why would gas be red??

[sprouticus]

I just emptied out an old OMC portable tank that I got with my "new to me" motor last year. It is the tank that the previous owner used to use, but I have never used it as I already had 2 of my own. The gas appeared to smell OK, but when I poured it out in a jar it was red. I poured the rest in a jerry can as I was going to use it in my old lawn-mower. Is this gas toast??? I don't think it is that old, more than 6 months, less than a year. I know 3 months is the recomended limit, but I am just curious...I have never seen red gas before and I hate to waste it @ $1.20 a L.<br /><br />Cheaper to buy new gas than to rebuild the carb on my lawn mower I guess. I would just like to know.

 

[technostingray]

Re: why would gas be red??

Red dye used to be put in gas to identify it as non road. Red Dye diesel is stiil used but dyeing gas went out so long ago I would hate to think how old it is.

 

[sprouticus]

Re: why would gas be red??

duh.........died gas. of course.........lol.<br /><br />if you check my location you will see that I live in Canada. Apparently we are behind the times as we still dye our boat gas. Lmao@me. I have only ever filled up with boat gas (you do not pay the road tax) once. The only place in town that sells it is usually closed when I get off work. OK. Well thanx for answering my question. I never even thought of it.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: why would gas be red??

Exxon!

 

[Link]

Re: why would gas be red??

LOL<br />And the diesel in my pickup came straight from the pump! <br />Yup! That my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: why would gas be red??

Some brands of gas are red tinted. The other possibility is that it is tinted from Stabil?

 

[PW2]

Re: why would gas be red??

My guess is that it has become tinted from the presense of outboard oil mixed in it.<br /><br />I would not use it in your lawn mower.<br /><br />Transfer it to a container you aren't using, and loan it to the neighbors.

 

[ztim]

Re: why would gas be red??

I know the military used to put dye in the gas. I heard it was to deter theft. I don't know if it is still done.

 

[ZooMbr]

Re: why would gas be red??

UP here if your are a farmer you can buy dyed gas or diesel legal for farmer/rancher to run in equipment or on the road. They don't save much like you do in the states; about $.04 L. I've had my truck dipped when I've crossed into Montana; seems farmers/ranchers like to fill up their trucks and motor homes before heading south. Makes good money for Montana -- ruins any savings they get on CA fuel.<br /><br />When my FIL quit ranching and just leased the land he lost his certificate (they check at the station) made him so mad, couldn't buy dyed fuel for tractor either. I put a tank on a trailer and would take it to a neighbor who would call out a delivery truck to fill it. Wouldn't save that much; but, it was one of his hot buttons - liked to think he was getting back at the system.

 

[Chief101]

Re: why would gas be red??

Portable tank?...I like the outboard oil mix idea. just a taught

 

[PW2]

Re: why would gas be red??

Yeah, some outboard oils are a deep blue, but I am sure I have used some brand of O/B oils in my 6 gallon tank that turned the gas a shade of red...

 

[LubeDude]

Re: why would gas be red??

Marvel mystery oil?????????????????????????

 

[oddjob]

Re: why would gas be red??

Originally posted by Bassin' Fever AKA LubeDude:<br /> Marvel mystery oil?????????????????????????

I would get that to my neighbors..even if it twer PW..

 

[jtexas]

Re: why would gas be red??

Originally posted by PW2:<br /> Yeah, some outboard oils are a deep blue, but I am sure I have used some brand of O/B oils in my 6 gallon tank that turned the gas a shade of red...

Must be a marketing idea, camo oil...sell more by making it the same color as the gas tank. Or maybe you added brake fluid...

 

[eeboater]

Re: why would gas be red??

I think it is color-coded to match the balance of your checkbook after filling up...

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: why would gas be red??

Maybe Lloyd Bentsen spilled some of his koolaid in it.

 

[sprouticus]

Re: why would gas be red??

lol@all these posts.<br /><br />I am pretty sure it is dyed gas. But all the speculation makes me laugh. I still feel stupid for not realizing it right away.<br /><br />thanx for reading.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: why would gas be red??

Isn't the blue dye in 2 cycle oil universal? I've never seen it in another color...much like the diesel die...

 

[PW2]

Re: why would gas be red??

I am sure that I have used some brand of outboard oil with a TC-3 rating that was red. (Pennzoil, perhaps?)<br /><br />Any of you outboard and or oil gurus confirm this, or am I, re this topic only, delusional?

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: why would gas be red??

Sta-bil fuel stabilizer is red.