Ancient Fuel Recipe for Big Problems

[rlb2252]

What?s the likelihood of old fuel causing problems when a boat's been sitting for two or more seasons?

Does untreated fuel have a finite ?quality? life expectancy?

Should one automatically discard the old fuel and start over fresh? Should one automatically add additives like Sta-bil or Sea Foam?

Should one simply cross one?s fingers and pray?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Ancient Fuel Recipe for Big Problems

Dump it and start fresh, and pray there wasn't enough in the fuel system to turn to varnish and gunk stuff up. Put some Sea Foam in the fresh gas you use.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Ancient Fuel Recipe for Big Problems

I've seen people fire up motors on gas that was older than what I'd thought would work. Just yesterday I watched a guy hook up muffs to his boat and fire it up on 3+ year old gas. I would have bet money it wouldn't have fired. But it did.

That said, if it were my boat, I'd have drained it and put in new stuff.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Ancient Fuel Recipe for Big Problems

Today's gas is not like it used to be. there are things in it that keep it in good order for a lot longer than it used to in years past.
How old do you think the gas is that come from the gas station?
I dont have any idea, but id bet its at least a year or more since it was refined before it gets to the tank.
I read some where we have gas for the whole country for 2 years stored. And i can guess that they dont cycle it through often.
Sta-bil does help tho.