Petrol "shelf life"

[MustRib]

Just wondering if anyone can give me a definitive answer to the "shelf life" of the unleaded in my plastic fuel tanks?

[Matt]

Yes. Variable.

[Nos4r2]

About 3 to 4 months depending on if it's premixed or not. Premix goes off a bit quicker-around 3 months.

That's before it starts to smell funny.




If you're leaving it over the winter grab some fuel stabiliser from your local lawnmower centre or chandlers (same stuff, more money )

[MustRib]

thanks Nos
hmmm .. think I will be using whats left in the SIB tank to have a bonfire or a barbecue!
Have to get out in the Rib in the next few weeks then. Wish the weather would pick up a little

[prairie tuber]

The biggest reason I like oil injected 2 strokes over pre-mix is that when I'm done boating, I can simply dump the left over fuel in my marine jerry cans back into my truck's gas tank.

[GuyP]

Originally Posted by MustRib

Have to get out in the Rib in the next few weeks then.

Or just add some fresh fuel to the stuff in the tank the next time you want to use it.

I reckon all this fuel 'going off' stuff is nonsense anyway. It'll still work, it doesn't mysteriously become uncombustible (speaking from experience of non pre-mix that is)

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by GuyP

Or just add some fresh fuel to the stuff in the tank the next time you want to use it.

I reckon all this fuel 'going off' stuff is nonsense anyway. It'll still work, it doesn't mysteriously become uncombustible (speaking from experience of non pre-mix that is)

Come and smell the non-premix I've got in a can in the garage that was used for cleaning down last year.It smells like parrafin and I could probably throw a match in it without it lighting.

[MustRib]

Sort of my point really....anyone on the forum with petrochemical experience/knowledge who has the "official" answer to this or can expound with the science behind whats at play in determining shelf life?
I dont want to use "bad" petrol.

cheers
Andy

[MustRib]

and its too bloody expensive just to chuck away!
I have half a tank for the SIB last used in May thats pre-mix and a tank full of regular (not pre mix) from end of August on the RIB.

[DJL]

Most petrol manufactures give the storage life of petrol to be around one year.

So even in less than ideal boat tanks I wouldn't worry about leaving neat petrol over the winter. You're probably better toping the tanks off to keep the amount of air/moisture in the tank down.