Old fuel

[Joker757]

How can I tell if the fuel in my tank is bad and shouldn't be used? What should I look for? The gas is about 3 years old (about 25gals). I've treated it with Seafoam. Thanks.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Old fuel

don't use 3 year old gas.
The gas that's from "last year" may or may not be OK, but 3 years is too risky even if treated.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Old fuel

Is seafoam used for treating gas? Did you do this before it was stored?.... if not, I wouldn't chance it. How much is in there? If its only a couple gallons, you could completely fill the tank with new gas and it should be fine.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Old fuel

Better not run that 3 year old gas, just drain it out and refill with fresh fuel plus stabilizer like Stabil or Seafoam. I know gas has gotten expensive but it's nothing compared to screwing up your motor with old gas. Maybe install a fuel/water separating type filter to remove water/debris/whatever in your tank/fuel system, save yourself a lot of fuel related problems. Good Luck!

 

[Joker757]

Re: Old fuel

there's about 25gals of fuel. I put the Seafoam in before the boat was stored and a few times in between. I have a fuel/water seperator insalled. The engine isn't back in the boat yet. Can I use the gas for my lawn equipment?

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Old fuel

there's about 25gals of fuel. I put the Seafoam in before the boat was stored and a few times in between. I have a fuel/water seperator insalled. The engine isn't back in the boat yet. Can I use the gas for my lawn equipment?

Probably. Give it a shot and see. If it's bad the lawnmower won't like it either.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Old fuel

You've got less than $100 worth of old, questionable gas there, it's not worth screwing with. A new law mower can cost you $100. Siphon the old gas out in 5 gallon cans and dispose of it properly or pour it on fire ant hills and yellow jacket nests!

 

[Eyeman]

Re: Old fuel

there's about 25gals of fuel. I put the Seafoam in before the boat was stored and a few times in between. I have a fuel/water seperator insalled. The engine isn't back in the boat yet. Can I use the gas for my lawn equipment?

First, I'm not an expert, but I have had way to many experiences with bad gas. IF the gas has the notorious ethanol in it? Pitch it now, as it's probably phased/separated. If it is high test(premium), non-ethanol, you may be ok. I'd smell it to make sure it hasn't turned into varnish, then I'd use the engine fuel line (which picks up fuel from the bottom of the tank) and put maybe 6 - 8 oz. of gas in a glass jar. It should be perfectly clear, water will separate and be easily recognized. So, if it is premium, non-ethanol, smells good and is clear, it sounds like you've treated it well and it should be okay.

 

[Joker757]

Re: Old fuel

I'll just pump it and be done. The peace of mind is worth the $100 to me. Are there companies I can take the boat to to have it pumped?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Old fuel

last week I had some tuna salad that got left out on the counter for a couple days before being put in the fridge..... how can I tell if I should eat it? If it's too bad for me to eat would it be ok to feed it to my kid instead?

DUH it's bad throw it out.

same applies to 2,3,or 20 year old gas.

 

[Joker757]

Re: Old fuel

last week I had some tuna salad that got left out on the counter for a couple days before being put in the fridge..... how can I tell if I should eat it? If it's to bad for me to eat would it be ok to feed it to my kid instead?

DUH it's bad throw it out.

same applies to 2,3,or 20 year old gas.

thanks for the constructive critisism smoke. I don't agree though. What's considered bad gas for a 4 stroke isn't necessarily detrimental to a 2 stroke if mixed with good gas and oil.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Old fuel

in a 4 stroke it gums up the carb, sticks valves fouls plugs and can even cause rings to stick.

2 strokes usually don't have valves (not exposed to combustion temps any way) although some high performance 2 strokes have power valves that can be affected but they do ohave plugs rings and carbs....

It just isn't worth the risk. If you choose to do it any way and you are one of the lucky ones then you are just that.... lucky... success here is like winning at russian roulette..... doesn't make it a good idea.

 

[Joker757]

Re: Old fuel

My plan was to pump it out however was wondering could I use it for my weedwhacker's, etc if I mixed 1:4 with clean fuel and oil. Would still need to discard most of it as it would take me over a year to go through that much fuel for my lawn equipment. Heck 5gals lasts me about 2 months.

 

[N3UP]

Re: Old fuel

I have a similar situation with my new to me boat.

There's about 20 gal of 2yr old gas in the Port tank.
I did find out that it was treated when the boat was laid up.

It's a 40 gallon tank, so I was planning to hit it with some startron and fill it up with premimum gas.
If I decide to pump it out, where do I get rid of it?
20 gallons would last me 2 or 3 years in the mower, weedwhacker, snow blower.

If I can't run it in the outboard, I'm not gonna put it in my truck either.
My outboard is a 2 stroke (oil injected). 96 Mariner 225 Carb 3.0L
I'm in SE Pa.....what do I do with it?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Old fuel

in the country we burn it on bonfires... in town call junkyards, marinas, and car dealers... they can often tell you where to take it

 

[Joker757]

Re: Old fuel

I have a similar situation with my new to me boat.

There's about 20 gal of 2yr old gas in the Port tank.
I did find out that it was treated when the boat was laid up.

It's a 40 gallon tank, so I was planning to hit it with some startron and fill it up with premimum gas.
If I decide to pump it out, where do I get rid of it?
20 gallons would last me 2 or 3 years in the mower, weedwhacker, snow blower.

If I can't run it in the outboard, I'm not gonna put it in my truck either.
My outboard is a 2 stroke (oil injected). 96 Mariner 225 Carb 3.0L
I'm in SE Pa.....what do I do with it?

The trash dump here has a section for hazardous waste. You can drop of paint, oil, batteries, etc. I'm gonaa pump mine out and take all but 10gals there. The other ten I will mix with good fuel for my lawn equipment.

 

[Joker757]

Re: Old fuel

BTW. My tank is a 100 gallon tank. Is it possible to fill it up with fresh gas (75gal) with the two year old 25 gallons?

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Old fuel

ya just go with new gas and use the old gas for your lawn equipment or even if you have a lot give it to some neighbored of yours. my niebohor had 80 gallons of 3 year old gas and he was draining it from his boat tank so i got some for free for the lawn mower and weed wacker and ran fine all summer. he sill has 40 left he put a ton of stuff it it for this year cutting grass. he put it in his old jeep too and it ran good but was idling at 2500 rpms

 

[wifisher]

Re: Old fuel

BTW. My tank is a 100 gallon tank. Is it possible to fill it up with fresh gas (75gal) with the two year old 25 gallons?

It may work. Try it and let us know.
BTW it also may not work. Now you have 100 gallons to dispose of.
Up to you. But I would really like to hear weather it works or not!!!!

 

[wifisher]

Re: Old fuel

Why is it that everybody here seems to think that lawn equipment will run on the same gas that will cause thousands of dollars of damage to a boat? I thought that they are both IC engines that require the same fuel. Am I wrong on this? If it is good enough to run a lawn mower can't it run a boat?