Maybe we can set up an underground train, shipping the good stuff to our friends south of the border.<br /><br />Griz <br />When you pull the cord till your fingers hurt and you say to yourself " the gas can't be the problem, it's running all over the floor" Then you replace the gas and it starts first pull.....I won't leave the old gas in it again. It'll be drained at the end of winter and used in the lawn mower in the spring.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Old Gas

Griz<br /><br />I'll have to check that out. Sounds convenient. Hard to be accurate with the litre bottle for small amounts.<br /><br />Wipper<br /><br />My comrads have run across cans that weren't flammable. That means we're getting US stock. Treasure our motherload while you can!!<br /><br />

 

[wippb]

Re: Old Gas

Maybe I should just go back and get some more

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Old Gas

Then end up leaving it somewhere you won't remember.......been there!!

 

[wippb]

Re: Old Gas

Already have a nice shelf in the garage that will be their new home.

 

[Grizzly]

Re: Old Gas

 

[DI]

Re: Old Gas

I appreciate all your help fellows and especially for the tip about selling the old fuel to someone who can use it in an old truck/tractor, etc. I didn't have a bit of trouble selling the gas at half the current pump price - much better than having to pay for disposal of hazmat! Problem solved. DI