stale petrol question

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Rikkitic

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#295164 9-Mar-2022 18:34

How big a deal, really, is stale petrol? I have inherited a big stash, along with a number of farm tools that use it. Some containers have screwed on lids, others not, but I would not call any of them air-tight. Age of the fuels probably ranges from about two years to forever. If it is deadly to the devices, how do I get rid of it?

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

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#2883917 9-Mar-2022 18:38

You can use the petrol to fix your internet

neb

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#2884026 9-Mar-2022 21:48

how do I get rid of it?

Will you still have it at Guy Fawkes?

"An accelerant was used...".

Rikkitic

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#2884027 9-Mar-2022 21:54

Most queries receive serious replies. I must have hit a bad streak.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

neb

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#2884029 9-Mar-2022 22:01

Rikkitic:
Most queries receive serious replies.

Are you sure you're thinking of GZ here?

cokemaster

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#2884033 9-Mar-2022 22:09

@Handle9: You can only afford to do that if you have prepurchased fuel on Sharetank or have heaps of AA Smartfuel discounts (endorsed by @sbiddle :P)

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cokemaster

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#2884035 9-Mar-2022 22:16

@Rikkitic - on a more serious note... you could probably won't want to use any suspected stale in anything modern.
With older equipment, you could probably blend it in with fresh fuel and burn it off slowly that way. I do that with my lawn mowers.

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#2884037 9-Mar-2022 22:23

Rikkitic: ... If it is deadly to ..., how do I get rid of it?

... to anything ... = consider it hazardous waste & start with your local council.

For Auckland, that would be https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/rubbish-recycling/Pages/hazardous-waste.aspx

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

Handle9

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#2884046 9-Mar-2022 22:34

cokemaster:

@Handle9: You can only afford to do that if you have prepurchased fuel on Sharetank or have heaps of AA Smartfuel discounts (endorsed by @sbiddle :P)

I'm paying NZ$1.25 a litre here in the Middle East so it's a bit more manageable 😜

SepticSceptic

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#2884053 9-Mar-2022 22:57

If the fuel is that old, maybe the lead has precipitated out ..
Give the container a good shake ... anything rattling is probably the lead..
:-)
..

Bung

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#2884060 10-Mar-2022 00:08

My lawnmowers (2 x 4 stroke B&S, 1 2 stroke Iron Horse) don't care unless there's water in the carbs. I'd try it before disposing.

gbwelly

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#2884077 10-Mar-2022 07:28

Rikkitic:

How big a deal, really, is stale petrol? I have inherited a big stash, along with a number of farm tools that use it. Some containers have screwed on lids, others not, but I would not call any of them air-tight. Age of the fuels probably ranges from about two years to forever. If it is deadly to the devices, how do I get rid of it?

Stale fuel is a very real problem, if the newest is 2 years old then it's shagged and probably only any good as a cleaning solvent. Even fuel I've stored over winter is only usable in my 4 stroke lawnmower. The 4 stroke line trimmer will miss and stutter on high RPMs if I try and run it on it. There is usually a spot at the tip for used engine oil, leaving it there would be my advice for disposal.

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Eva888

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#2884091 10-Mar-2022 08:13

This question also made me wonder about our second car which has a full tank because we hardly drive it since we bought a hybrid. The petrol in that car would be at least a year old and at least half of it a lot older as it was topped up. This question could also be a concern for many with cars sitting unused in a garage.

Mind you with the cost of gas now and the huge tank it has, we would likely get more money selling the gas than the car.

mudguard

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#2884095 10-Mar-2022 08:35

Eva888: This question also made me wonder about our second car which has a full tank because we hardly drive it since we bought a hybrid. The petrol in that car would be at least a year old and at least half of it a lot older as it was topped up. This question could also be a concern for many with cars sitting unused in a garage.

Mind you with the cost of gas now and the huge tank it has, we would likely get more money selling the gas than the car.

My project car has a tank full of 98 and has been sitting at the panel beater for over four months. I should be siphoning that out to sell!!

johno1234

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#2884099 10-Mar-2022 08:53

My boat (200hp EFI Mercury 2 stroke, pre-mix) starts each summer with gas left in the tank from the end of the previous summer. I top it off with fresh petrol and toss in a litre of meths to absorb moisture. Still going strong after a decade of this abuse.

Mattnzl

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#2884130 10-Mar-2022 09:26

Take a sniff - truly gone off petrol smells awful.

Like others above, I just mix in some fresh fuel (to aid starting) and use in lawnmower. If you have lots - offer to mow the neighborhood ;-)

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