Gasoline Shelf Life

[Prothec]

Gasoline seems to have a very limited shelf life. What is your take on how long gasoline can survive in storage sealed in a plastic or metal can, or sitting in a fuel tank essentially open to the atmosphere?

What about pre-mix? For example, that small can of pre-mix you might keep because the only engine that uses it is a snow blower

Ethanol blends obviously limit shelf life due to ethanol's affinity for moisture in the air.

As I understand it, in climates with seasonal weather changes, there is a difference between the winter fuel blends and the summer blends. This essentially may mean summer fuel should be used up before switching to a winter blend, etc.

When the weather starts to warm up toward the end of winter, I drain my tanks and throw the old fuel in my truck with fresh fuel. I'm not sure how far fuel stabilizers go. Regardless of additives, the fuel never seems to be the same after sitting for a season or so.

[jetmechmarty]

Ethanol blended fuel should be used up by twelve weeks. That includes the stuff in your tank or gas can. It's much less if left open to the atmosphere.

An Alcohol Fuel Test Kit will give you the data you need to keep engines safe with E10 gasoline. E10 Gas has a shelf life of only 3 months. Ethanol alcohol fuel blends have a shelf life of only 90-100 days, under ideal environmental conditions.

from fuel-testers.com

The problem begins with today's modern fuels. These so-called "clean" fuels typically deteriorate at much faster rates than fuels made 20 years ago. While all fuels suffer from the problem, most at risk are the EPA mandated reformulated gasolines (RFG) that contain oxygenate additives, derivatives of methyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol. We've seen gasoline have shelf life as little as a month--particularly if it is subjected to heat and moisture.

from theepicenter.com

[MPittma100]

Shelf Life

May I suggest using E0 (non ethanol) fuel? If you can find it, by all means store items only with this type of fuel. Fuel additives most often lose the battle against E10 fuel especially in extended storage without running the engine.

Yes, it costs more per gallon, and it is sometimes difficult to find, but well worth the effort. Using E0 saves me many $ each year.

[XJOK2PLAY]

A good friend of mine owns his own mechanic shop. He's one of the most knowledgeable mechanics I know.

I was over at his shop a few months ago, and he brought out a glass mason jar that had this nasty, black liquid in it.

He said it was 90 day old ethanol he had drained out of a customers tank.

Seeing that was enough for me to stop using the crap.

I'm a member of AMA, and I get their monthly magazine.
They've been writing all kinds of articles for the past year saying how the EPA is doing everything in it's power to mandate E15.

The AMA has a powerful lobby, and is actively fighting to stop that.
E15 would totally screw up small engines, especially motorcycles.

The fight is ongoing, but it sounds like the AMA may be winning.

IMHO, if 10% alcohol is this bad in gas, just imagine how bad it is at 15%?

Bob

[Prothec]

I ponder this every now and then, especially every winter when I find that I need to drain the gas from my snow blower. I get it started and set a bit rich when it's bearably warm outside to get ready for snow. This year and last year I had to fight with the cold, hard fuel line to be able to drain the tank because I have found the fuel to be the issue.

I suppose the annoying fuel containers that everyone complains about combat this somewhat as well as modern evap systems by sealing the system when not in use. You can tell how well these plastic containers seal as their sides fairly significantly balloon out and suck in with changes in temperature.

[madmax-im]

I am so happy to pay alittle more for ethanol free gas...its well worth it...arent there products that can treat ethanol gas if you cant find ethanol free?

[trbig]

I am so happy to pay alittle more for ethanol free gas...its well worth it...arent there products that can treat ethanol gas if you cant find ethanol free?

Yet another use for Seafoam. It is a better stabilizer than Sta-bil.

[motoman]

I am so happy to pay alittle more for ethanol free gas...its well worth it...arent there products that can treat ethanol gas if you cant find ethanol free?

Startron works for my bikes and majority of others who use it, since both bikes will sit unridden or started for a couple or three months at a time throughout the year at different times. It's an enzyme fuel treatment, not a cleaner like SeaFoam. I believe Stabil has a similar product for the alcohol fuel. Stabil also makes a concoction for two-stroke mixed fuel that may be stored for some time.
Neither of the latter mentioned would be my choice, but JMO.

[Radioguylogs]

I maintain about 25 engines for our personal use (3 cars, 1 motorhome, 2 boats, 1 OB boat motor, 3 chainsaws, 3 snowblowers, 3 motorcycles, 2 string trimmers, 2 mowers, 1 power washer, 1 generator, 1 rototiller, 1 chipper/shredder, etc...)

It's impossible to keep replacing the gas in all of these items.

I make sure I run at least one tank of gas through each engine at least once a year, and I don't have any trouble. I've been doing this for at least 25 years.

I don't buy any special gas, just normal 93 octane.

I am not afraid of 1 year storage.

[motoman]

I maintain about 25 engines for our personal use (3 cars, 1 motorhome, 2 boats, 1 OB boat motor, 3 chainsaws, 3 snowblowers, 3 motorcycles, 2 string trimmers, 2 mowers, 1 power washer, 1 generator, 1 rototiller, 1 chipper/shredder, etc...)

It's impossible to keep replacing the gas in all of these items.

I make sure I run at least one tank of gas through each engine at least once a year, and I don't have any trouble. I've been doing this for at least 25 years.

I don't buy any special gas, just normal 93 octane.

I am not afraid of 1 year storage.

......neither was I till two yrs. ago. Had put the Venturer in corner of garage under bike cover for a year. When I uncovered it to start it, turned over fine .....initially, then fuel was runnin' out bottom of airbox(none forward since having a small block of wood under front wheel on centerstand). Pulled tank and drained fuel with a green tint to it out. Pulled carbs and found floatfloat pins, etc. stuck with a sticky residue on them. Slides and metering rods also had a sticky coating. A litteral tripple clean of things resolved things, and alot of it done by hand each individual piece........but not something I would like to repeat on my ST having the four down-draft Kiehn carbs....and substantial more fiddleing getting there AND removal....BTDT for previous coolant elbow leaks.
Using Startron since that episode, when I know either one or both are gonna set for a while has worked fine for the past couple yrs. without any starting/running issues.

[IanDMacDonald]

First year for Strartron for me on my bikes. Used Sta-Bil since I was a kid with no issues. Gas is going back in a can soon so I rebuild the petcocks and repair some paint chips.

[Prothec]

...
I make sure I run at least one tank of gas through each engine at least once a year, and I don't have any trouble. I've been doing this for at least 25 years.

I don't buy any special gas, just normal 93 octane.

I am not afraid of 1 year storage.

I think that is key - finding a system that works for you and sticking to it. I'm in the trial and error phase as I build up a collection of bikes to maintain.

I've considered just draining fuel systems at the end of the riding season, at least the carbs. I know the debate of drain versus treat versus fuel treatment to use raises many varied opinions. I mainly consider that the carbs are open to the atmosphere and could evaporate dry or conversely draw enough ambient moisture to potentially require draining anyway.

I think I'm going to need to give Star Tron a try and see if it holds up to its claims.

[jetmechmarty]

I don't buy any special gas, just normal 93 octane.

I am not afraid of 1 year storage.

Maggie Valley, NC, the home of the Wheels Through Time Museum, has no available ethanol free gasoline. Dale Walksler, the museums curator, told me he was using BP 93 octane (IIRC), as it was less than 2% ethanol.

That being said, you may be doing the same thing, thereby minimizing the problem. My climate is obviously different than yours, and probably other factors, but I have never had good luck with 12 month old E10.

[Buckmaster79]

Aviation gas

A few years ago I went to Marne Iowa not far from where I live to the
largest Triumph dealer Baxter Cycle. He showed us his museum of old bikes
I asked him about fuel he said nothing but aviation gas so when winter gets
close that's what I put in.

Warning a XS1100 runs very well on this stuff so I mix one gallon of av gas
to two gallon of premium. Night and Day difference!!!!!

[Radioguylogs]

I've considered just draining fuel systems at the end of the riding season, at least the carbs. I know the debate of drain versus treat versus fuel treatment to use raises many varied opinions.

I have to remark that all 3 of my motorcycles have tanks that have been de-rusted inside, and they were bad before that. I don't believe in coating the inside of the tanks- I believe in keeping them full to avoid condensation.

However, I always drain my motorcycle carbs before parking them for the winter.

Generally speaking, I would not be afraid to drain a plastic gas tank for the winter. For the metal gas tanks, I worry about condensation.

I used Sta-Bil for several years, but it didn't seem necessary, so I stopped.