Fuel life

Having bored the pants off people moaning about how long it has taken to get my boat into the water - it looks like i will launch the weekend after Australia Day. My query is i have a nearly full tank of 50-1 fuel that has sat in the shed for nearly 6 months. Is it useable or too risky? Any advice welcome.


Feral's picture

Posts: 1508

Date Joined: 01/11/06

pour it into your car and

Tue, 2009-01-06 12:22

pour it into your car and make a fresh batch .... its a little hard to swim home somedays :)

pouring 20lt into a 60 car tank aint going to hurt the car even with the oil in it

wrassinator's picture

Posts: 554

Date Joined: 26/11/08

That or mow your lawn every

Tue, 2009-01-06 12:34

That or mow your lawn every day over the summer months Tongue out

7739ian's picture

Posts: 948

Date Joined: 25/06/08

Thanks guys

Tue, 2009-01-06 12:44

i suppose i am a bit of a tightarse - shame i drive a diesel ute and the mower is a 4 stroke.

carnarvonite's picture

Posts: 8669

Date Joined: 24/07/07

How many litres?

Tue, 2009-01-06 12:45

If its only 20 litres or so just shake shit out of it to re mix the oil in it and it should still be ok.The oil separates out after a while.I've used fuel that was 12months old without any problems

Posts: 16

Date Joined: 01/01/70

Keep it - Good investment?

Tue, 2009-01-06 14:29

You must have paid $1.40 a litre for it then - keep it until the price goes up again...LOL

Na seriously, just split it half half with your spare tank and freshen it up with new fuel and oil...should be fine then....

carnarvonite's picture

Posts: 8669

Date Joined: 24/07/07

Price

Tue, 2009-01-06 14:33

Still $1.43 a litre and 91cents for lpg here in Carnarvon

HuggyB's picture

Posts: 2515

Date Joined: 03/08/08

buy high octane fuel (ultimate 98 etc)

Tue, 2009-01-06 14:54

as it last longer than standard ULP.

 

but in your case, tip some into a jerry and put some fresh petrol and oil in the tank. Wouldn't hurt to spike it with some octane additive also.

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Andy's picture

Posts: 522

Date Joined: 08/10/05

Get rid of it and start with

Tue, 2009-01-06 15:54

Get rid of it and start with fresh stuff. I was told at tafe that higher octane fuel has a shorter shelf life than standard unleaded.

HuggyB's picture

Posts: 2515

Date Joined: 03/08/08

Not what I've been told

Tue, 2009-01-06 16:08

when I put my car on gas, since you try and use the least amount of fuel possible and it can sit in your tank for quite a while, the guy there said use high octane fuel as it doesn't go stale as quick, last 6 months compared to normal ULP which lasts around 4 - 12 weeks.

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Posts: 9358

Date Joined: 21/02/08

Pretty sure what they mean

Tue, 2009-01-06 17:38

Pretty sure what they mean is you still have enough high octanes to kick the motor. The reality is that if your motor demands high octane mix, it doesn't sit any better than lower octane fuels.

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HuggyB's picture

Posts: 2515

Date Joined: 03/08/08

no

Tue, 2009-01-06 19:58

the ULP will drop octane rating as it degrades, while PULP will remain the same for a lot longer period.

 

It has nothing to do with my bog stock commodore V6 ute on dual fuel needing high octane fuel.

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                    The Terrorist - coming to a fishing spot near you.........

Posts: 9358

Date Joined: 21/02/08

I think we might have to

Wed, 2009-01-07 09:24

I think we might have to disagree on this, my pal's skyline is really picky on fuel and he only buys from places that turn over their tank fast for that sole reason.

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roberta's picture

Posts: 2773

Date Joined: 08/07/08

And the high octane is

Tue, 2009-01-06 16:14

 good for your injectors, we've been told.  We've got stale fuel in spare tank, Bob's putting it in the Ford and about half in the 80litre tank, filling up tank and spare when we go (bloody hell when grrrrr) to Leeman.

 

SPEWIE LEWIE

Cockburn Power Boat Member

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Ginger Tablets Rock

 

wrassinator's picture

Posts: 554

Date Joined: 26/11/08

Dunno that I would believe

Tue, 2009-01-06 16:58

Dunno that I would believe anything the fuel companies told me. all geared to push their products onto us poor public that have no real viable alternative. Anyone running their boat on biofuels? Could save your own fish and chip oils..... Just kiddin

dagree's picture

Posts: 660

Date Joined: 08/12/07

Give it to the kids

Tue, 2009-01-06 22:25

Our daughters ask if they can borrow $20 for fuel till they get paid... I say better still "come around and I can give you 40 litres". Drain the boat tanks and put it in their cars and away they go... No probs yet and the boat gets fresh fuel when needed.
Cheers,
David

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Cheers,

David (AKA Grumps)

Location: Heathridge.  Toys:  120 Series Prado ... 5.3 Stacer Seamaster/Merc 90HP.

Posts: 587

Date Joined: 04/01/09

For cars, Fuel has a life of

Tue, 2009-01-06 23:57

For cars, Fuel has a life of about 6months. As evapouration takes its toll, the leftovers is actually stickier and thicker. Using old fuel can cause injectors to stick as they open and close. It will also leave sticky residue throughout the fuel lines, system and pump which in turn can make engines to run leaner from injectors malfunctioning. It will also cause it to smoke grey/black constantly.

If it was me, I'd chuck it and get new fuel along with a flushing additive. Taking chances when unsure might only cost you more in damages.

7739ian's picture

Posts: 948

Date Joined: 25/06/08

Thanks everyone

Wed, 2009-01-07 07:30

As i don't want to look like a plonker drifting out of sight  - i will pour it down the nearest street drain or some other ecologically responsible disposal method.

Neander's picture

Posts: 520

Date Joined: 23/10/07

Put it in the mower, mix it

Wed, 2009-01-07 12:10

Put it in the mower, mix it 50/50 with unleaded. will only be a little bit smokey but wont harm the motor.