OK, last season after I pulled my O'Day 192 out for the winter, I just put the gas tank in the garage and it's been sitting for about 6 months. I'm using a well used, but still dependable, Johnson 4 HP, 2 stroke. What is the best think to do with the old mixture? Do I have to dispose of it or can I just use it? If I should dispose of it, how do I do that? Your thoughts and advice will be greatly appreciated. Tim
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I would not burn it in the car
The oil will load the catalyc converter. Then the car won't run and you can't get to the marina to go sailing. Not a good thing. Fill the tank with fresh gas and use it in the boat motor. What is the worst thing that can happen to the outboard? You need to change plugs. I do not worry about the gasoline in my lawn engines at home. They sit out in the cold shop and the evaporation rate is very slow. The colder you keep the gasoline, the fresher it will be in the spring. Leaving the gasoline in the tank sitting in the hot sun in the summer will cause the gasoline to age faster than in the winter. I would use stabilizer all year.
The oil will load the catalyc converter. Then the car won't run and you can't get to the marina to go sailing. Not a good thing. Fill the tank with fresh gas and use it in the boat motor. What is the worst thing that can happen to the outboard? You need to change plugs. I do not worry about the gasoline in my lawn engines at home. They sit out in the cold shop and the evaporation rate is very slow. The colder you keep the gasoline, the fresher it will be in the spring. Leaving the gasoline in the tank sitting in the hot sun in the summer will cause the gasoline to age faster than in the winter. I would use stabilizer all year.
Use it
Fuel used to go bad in the old days. Today, six-month-old gas, mixed or otherwise, does not go "bad." The days of fuel "jellying" in carb bowls are long gone. In fact, unless you mixed that fuel more than four years ago, which I doubt, that fuel is good. Period. For over the last five years or so, two-cycle oil and unleaded fuel have already come with anti-fouling (for fuel injectors), anti-jellying additives. In other words, burn it.
Fuel used to go bad in the old days. Today, six-month-old gas, mixed or otherwise, does not go "bad." The days of fuel "jellying" in carb bowls are long gone. In fact, unless you mixed that fuel more than four years ago, which I doubt, that fuel is good. Period. For over the last five years or so, two-cycle oil and unleaded fuel have already come with anti-fouling (for fuel injectors), anti-jellying additives. In other words, burn it.
Use it in your car ......
You dont want it in your outboard as the developed gums and varnishes will plug the teeny orfices and air passages, etc. in the outboards carburetor. Put it in your auto. Diluting it with a LOT of fresh gasoline will minimize any varnish effect .... just be sure to *use it up* and not let the car 'sit' as the old gasoline will help the new gasoline to begin its 'decomposition'. The orfices, etc. in an automobile arent as critically small as in a teeny outboard.
You dont want it in your outboard as the developed gums and varnishes will plug the teeny orfices and air passages, etc. in the outboards carburetor. Put it in your auto. Diluting it with a LOT of fresh gasoline will minimize any varnish effect .... just be sure to *use it up* and not let the car 'sit' as the old gasoline will help the new gasoline to begin its 'decomposition'. The orfices, etc. in an automobile arent as critically small as in a teeny outboard.
Nonsense, Rich
What teeny orifices are we talking about? Unless the tank of fuel has been open to bird droppings and saw dust, nothing in that fuel is going to hurt a "teeny" outboard.
What teeny orifices are we talking about? Unless the tank of fuel has been open to bird droppings and saw dust, nothing in that fuel is going to hurt a "teeny" outboard.
For the last thirty years
I have used a Lawn Boy 2 cycle mower. I never dump the old gas but each spring I have to use starter fluid to get the engine running. Not because the gas is "bad" but because some of the more volatile and lower flash point constituents have evaporated. Once the engine starts it will run normally.
I have used a Lawn Boy 2 cycle mower. I never dump the old gas but each spring I have to use starter fluid to get the engine running. Not because the gas is "bad" but because some of the more volatile and lower flash point constituents have evaporated. Once the engine starts it will run normally.
Try this site
I'd go ahead and burn it, BUT QUICK! At 6 mos you're getting toward the outside of the time frame that professional OB mechanics recommend using gas. At the site below you'll see varying opinions, but the bottom line is use it as quickly as possible after you buy it; 6-8 mos max. I use "Sta-bil" to maintain the gas over the the winter in California, but I never go beyond 6 or 7 mos in the Johnson 15HP that powers my Cat27. I also have a 6HP Johnson that's been sitting about a year, and I plan to rebuild it's carb before I try to use it. If it were me, I'd go ahead and use the stuff, but burn it quick, and be prepared to rebuild the carburetor if necessary (but not likely). Being in Califonia, with all our special pollution regs and testing done on our autos here, I wouldn't put it in my car. To be really safe (at least for the OB, if not the environment), I'd use it to kill the weeds growing over the winter in my deck or patio.
I'd go ahead and burn it, BUT QUICK! At 6 mos you're getting toward the outside of the time frame that professional OB mechanics recommend using gas. At the site below you'll see varying opinions, but the bottom line is use it as quickly as possible after you buy it; 6-8 mos max. I use "Sta-bil" to maintain the gas over the the winter in California, but I never go beyond 6 or 7 mos in the Johnson 15HP that powers my Cat27. I also have a 6HP Johnson that's been sitting about a year, and I plan to rebuild it's carb before I try to use it. If it were me, I'd go ahead and use the stuff, but burn it quick, and be prepared to rebuild the carburetor if necessary (but not likely). Being in Califonia, with all our special pollution regs and testing done on our autos here, I wouldn't put it in my car. To be really safe (at least for the OB, if not the environment), I'd use it to kill the weeds growing over the winter in my deck or patio.
prepare your gas
I prepare my stored gas in the fall by adding a gasoline stabilizer to the tank. I also make a point to disconnect the gas tank from the outboard and let it idle until it runs out of gas before pulling my boat out of the water. In the spring,I add some fresh mid-grade gas to the tank of old stuff to boost the octane (As gasoline ages, it tends to lose some of it's octane rating). This is what works for me. The old outboard always starts right up.
I prepare my stored gas in the fall by adding a gasoline stabilizer to the tank. I also make a point to disconnect the gas tank from the outboard and let it idle until it runs out of gas before pulling my boat out of the water. In the spring,I add some fresh mid-grade gas to the tank of old stuff to boost the octane (As gasoline ages, it tends to lose some of it's octane rating). This is what works for me. The old outboard always starts right up.
Let Me Give
This a shot! Almost any gas you buy at the pump has ethynol in it. This is okay except It Does NOT Store Long. Shelf life of about 3 months. Dump in car and fill and dilute as others have stated! The solution as I Know is to buy unoxyginated (know that's spelled wrong) fuel at the pump. Only certain stations have it. Usually those that specialize in small engines and marine use. There is normally a sign on the pump and the fuel cost about .20 more per gallon. This fuel is like the premium of the 1960s, NO ethynal. This is a good thing. Iv'e used this fuel for 5 years now in my snow blower, lawn mower, and boat motors. When the season is over I just leave them set with that gas in it. They always start right off, with no trips to get injectors or carbs cleaned from that ethynol gas. Regards, Brian
This a shot! Almost any gas you buy at the pump has ethynol in it. This is okay except It Does NOT Store Long. Shelf life of about 3 months. Dump in car and fill and dilute as others have stated! The solution as I Know is to buy unoxyginated (know that's spelled wrong) fuel at the pump. Only certain stations have it. Usually those that specialize in small engines and marine use. There is normally a sign on the pump and the fuel cost about .20 more per gallon. This fuel is like the premium of the 1960s, NO ethynal. This is a good thing. Iv'e used this fuel for 5 years now in my snow blower, lawn mower, and boat motors. When the season is over I just leave them set with that gas in it. They always start right off, with no trips to get injectors or carbs cleaned from that ethynol gas. Regards, Brian
BS
The gelled, gummed and varnished residual fractions will/can clog the airbleeds, the emulsion tubes, form inside of and restrict the main metering jet. I suggest you've been reading too many MIL specs for multifueled vehicles. Straight gasolines without oil additions 'are' more stable than a few years ago; but, nevertheless the addition of oil to the gasoline will promote rapid gum and varnish formation .... and those decompostion products agglomerate and block the airbleeds, emulsion tubes and small jets. Its the same for fractional HP chainsaws, weedwhackers, etc. etc. .... and small outboards. Further, the decomposed fractions that remain non-volitile will not fully combust, remain liquid but will form 'coke' deposits in the exhaust header, piston ring grooves, piston tops, etc. upon impingment to those elevated temperture surfaces.
The gelled, gummed and varnished residual fractions will/can clog the airbleeds, the emulsion tubes, form inside of and restrict the main metering jet. I suggest you've been reading too many MIL specs for multifueled vehicles. Straight gasolines without oil additions 'are' more stable than a few years ago; but, nevertheless the addition of oil to the gasoline will promote rapid gum and varnish formation .... and those decompostion products agglomerate and block the airbleeds, emulsion tubes and small jets. Its the same for fractional HP chainsaws, weedwhackers, etc. etc. .... and small outboards. Further, the decomposed fractions that remain non-volitile will not fully combust, remain liquid but will form 'coke' deposits in the exhaust header, piston ring grooves, piston tops, etc. upon impingment to those elevated temperture surfaces.
Don't pour it on the ground!
I use Sta-bil year-round, and have never had a problem. If you didn't add a fuel stabilizer to last season's fuel before putting it in storage, I would get rid of it. What are you going to save by using it, $8? I would rather know my fuel is good than be stuck without an engine. I am not so concerned with the clogged carb or fouled plugs issues as I take care of those every spring. The big issue with letting gas sit is water. Condensation may form inside the gas container, contaminating the fuel. Ain't nothin' you can do about bad fuel once you leave the dock. I had to get rid of some 2 cycle fuel once (stored over the winter without stabilizer). Took it to my favorite mechanic and asked if I could dump it in his waste tank. He didn't charge me a dime. Whatever you do, please do not pour it on the ground for whatever reason, not weed control, not anything, not ever. It only takes a tiny amount of gasoline to contaminate vast amounts of groundwater.
I use Sta-bil year-round, and have never had a problem. If you didn't add a fuel stabilizer to last season's fuel before putting it in storage, I would get rid of it. What are you going to save by using it, $8? I would rather know my fuel is good than be stuck without an engine. I am not so concerned with the clogged carb or fouled plugs issues as I take care of those every spring. The big issue with letting gas sit is water. Condensation may form inside the gas container, contaminating the fuel. Ain't nothin' you can do about bad fuel once you leave the dock. I had to get rid of some 2 cycle fuel once (stored over the winter without stabilizer). Took it to my favorite mechanic and asked if I could dump it in his waste tank. He didn't charge me a dime. Whatever you do, please do not pour it on the ground for whatever reason, not weed control, not anything, not ever. It only takes a tiny amount of gasoline to contaminate vast amounts of groundwater.
Have a bonfire
Start with a very large pile of wood, pour the mixed gas over itstand back and throw in a match. Fun, Fun, Fun.
Start with a very large pile of wood, pour the mixed gas over itstand back and throw in a match. Fun, Fun, Fun.
Use it in your lawn mower
A little extra lubrication won't hurt the lawn mower. The old 4 stroke lawnmowers will run on about anything and their carboration is simple. But if you have a 1/2 tank or so just fill it up with fresh fuel. This all assumes that the fuel is otherwise clean and free of water. I have dumped old fuel in my car's tank. A gallon or so in a 20 gallon tank gets diluted pretty well. Oil won't hurt a four stroke and old mechanics used to routinely pour oil through the carbarator to lube stuff up. Once I turned over my canoe with an outboard and got water in all of the fuel. I poured it into a glass jar beside the lake and after the water settled poured the gas back into the motor and it ran just fine...still runs just fine 15 years later.
A little extra lubrication won't hurt the lawn mower. The old 4 stroke lawnmowers will run on about anything and their carboration is simple. But if you have a 1/2 tank or so just fill it up with fresh fuel. This all assumes that the fuel is otherwise clean and free of water. I have dumped old fuel in my car's tank. A gallon or so in a 20 gallon tank gets diluted pretty well. Oil won't hurt a four stroke and old mechanics used to routinely pour oil through the carbarator to lube stuff up. Once I turned over my canoe with an outboard and got water in all of the fuel. I poured it into a glass jar beside the lake and after the water settled poured the gas back into the motor and it ran just fine...still runs just fine 15 years later.
I go 6 months with gas sitting for my outboard
all the time, it seems to work for me. (Nov-Apr). I don't use sta-bil in the gas but I bet that would help. Most of the time what I do end up doing is adding a little bit more fresh fuel (and 2-stroke mixing oil) to the existing fuel I had sitting around. Lots of times I don't even do that - I think my mercury 5HP is designed pretty well and can start up and handle it. I do definitely agree with Rich H about letting gas sitting in the fuel delivery system too long. The fuel in your gas tank is probably fine for 6 months, but leaving it in your outboard carb and fuel delivery system over an extended period of time is to be avoided. The fuel will evaporate and leave behind very small clogs and deposits. Yes I know that might not sound like much but the metering jets for these carbs are extremely tiny -- much smaller than a car and those are only around 5/100 of an inch . I had an old outboard that had slightly clogged jets from leaving the gas in the system and it evaporated -- it very easy to fix though, just opened up the carb & sprayed the jets and the fuel system liberaly with gum out and then use compressed air to clean out the fuel jets These guys talk about it here http://www.brokeboats.com/carbs.html
all the time, it seems to work for me. (Nov-Apr). I don't use sta-bil in the gas but I bet that would help. Most of the time what I do end up doing is adding a little bit more fresh fuel (and 2-stroke mixing oil) to the existing fuel I had sitting around. Lots of times I don't even do that - I think my mercury 5HP is designed pretty well and can start up and handle it. I do definitely agree with Rich H about letting gas sitting in the fuel delivery system too long. The fuel in your gas tank is probably fine for 6 months, but leaving it in your outboard carb and fuel delivery system over an extended period of time is to be avoided. The fuel will evaporate and leave behind very small clogs and deposits. Yes I know that might not sound like much but the metering jets for these carbs are extremely tiny -- much smaller than a car and those are only around 5/100 of an inch . I had an old outboard that had slightly clogged jets from leaving the gas in the system and it evaporated -- it very easy to fix though, just opened up the carb & sprayed the jets and the fuel system liberaly with gum out and then use compressed air to clean out the fuel jets These guys talk about it here http://www.brokeboats.com/carbs.html
The gas is fine
"and those decompostion products agglomerate and block the airbleeds, emulsion tubes and small jets. Its the same for fractional HP chainsaws, weedwhackers, etc. etc. .... and small outboards. " If this statement were true, why does my weedwacker start every spring? My chainsaw sits around a lot and it always starts right up. The gas is fine. Give it to me, I'll put it in my enigne.
"and those decompostion products agglomerate and block the airbleeds, emulsion tubes and small jets. Its the same for fractional HP chainsaws, weedwhackers, etc. etc. .... and small outboards. " If this statement were true, why does my weedwacker start every spring? My chainsaw sits around a lot and it always starts right up. The gas is fine. Give it to me, I'll put it in my enigne.
lawn mower
I always end up w/a couple gallons at the end of the season. Something about not wanting to run out. Anyway, it always sits in my tanks in the garage all winter, and then I use it in my lawn mower in the spring (both OB and lawn mower are four cycles). Lawn mower always runs fine, and has for four years now. But if I have a problem, I'd rather it be with the lawn mower in my back yard than my OB in the middle of the lake! So the OB gets fresh gas very spring. My buddy bought a brand new Tohatsu 9.9 four cycle last spring. Ran OK for a month, then quit idling. The Tohatsu service guy said there is a TINY passage for fuel flow when idling that cuts over to a bigger line when under more throttle. That little passage, he says, clogs up easily. He recommended stabil in the gas all season long, even when it's getting used quickly. Don't know whether I buy it, but that's what the guy said. Stabil costs a lot less than a $150 service bill. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
I always end up w/a couple gallons at the end of the season. Something about not wanting to run out. Anyway, it always sits in my tanks in the garage all winter, and then I use it in my lawn mower in the spring (both OB and lawn mower are four cycles). Lawn mower always runs fine, and has for four years now. But if I have a problem, I'd rather it be with the lawn mower in my back yard than my OB in the middle of the lake! So the OB gets fresh gas very spring. My buddy bought a brand new Tohatsu 9.9 four cycle last spring. Ran OK for a month, then quit idling. The Tohatsu service guy said there is a TINY passage for fuel flow when idling that cuts over to a bigger line when under more throttle. That little passage, he says, clogs up easily. He recommended stabil in the gas all season long, even when it's getting used quickly. Don't know whether I buy it, but that's what the guy said. Stabil costs a lot less than a $150 service bill. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
Taht Does it for Me
If Tom and Ray say go ahead I'll go ahead without any hesitation at all. You know they talk about boats most every week too. Not how to fix them or anythin just warning folks not to bring the car to the mechanic when his boat payment is due. http://cartalk.com/
If Tom and Ray say go ahead I'll go ahead without any hesitation at all. You know they talk about boats most every week too. Not how to fix them or anythin just warning folks not to bring the car to the mechanic when his boat payment is due. http://cartalk.com/
Works fine in your car
When I sold my OB a few years ago, I put the leftover gas (with the oil mix) in my car, on the advice of my mechanic, and never had a problem.
When I sold my OB a few years ago, I put the leftover gas (with the oil mix) in my car, on the advice of my mechanic, and never had a problem.
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