3year old gas

[bluecollerboater]

I just bought a new to me boat. The previous owner told me he had it winterized at a local shop. It has 75 gallons of fuel in it(full tank). Is there any way to save the fuel or should I just get rid of it. The shop he had winterize it has a good reputation but I have no way of knowing if it was stabilized or not. The boat has been sitting shrink wrapped in his yard for two and a half years. I just don't want to waste 75 gallons of gas if I don't have to. Thanks.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: 3year old gas

if it runs on that gas, it will perform poorly and stink, I say IF it runs

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: 3year old gas

I wouldn't use it, but that's just me...... You're not out anything(unless that was figured into the purchase price)...... You just wont have a free tank of gas. So you didn't run it before you bought it?

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: 3year old gas

I just bought a new to me boat. The previous owner told me he had it winterized at a local shop. It has 75 gallons of fuel in it(full tank). Is there any way to save the fuel or should I just get rid of it. The shop he had winterize it has a good reputation but I have no way of knowing if it was stabilized or not. The boat has been sitting shrink wrapped in his yard for two and a half years. I just don't want to waste 75 gallons of gas if I don't have to. Thanks.

Pump out a few gallons and take a look at the fuel. Is it still clear and smelling like gasoline? OR is it darkened and smelling like paint thinner? After 3 years it's very likely gone bad, even if it was stabilized.

But, you've now got 75 gallons of gas for your lawnmower and yard machines. Also, could add it 5 gallons at a time to your truck when you fill it up.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3year old gas

Pump out a few gallons and take a look at the fuel. Is it still clear and smelling like gasoline? OR is it darkened and smelling like paint thinner? After 3 years it's very likely gone bad, even if it was stabilized.

But, you've now got 75 gallons of gas for your lawnmower and yard machines. Also, could add it 5 gallons at a time to your truck when you fill it up.

Ayuh,.... I agree, pull a sample, 'n Smell it...

If it still Smells like gasoline, Run it...

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: 3year old gas

I've never had issues with old gas. I'll gladly take 3 year old gas off anyone's hands.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 3year old gas

you're in a high humidity areas with temperature fluctuations; I wouldn't use it nor would I buy 15 jerry cans to store it in.

but it may be worthwhile to look into a fuel cleaning company, especially if you can trailer your boat to their place.

 

[littlerayray]

Re: 3year old gas

fuel stabilizer will only keep your gas for an extra six months i would pull it all out and chances are you might need to do a carb cleaning and rebuild

 

[gm280]

Re: 3year old gas

Like some other suggest, take a small amount out and smell it and check it first. IF it does still smell like gasoline, I'd run it myself. I mean exactly where would you dispose of 75 gallons of gas anyway? The fact that the tank was full is a factor in your favor as well. Partial tanks of gas will turn bad faster than full tanks. I guess it has something to do with the air/humidity... But you are talking about 4 dollars a gallon gas that maybe bad...? I'd make very sure it was bad before giving up on that amount... JMHO!

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: 3year old gas

You don't need to pull any out...just take a shop vac and use it to blow into the filler and smell the vent. If it smells like paint thinner(which I doubt being full AND covered)it's bad. If it smells like gas, run it.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: 3year old gas

Gas hardly last 1yr treated in airtight container and a boat has full size vent overflow line with no restrictions to atmosphere , charcoal filter , positive pressure check vent . I would save and mix with oilfrom changes so not as explosive if somewhat still good and use for burning duties .

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: 3year old gas

Gas hardly last 1yr treated in airtight container

I ran two year old fuel in my 9.8 Merc last year no problems...no treatment.
I didn't want to push it, so I ran it in my snowblower this winter...started @-5 no problems.

As long as it isn't varnished and lost it's volitility it'll run.

A case by case basis. Since there still isn't "smell-o-vision" no one here can give you an ablsolute.

 

[loose rivet]

Re: 3year old gas

The fuel is probably OK but I wouldn't personally chance it in a boat. I'd pump it out and burn it off in something less likely to cost you big bucks if it has problems. Use it to cut your grass or burn it off a little at time in your truck and put fresh gas in the boat.

I've got two old heating oil tanks outback where I dump all the gas I get from old boats, basically if it smells ok, it goes into the main tank, and gets run in the trucks or farm tractor, if it smells suspect or has a lot of oil, it goes in the second tank, that fuel gets used as mower fuel or parts cleaner. Most push mowers and small tractors will run on darn near anything.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: 3year old gas

Since most don't have storage tanks all of this talk of simply draining and storing 75 gallons of gas is unreasonable(unless you just happen to have $150 worth of 5gal jugs laying around). If it passes the smell test, run it...if it causes any issues(and you'll know soon after you start/throttle up) THEN worry about draining and disposing/using it.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 3year old gas

What it really comes down to is: What is the year and type of engine? That Chrysler in my avatar can burn kerosene and paint thinner and still be happy! Older two cycle carbureted engines will burn almost anything with no trouble. Newer engines and four cycle engines are more fussy. Fuel injected engines --don't chance it.

 

[JimS123]

Re: 3year old gas

After 3 years it's very likely gone bad, even if it was stabilized.

But, you've now got 75 gallons of gas for your lawnmower and yard machines. Also, could add it 5 gallons at a time to your truck when you fill it up.

So many people say that. But is it from personal experience, or simply "what they have heard"?

I ran 3 year old stabilized gas in an I/O and it ran fine - so well that you couldn't tell the difference. (my buddies boat that I service for him - silly him he got a divorce and the old lady held him up for a coupla years....LOL)

OTOH, at my cabin I only cut the grass a few times a year, so the gas in the lawnmower is ALWAYS old (stabilized though). Anyway, my lawn mower runs like crap on 2 year old gas, so now I just buy smaller quantities and dump it at the end of the year.

So what's the deal about lawn equipment? Is the "it'll run OK" a myth?

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: 3year old gas

fuel stabilizer will only keep your gas for an extra six months i would pull it all out and chances are you might need to do a carb cleaning and rebuild

It depends on several things, gas will be just fine if its in a sealed tank and stabilized for up to 20 years if it isn't in a sealed tank but stabilized it can last 5 years, if it isn't then a few mouths.

So pulling a sample and looking at is the first step.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: 3year old gas

OP, Unless you have a specific reason to think there is something wrong with the fuel, Assume it is fine!

I have been trying garage experiments with fuel for about a year and a half.
When I feel confident in my conclusions, and can PROVE them, I'll post some videos.

In the mean time, here is a test that seem to be valid so far.
Find yourself two clear jars. Mason jars and Pickle/Mayo jars are great.
Fill one jar half full of your reference sample of gas fresh from the pump.
Fill the other jar half full of a sample from the Bottom of your fuel tank.
Secure both jar lids and shake both jars vigorously.

1. Note that the fresh gas is a clear yellow, If the old gas is Milky Yellow you have some water in it.
It it is clear, proceed to step 2.
If it is milky Yellow, add some fresh gas to the sample a few ounces at a time.
Contrary to popular belief, Phase Separated Water/Alcohol will recombine without issues;
Once it is clear you will know how much fresh gas to add to the tank to clear it up.

2. Note that when shaken vigorously,
The fresh gas will form a "Head" of bubbles for 2-3 second before they are COMPLETELY gone.
If your sample fuel is within a second of being the same, it is fine.
If the sample's "Head" Hangs in there for over ten seconds. It is Not so Fresh.
Dilute it 2:1 with fresh gas and test again. The decision to use is yours.

If the gas is an OB Oil mix. Prepare you reference sample with Oil to match.

Gas plus Oil holds the "Head" a few seconds longer.

I left a small tank of gas in the shed for 6 months with the lid off.
Half of it evaporated and is now my "BAD GAS" reference.
It will still operate a 10 hp lawn tractor.
My reference "BAD GAS" Sample holds a head for over 30 seconds.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: 3year old gas

2. Note that when shaken vigorously,
The fresh gas will form a "Head" of bubbles for 2-3 second before they are COMPLETELY gone.
If your sample fuel is within a second of being the same, it is fine.
If the sample's "Head" Hangs in there for over ten seconds. It is Not so Fresh.
Dilute it 2:1 with fresh gas and test again. The decision to use is yours.

Sounds like the same test when proofing "Moonshine"...
You sure it was gas? :laugh:

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: 3year old gas

Sounds like the same test when proofing "Moonshine"...
You sure it was gas? :laugh:

If you thinks about it, it just about the same thing!

The more of the lighter solvents to the heavier solvents, the lighter the "Head"
The Moonshine evaporates off the Alcohol and the Gasoline looses its Butane/Hexane.
The Shine turns to water, and the gas turn into kerosene.

The principal is the same.

Try it! Let's see what your results show!