Old Gas (what to do)

[wippel]

I bought a used boat that was stored all winter long. The fuel tank was full, but, I don't know how old the gas was, or if it had a stabilizer added. I hate to have to pump out and dump out 20 gallons of gas. Is there anything I can do, or should I just run it out?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

Smell it. If it smells like gas you're fine. You might want to top off with a little premium, since the main reason gas goes bad is because the octane goes down. You could also pump out about half the tank and refill with premium if you're worried. If it's only been one year with the gas, there will be no problem at all. I never use stabilizer in anything and never have any problems.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

Get some octane booster or you can always save it for the forth of July.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

Find out from the previous owner when it was last filled. Personally, trying to save 40 bucks isn't worth the risk of damaging the motor or plugging up the fuel system. Almost all manufacturers recommend using a fuel stabilizer for winter storage. [edit]

 

[wajajaja]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

Once you pump it out , then what, could try a sample in a lawnmower to see how it runs, or in the jalopy, theyre more forgiving maybe than a outboard?<br /> if it runs well run with it. <br />not from experience, just thinkin.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

Originally posted by quantumleap:<br />Oz- That's a pretty big promise! Are you going to help him pay for a power head if there's a bunch of condensation in the tank??

He should have a fuel filter/water seperator, so that wouldn't be a problem. If the gas has been in there only 1 year and he has a water seperator, yes, I would pay for a new powerhead if that gas hurts the old one - because it won't.

 

[stingerstang]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

take some out go and pour it on the ground away from every thing stand back throw a match if it lites fast it is probably good, if it seems like it lites up slow- bad gas... thats how we checked gas in the wrecking yards in the cars, or if you rather be safe than sorry just get new gas

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

Larger quanities of gas in a container will not go bad like a small amount in a mower or tractor will. If you want to be safe, drain it out and use it in your lawn equipment as mentioned earlier. Usually if it smells like gas it is pretty much okay. If you run some in a small engine and it stinks like a varnish, then it is bad stuff.<br /><br />I had bought a boat with a 100 gallon tank that was almost full of 10+ year old gas. Had a heck of a time getting rid of it. I gave some to a local volunteer fire department, and most to a local farmer to add to his bulk tank.<br /><br />If it was my boat/engine, I would add a fuel/water seperator and run it out. A small 99 cent can of octane booster added and it should be fine. In the north lots of people will park their good cars during the winter to keep them off the salted roads. Most of these never get any stabalizer in the gas and start right up and run without any problems.<br /><br />If you was going to use your boat for racing/high performance running, then I would say dump the gas. For normal use, it should be fine.<br /><br />Just my opinion....

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

I helped my boss get his boat running the other day. We were trying to figure out when the last time it was ran was, and concluded it was well over a year ago. It was tough getting it going, but it finally started. He is going to run it all out and put fresh gas in.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

Smell it. If it smells like gas you're fine.

Larger quanities of gas in a container will not go bad like a small amount in a mower or tractor will.

Yep..........<br />The Nose Test works Everytime.........<br />Volume is the secret.......<br />A teaspoon will go Bad in a Month..........<br />A Hundred Gallons will last Years...........

 

[kdmiller8251]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

If you are worried about water (condensation) in it get a mason jar and pump some out of it into the jar. Let sit for a few hours it will seperate the water and gas..

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

[edit]

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

I’m onboard with Quantumleap. Maybe things have changed but years ago I read about he molecular structure of gasoline. It does not store, with or without additives. I want it fresh whenever possible. As was mentioned, the problems old gas can cause just aren’t worth it, especially with small amounts like 20-gals. How does the saying go, “penny wise and pound foolish?”<br /><br />Now, having said that, I realize it is very common to use old gas and we aren’t deluged with reports about the devastating effects of old gas.<br /><br />Btw, I highly recommned ALWAYS filtering ALL fuel before feeding to your motor.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

I recommend the taste test.Taste it and if it tastes like gas its fine.Then sit back and light up a smoke and contemplate what to do with it.Charlie

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

Originally posted by quantumleap:<br />There is an article in the latest issue of Bass & Walleye Boats that all of the penny-pinchers should read that reinforces the fact that all gas, in ANY quantity will evaporate over time. It is the evaporation that is the problem. The varnish that forms during evaporation in the tank, fuel bowls, primer bulb, and gas line are what causes most of the fuel system problems, including nearly all carb rebuilds that you read about on this site.

He should have a fuel filter/water seperator, so that wouldn't be a problem

I'm not looking to make trouble, but when someone new to the board comes looking for advice, the advice should lean toward the overly cautious side, not the risky side. If you are willing to risk your outboard, fine, but don't assume anything. Nowhere in his post does he say anything about having a water separator on his set-up. Maybe you should have first asked if he did and recommended that he get one. Even with one, the gas in the tank COULD be several years old and if the boat was stored outside under a cover, the gas could be overly concentrated with moisture that could be more than a separator could remove. Did any of you see the post about a month or so ago about the guy who was questioning whether or not to run a boat with 3 year-old gas? He gambled and lost.

As I said in my first post, IF IT STILL SMELLS LIKE GAS it is fine. When gas turns to "varnish" it smells like varnish. If it's only a year old it is not bad, period. No, it's not as good as the day it was refined, but it's not going to hurt an engine. And I also said IF IT IS ONLY A YEAR OLD, I will buy a new powerhead if something goes wrong. I will sign a contract with you saying just that if you'd like. Unless the original poster here is dumb enough that he doesn't know what gas smells like, the only issue here is water. If he has a water seperator, which itself would be much cheaper than a new tank of gas if he has to buy one, he will not have any problem what so ever.

 

[Lund86]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

good one Crazy Charlie

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

[edit]

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

Originally posted by quantumleap:<br />[QB]Oz- where do you get your info from??? Here is a page from the Shell Petroleum Corp. website followed by a page from the Chevron Corp. site. 1. Note that Gasoline deteriorates long before you can see or smell any difference. 2. Also note that the manufacturers of Gasoline along with the engine manufacturers strongly suggest adding a stabilizer to fuel that is stored longer than 1-6 months. 3. Also note that there are other chemical and biological changes occuring as fuel breaks down than just water or varnish. You seem to be going against all the industry recommendations in your incorrect advice that old fuel is fine to use. <br />

I "get my info" from many many years of experience in storing many many many many many different engines. 2 cycle and 4, large full gas tanks and small mostly empty tanks. Gas companies and engine manufacturers tell you to use stabilizer because they don't want you coming after them when the gas goes bad. (and this is 2004, I wouldn't be surprised if someone tried to sue Chevron because they left gas in their lawnmower too long) Like I said, YES, it does go bad, but it takes a VERY long time for it to get so bad that it will do damage to an engine. Yes, every day that it sits it isn't as good as it was the day before. But year old gas is nothing to get your panties in a twist about. Like I said, if it still smells like normal gas, it is ok to use. It might not be as good as it was when it was refined, but it isn't going to hurt anything. The octane will be a little lower, but not much, and for one tank of gas it's not really an issue. Also, the more gas you have, the longer it lasts. The original poster says he has 20 gallons, that will DEFINATELY last at least a year.

 

[kshelly]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

Wow! Looks like someone's ready to "break out the gloves" over this issue! Bite the bullet...drain the fuel, start out fresh, case closed and you'll be worry free. Just to be worry free is worth the $40 to replace it, don't ya think?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Old Gas (what to do)

Well,<br />Just to Weigh In.......... <br /><br />I'm with Oz............<br />I think his 1st post is the Correct Answer to the Question Asked by wippel..........<br /><br />quantumleap,<br />You're basing Your Conculsion on Info supplied by the people Selling Gas.........<br />They want to Sell More of it.........<br />These Long posts Explain What goes Bad,+ How it Happens.............<br />But,<br />The Nose, Knows.......... <br /><br />More gas Keeps Longer than a Little Gas......<br />If it Smells like Gas.....<br />It IS Gas......<br />If there's Water in it,<br />That's a Totally Different Issue........<br />(That a canister Filter will take Care of)<br /><br />And,<br />I Base this on 40 Years of Turning Wrenches, On about Everything held together with Bolts...........