Forgot to put Stabilizer in gas/oil mixture 4 months ago.

[chrisross]

I forgot to put a stabilizer in my 30 gallon tank 4 months ago. Will this pose a problem? I want to run it in a couple weeks (in San Diego) should I put stabilizer in now? Will that help?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Chris

 

[hankua]

Re: Forgot to put Stabilizer in gas/oil mixture 4 months ago.

Been there; four months should be no problem. Go to the boating store and get start-rite or some other fuel freshener.<br /><br />Bleed off the fuel in the lines if possible; outboards are easy to do. A water separating<br />filter with a clear sight glass also helps alot. <br /><br />I've had fuel in my tank much longer than you and have had similar problems.<br /><br />Hope that helps!<br /><br />Hank

 

[Matt King]

Re: Forgot to put Stabilizer in gas/oil mixture 4 months ago.

If it starts up and runs good you should be in good shape. If it does not i would sugest cleaning the injectors or carberators. The gas tends to carmelize in small openings.<br /><br />good luck<br />Matt

 

[JEllwanger]

Re: Forgot to put Stabilizer in gas/oil mixture 4 months ago.

Will standard auto carb additive work with the oil/gas mixture in the outboard?

 

[wb6csh7]

Re: Forgot to put Stabilizer in gas/oil mixture 4 months ago.

What temperature the gas/oil mixture has been stored at will determine whether serious degradation of the gasoline has occurred. If the fuel storage temperature was less than approx. 68 deg F., then there will be very little problem with the gas degrading. So, if the mixture was stored outdoors in the temperatures produced by sunlight, you may have some problems, again depending upon the temps. the fuel actually reaches. Example. Outside storage under a tarp. with no ventilation in So. Calif. will get the fuel "quite hot" - maybe as high as 95 deg. F (35 deg. C.). On the other side of the coin, outside storage in the shade of a well-ventilated tarp in Seattle, WA., may produce fuel temps. of only 59 deg. F. (15 deg. C.), which would produce only mild degradation in four months. My experience with fuel that is 90 days old, is that it is "just noticeable" when trying to start the engine (four-stroke); after six months, however, it becomes more obvious that the gasoline is "old". These were cool temps. of 15-20 degrees C. The rate of chemical reaction doubles for every 10 degrees Celcius (18 deg. F.) rise. I know this is a late post to your Jan. inquiry, but the info may be useful to others.

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