Free Petrol!

Richard B · 24 September 2002, 06:28

Yes - Free Petrol!!

OK - there's a catch - it's last season's 50:1 mix

I've got about 50 litres of the stuff as my SIB hasn't been out of the garage all summer. I believe that it isn't much use after 3-4 months storage so I'd like to dispose of it responsibly. Any ideas?

batfalcon · 24 September 2002, 06:51

Send it over to JK. He needs explosive stuff

John Kennett · 24 September 2002, 07:49

In my experience it is almost impossible to dispose of sensibly. I had a similar situation a few years ago and tried talking to the council, the fire brigade, the environment agancy and anyone else I could think of.

The only suggestion that came up was to use the waste oil facility at the local tip. This strikes me as being dangerously irresponsible advice!

There are four options that I can think of:

- leave it in your garage and just hope it goes away
- burn it (really NOT recommended)
- dump it on waste ground where it will soon evaporate (and hope that a passing dog walker doesn't choose that spot to throw a cigarette end (not recommended either)
- use it in your car, a gallon per tank of fresh fuel. OK with an old Land Rover, but not really recommended with a newer more sophisticated motor

None of these are very satisfactory. Any better ideas?

John

DJL · 24 September 2002, 08:17

I'm currently running my 25L of old 50:1 through my lawn mower. Should keep it going for a fair few years!!

Richard B · 24 September 2002, 08:46

My lawn mower's electric...

Doh!

DJL · 24 September 2002, 09:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Pepper
My lawn mower's electric...

Doh!

In which case I wouldn't recommend putting petrol in it!

Daniel · 24 September 2002, 10:49

I gave some to the local marine dealer who uses it to wash and clean bits of engine in.

I've also put it in the range rover which I DO NOT RECCEOMEND because it ran like crap for ages!

Er... chemistry teacher once told me safest way to dispose of a gas by-product is to burn it...but like JK said that sounds dangerous!

Daniel

batfalcon · 24 September 2002, 10:59

Every year, after the end of the season, I use all the petrol left in the boat's tank, little by little in my car. The presence of that little amount of oil in your car's tank will not harm anything, neither the engine nor the enviroment. In fact most of the cars have some oil consumption. Mine (Fiat Tempra), "burns" about 1L every 5000 km.

Mike C · 25 September 2002, 22:27

It makes good paint brush cleaner........ DIY mans dream!
(The only problem is the bristles fall out! - I hate DIY)

Mike c

GraemeCooper · 26 September 2002, 06:23

I had the same problem a few years ago - and the answer came from the chap who also serviced my Lawnmower.

The problem is only really with 'unleaded' fuel - and it is to do with water separation, so the fuel 'goes off'.

Leave it in the tank, and add a 'water evaporator' fluid - you can buy it from garages or Marinas, and the fuel will keep.

Not sure if it is best to add up front, or when you want to use it again - I put mine in at the start of the closed season - and have had no more problems.

I use the same stuff in my ex-military landrovet, which sits there all winter, and that has solved the same problem with her.

Hope this helps

David Perry · 26 September 2002, 21:33

There are many C*** makes of engine and RIB that would benefit from being no longer with us.With the correct sort of ignition and timing, the results could be spectacular and worthwhile.
Nomiations for the RIB/Engine bonfire for 5/11 please!

On a serious note...........the disposal of fuel must be done sensibly and without causing risk to others. I think a long trip around the UK in a RIB is part of the answer here, then again that may not be possible.

Think hard on this one.