storing gasoline

B

beezaur

Joined
Jul 31, 2002
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I have heard that some liquid petroleum distillates will go bad in various ways during long term storage. For example, kerosene is ok as is (?), diesel will "laquer," and gasoline gets "stale."

For automitive gasoline, I wonder if the more volatile components don't just evaporate, and it would be ok if kept tighly sealed.

Anyone know about this? How can you store gasoline for a long time (years)?

Scott
 
I would be absolutely sure I added the additive that you use for storing gasoline. What you hear is true about storing gas for an extended period of time. I can't think of the name of it, but discount stores sell it and it is not expensive.Add it.
 
I think the stuff you guys are talking about is called Stabil you can get it at any auto parts place, I use it in my boat
 
Yep...Put Stabil in the gas. I did this every winter to the motorcycle. Fill the tank, add the suggested amount of Stabil, shake the bike to mix in the Stabil, then let the bike run for a minute.

http://www.goldeagle.com/sta-bil/

Car gasoline supposedly starts to degrade after two months of storage.
 
I'm thinking more like in a 1000 gal tank. Buy 20 gal here and there, add it to the pot. Kind of a rural thing. . .

Scott
 
When I was a kid, my dad used to have a fuel tank for his farm tractors. Whatever company he used would come out and fill it. I believe that type of service is still offered for farmers. I don't know how many gallons it held, but I doubt it was a thousand, probably less than 500.

Keep in mind that you can't store gas in just any container. All plastic containers are not equal, and the ones made for water will not hold up with gasoline in them. All the farm tanks I've seen were steel.
 
PRI makes a line of fuel stabilizers...

PRI-D for diesel, kerosene, and heating oil

PRI-G for gasoline.
 
Even after the stabilizer is added, you have to use the gasoline within a year or less. You can't add more and recover "stale" fuel either. Know what you'll use, and use it all.

Phil
 
i have kept about 400 gal at a time, now i keep about 100 gal in storage to run the generator if we lose power. that said i usually rotate the fuel 2-3 times a year. although i have used the pri-g and it kept the gas ok for 1 year. supposedly you can retreat the gasoline every year and it will keep it fresh. i have not tried this. the fuel i have stored for as long as one year ran fine in mowers, cars, chain saws, generators. some places have ordinances about storing fuel so your local laws might have something to say about storage. fuel storage time is based on the temperature the fuel is kept at, it will degrade faster at a higher temperature. so i usually store most over the winter months as it will keep better.
alex
 
I keep 30 gallons stored at my place. Use six of the five-gallon rubber cans. The gas is on hand for our generator or vehicle if needed. I keep it rotated and fresh by using it in the mower. Always use the oldest can then refill with fresh. Keep it in a very small storage shed well away from house, shop, and other buildings I don't wish to burn down.
 
So what happens if I have gas stored, unstabilized, for several years? I have some marine cans with automotive gas in my garage. Can it still be used in any way? If not, how do I dispose of it? Would it ruin my vehicle if I used it or would I just lose power and that would be the end of it?
 
Gas starts to deteriorate after two months. Stabil makes it last close to a year... The big thing is keeping it in an area that the temperature doesn't change, and it is out of direct sunlight.

Technology does wonders for reduced emissions on the motor... but its hell on your wallet
 
Only two months? Does that mean I can't even use my fuel anymore? Should I dispose of it? Will it cause damage of any kind to my engine?
 
i have stored fuel for 6 months and it has worked well in the vehicles and mowers and chainsaws etc. i would not keep it longer than that especially in the summer. that is why i tend to increase stocks of fuel in the fall as the temperature is down and this helps prevent deterioration.

alex
 
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Originally posted by Rumble
Only two months? Does that mean I can't even use my fuel anymore? Should I dispose of it? Will it cause damage of any kind to my engine?
---------------------

Burton,

You could try using the fuel in a diluted mix to dispose of it. Say your car gas tank has a 15 gallon capacity, try putting in a gallon or two of the "old" gas, then fill up the tank with fresh gas. I don't know that a diluted mix would actually damage anything or not.

The info I've seen on long-term storage of gas (over winter) in a vehicle/lawnmower is that the gas in the carburator forms sort of a shellac-like deposit on the metal parts & affects or stops their functioning. That gunky deposit then has to be cleaned off. Not sure if carb cleaner would take it off or not.

Any mechanics in the crowd? :confused:
 
you can still use it... the quality starts to degrade... moisture in the air and the anti-knock compounds. Your fine at two months, but it'll be like going form 91 to 89.

Zach
 
Good advice guys, thanks!

I'll try to mix up new and old gas and also try some additives so I don't waste the store fuel.

Final question...is there an absolute shelf life for gas? Is there a point where using it would be a bad idea (as opposed to just getting less performance out of the fuel)?

Cheers!
 
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