Using old petrol

Slaphead · 21 January 2005, 16:43

I have about 20 galls of unleaded petrol which is oil/moisture-free which was bought 18 months ago.I intend to run it through a 60hp Mariner oil injected engine.I was told that petrol 'goes off' after about a month.I don't know what this means and was wondering if anyone out there had any ideas as the engine is only a few years old and I don't want to burn the rings,etc out.I would have thought shaking the can before use would be ok.

vortex · 21 January 2005, 16:50

Chances are it's stale. Petrol is a mixture of different chemicals and the more volatile ones tend to evaporate first. This raises the flash point and makes starting difficult. If the petrol was stored in a vapor tight container with no air in it it might last longer but in practice very few fuel containers will hold vapors for 18 months. I suggest you use it in the lawn mower. If this stops you can at least walk home!

Paul F · 21 January 2005, 17:41

As quoted DITCH it it will be no good now. Treat the engine to some new stuff now that the price has dropped a couple of pence.
Paul

Hightower · 21 January 2005, 21:13

I wouldn't use it in the boat, but would the odd gallon in the car be OK?

I haven't used my RIB for a couple of months and siphoned out a few gallons last weekend to top up my cars, they're running alright, yeh I know that it's only 2 months old and not 18 but a little now and again just to use the fuel up wouldn't hurt? Would it?

Andy

Nasher · 21 January 2005, 21:34

I have a very useful 'user up of old petrol' and I'd recommend everyone gets one.

Its goes by the technical name of 'The wifes Peugeot'

You can put the cheapest, oldest, most moisture ridden petrol in it and it just keeps going.

I'll gladly take the 20 gallons off your hands, shall we say about a pound a gallon!

Nasher.

Hightower · 21 January 2005, 21:52

Sorted

Slaphead · 22 January 2005, 09:00

Thanks for your advice.I'll confine the stuff to cleaning wheel bearings for the next 20 years- or making petrol bombs or something.

Neal · 22 January 2005, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

I have a very useful 'user up of old petrol' and I'd recommend everyone gets one.

Nasher.

With your engine do you ever have any petrol left after a day out