how long is gas good for

Discussion in 'Technical' started by JHodges, Nov 25, 2009.

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  1. JHodges

    JHodges thumper

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    I got my truck put back together after a cam change. The gas in the tank has been there since july. When it cranked it would idle fine but it was skippy and would not rev high. I kept it around 2000 to brake in the cam. Anyway to me it seems if gas sits a couple months its shot
     
    JHodges, Nov 25, 2009
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  2. rthomas771

    rthomas771 Member

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    Rental cars at the airport sit a long time without problems.
     
    rthomas771, Nov 25, 2009
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  3. Joe Dirt

    Joe Dirt BBF life

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    todays gas is lucky to go 6 months without some kind of additive to help preserve it
     
    Joe Dirt, Nov 25, 2009
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  4. Dave B

    Dave B I like Mavericks!

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    It's good until it's gone....then you have to buy more...
     
    Dave B, Nov 25, 2009
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  5. darren

    darren Member

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    Shelf life can be as little as 2-3 months then it starts to break down. Stabilizer is a must for any storage. I use it in all my gas toys during there off season.
    Other issues like water,condensation etc. depends on the storage vessel.
     
    darren, Nov 25, 2009
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  6. PAINTANK

    PAINTANK Cometosis Obsessivus

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    My Ranchero had 4 year old gas in it that smelled like paint varnish and was deep orange. It managed to turn the motor over but it was BAD. I had to rebuild the carb and replace all the filters.
    No wonder it was only $200.
     
    PAINTANK, Nov 25, 2009
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  7. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    If you have 10% ethanol like we do - 2 months tops without some Sta-bil. Real gasoline about 6 months. I have had regular gas with Sta-bil sit for 2 years and it was fine.
     
    Acornridgeman, Nov 25, 2009
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  8. Jeff S

    Jeff S Member

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    I have an 85 prelude thats been broke down since around July of 2008, I fixed it in September, 2009...started right up with no problem, no spitting, sputtering or anything else...purrs like a kitten, Ive gone through a whole tank since then with no issues at all.
     
    Jeff S, Nov 25, 2009
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  9. Jeff S

    Jeff S Member

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    Nice contribution there Dave, I see youve been helping out a lot lately... :rolleyes:
     
    Jeff S, Nov 25, 2009
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  10. 302-72-mav

    302-72-mav Member

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    just add some good gas to the old stuff
     
    302-72-mav, Nov 25, 2009
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  11. fastback86

    fastback86 Loose cars and fast women

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    All depends on storage condition. The fuel you get today is absolute garbage. Under ideal conditions (sealed container, with little to no air in it) it will start to break down after about 3 months. The other problem is the methanol our government puts in the fuel will attack certain fuel system components as well as absorb moisture out of the air. Sta-bil certainly seems to help but I never rely on that as a guarantee. That being said, in my experiences repairing small engines, I have seen fuel give people problems after 1 month, and I've seen fuel over a year old with no stabilizer start an engine and run it (I'm sure with a decrease in performance). Even if old fuel will run an engine it can leave gummy deposits on your intake valves and combustion chamber.

    If it was my fuel and it was over 3 months old with no stabilizer I wouldn't use it
     
    fastback86, Dec 2, 2009
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  12. PaulS

    PaulS Member extrordiare

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    The additive is Ethanol - not Methanol. Ethanol is not as bad on components and most of the rubber parts are neoprene which is completely compatible with Ethanol. You are right about Methanol being hard on those parts though.
     
    PaulS, Dec 2, 2009
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  13. JHodges

    JHodges thumper

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    I drained it all and put in fresh and it runs good now. My dad has a 92 corolla that has been sitting for 2 years because of tranny problems and it will run fine
     
    JHodges, Dec 2, 2009
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  14. fastback86

    fastback86 Loose cars and fast women

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    I honestly don't know where my mind wanders to sometimes. I meant to write ethanol. Don't know where the heck methanol came from :D
    I know for the most part automotive fuel systems see far fewer problems than the carburetors on your line trimmers these days.
     
    fastback86, Dec 2, 2009
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  15. Rando76

    Rando76 Member

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    I found this out the hard way in my 4-wheeler. I usually buy non-ethanol gas, but I must have put ethanol in it by accident - it was gummed up within a few months and now I need to go through the carb. :16suspect
     
    Rando76, Dec 3, 2009
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