I have about 5 gallons of 2 stroke gas/oil mix left in a metal portable tank. Is it OK to save that through the winter in an outside garage to use next spring, or is is a good idea to have it recycled now and start fresh in the spring - thanks - Walter6016
Save Gas till spring
- Thread starter Walter6016
- Start date
- Status
I routinely use last year's gas. Get yourself some Sta-bil or other fuel stabilzer, and you are all set. don't even think of buying it at a chandlery; go to Walmart or the hardware store. Its about two thirds the price.
maybe recycle
While gas stays in a auto fuel tank(metal, of course) at any given time, it's eventually intermixed with fresh fuel from time to time. Using a fuel stabilizer will certainly help, but there's a limit on that as well. Even Stabil has a limit on how long it will be effective. We can assume that you've drained the fuel from your engine system already, but how long has the fuel been in the tank already is another factor. I've "paid the price" at least once by pushing my luck on how long to keep the fuel.
While gas stays in a auto fuel tank(metal, of course) at any given time, it's eventually intermixed with fresh fuel from time to time. Using a fuel stabilizer will certainly help, but there's a limit on that as well. Even Stabil has a limit on how long it will be effective. We can assume that you've drained the fuel from your engine system already, but how long has the fuel been in the tank already is another factor. I've "paid the price" at least once by pushing my luck on how long to keep the fuel.
I know this will draw lots of heat but here goes:
Gasoline these days with alcohol in it lasts barely three months. I throw dated pre-mix ((oil and gasoline mix) into my car. Yeah, I know, there's oil in it. If you think about it, at 50:1 it's not a lot of oil. If I toss a couple of gallons into the tank of my car it's diluted even further. I usually alternate tankfuls. Over the course of the winter I burn it off without any problems. At that low a concentration I have seen no effect on the cat converter either.
Last weekend we wanted take a cruise in the dinghy and had only about half a tank in the Honda 2 HP outboard. I topped it up from the pre-mix outboard gas I have on board and cruised the anchorage with no problems. Not even a wisp of smoke.
Gasoline these days with alcohol in it lasts barely three months. I throw dated pre-mix ((oil and gasoline mix) into my car. Yeah, I know, there's oil in it. If you think about it, at 50:1 it's not a lot of oil. If I toss a couple of gallons into the tank of my car it's diluted even further. I usually alternate tankfuls. Over the course of the winter I burn it off without any problems. At that low a concentration I have seen no effect on the cat converter either.
Last weekend we wanted take a cruise in the dinghy and had only about half a tank in the Honda 2 HP outboard. I topped it up from the pre-mix outboard gas I have on board and cruised the anchorage with no problems. Not even a wisp of smoke.
Re: maybe recycle
I have a diesel engine in my boat but a 2 cycle engine on my lawn mower. For 15 years I have run the mower on the gas I have until I run out and then buy fresh. When I finish in the fall I shove the mower into the shed and come spring I pull it out and start a new mowing season with the gas that was left in the tank and carburetor and refuel with whatever was left in the can from the year before. I have not had a problem, but what do I know 15 years may be a short test for these things.
I have a diesel engine in my boat but a 2 cycle engine on my lawn mower. For 15 years I have run the mower on the gas I have until I run out and then buy fresh. When I finish in the fall I shove the mower into the shed and come spring I pull it out and start a new mowing season with the gas that was left in the tank and carburetor and refuel with whatever was left in the can from the year before. I have not had a problem, but what do I know 15 years may be a short test for these things.
if it were me
I would put it in my car ! Wait until the tank is as empty as possible put in you five gallons and then fill up tank with fresh gas. If you dilute it enough it will be OK to burn in your car. I might even suggest that you refill the tank when about half. I just did this with 3 gallons of gas/oil mix no problems and I have done this in the past with no problems.. The new ethanol gas has a very short shelf like and you have a relatively small amount. I also solves the problem of storing five gallons of gas in garage or wherever you were going to store it. Just what I would do......
I would put it in my car ! Wait until the tank is as empty as possible put in you five gallons and then fill up tank with fresh gas. If you dilute it enough it will be OK to burn in your car. I might even suggest that you refill the tank when about half. I just did this with 3 gallons of gas/oil mix no problems and I have done this in the past with no problems.. The new ethanol gas has a very short shelf like and you have a relatively small amount. I also solves the problem of storing five gallons of gas in garage or wherever you were going to store it. Just what I would do......
I am saving mine. I am sure the quality will go down
. not to mention that Thde gas I will have in my boat next spring will not be exposed to what ever happens to fuel costs this winter. I will be happy with my full tank next year as I have always thought is was a good investment to fill the tank at the end of the season.
I have never had any problems with 6 month old gas burning in my 2 stroke 9.9.
Buy it now, it my not be available in the spring....
r.w.landau
. not to mention that Thde gas I will have in my boat next spring will not be exposed to what ever happens to fuel costs this winter. I will be happy with my full tank next year as I have always thought is was a good investment to fill the tank at the end of the season.I have never had any problems with 6 month old gas burning in my 2 stroke 9.9.
Buy it now, it my not be available in the spring....
r.w.landau
Re: I am saving mine. I am sure the quality will go down
I'm putting my old gas in a safe deposit box as it's about the only thing I know will increase in value over time
I'm putting my old gas in a safe deposit box as it's about the only thing I know will increase in value over time
Recycle It For Peace of Mind...
...it may be just California formulation, but we are seeing problems with starting and idling and carbs in as little as six weeks. We are all (my dock mates and neighbors) making an extra effort to get as little as we can and use what we get as fast as we can. We are also using stabilizer regularly.
...it may be just California formulation, but we are seeing problems with starting and idling and carbs in as little as six weeks. We are all (my dock mates and neighbors) making an extra effort to get as little as we can and use what we get as fast as we can. We are also using stabilizer regularly.
That's the alchohol in the gas. Alchohol is lousy in a vehicle not designed for it, When I take the time to drive up and get 'real' gasoline, my car runs better (more pick-up, and smoother) and I gain over 30 miles per tankfull. The biggest issue I have is that my truck may sit for two or three weeks at a time, and then it runs even worse.
Best way to store gas is to put it in a tightly sealed steel (glass works better, but....) container that is filled almost to the brim so it has very little airspace so the alcohol can't absorb moisture from the air. Plastic doesn't keep gas as long as metal, if it's kept somewhere with a steady tempurature, then it'll keep longer too.
Ken.
Have to agree with Rick on this one,
Otherwise I have to deal with it, and that makes me cranky. Tim
The only time I use the motor is when I have to, therefore I take no chances with stale gas, a briggs and stratton lawnmower will run on almost anything without harm, and if it acts up the only problem is your neighbors sniff about your unkempt lawn, to say nothing about the boat in the driveway:naughty: Using it in a modern car is risky, you can do serious damage to o2 sensors and cats by using adulturated fuel. I know it is diluted and all, but as a mechanic, I see first hand how sensitive cars are today GM requires the use of certain sealers for intake manifolds and the like because of the risk of o2 sensor damage "Incorrect usage of RTV sealants (cure in the presence of air) may cause damage to vehicle components such as oxygen sensors. This is caused by silica particles collecting on the oxygen sensor and contaminating the sensor. The correct application for RTV sealants is listed in the WDDGM parts book. The correct RTV sealants to use on engines in GMC Trucks are part numbers 1052914 or 1052917 (black) or part number 1052915 (clear). Red RTV sealant, part number 1052366, is for use on rear axle differential covers only, as it contains silica." if the small amount of silica from sealer can damage a sensor then what about the witches brew of old gas oil water, dirt and whatever in that can? Give it to a gardener, or take it to a hazardous waste roundup.
Otherwise I have to deal with it, and that makes me cranky. Tim
Last edited:
Re: Have to agree with Rick on this one,
I have a couple of buddies with 2 cycle snow blowers. I fix 'em up with my leftover gas.
I have a couple of buddies with 2 cycle snow blowers. I fix 'em up with my leftover gas.
- Status