I have some old fuel (approx 1 x litre) in a can. To avoid the hassle of going to a recycle place would I be ok to shove it my petrol car when I have a full tank. The litre is possibly 2 stroke mix as it has a reddish tinge, its leftovers from a small generator.
Confirm, old fuel
Mar 22, 2019
Last reply: 7 years ago
39 Replies
yeah. Bung it in.
Is it petrol? Are you sure? Not red diesel?
Bill
If it's leaded it will do your catalytic converter no good at all.
Just how long ago was leaded on sale? It is leaded, perhaps it should be better given to a museum?
I wouldn't waste my time taking a litre of fuel to a recycle unit. What do you hope to achieve? At the very worst you can wash oil based paint brushes out with it or save it for future use.
I'd prefer to feed it to a lawnmower or such rather than my car.
Andy
+1 fwiw
Evidently if was withdrawn from sale in 2000. I'm pretty sure I've got bottles and other containers in the garage a /lot/ older than that!
The OP didn't say how old his fuel was.
I wouldn't risk it if you don't know what it is - it could be diesel or paraffin. If it's 2-stroke mix, your engine might not like the oil in it
- even diluted, as it will be.
It is petrol I just dont know if oil was added to make the 2 stroke mixture although the reddish colour tends to say it was.
The dilution to the car will be approx 1 litre to 32 litres of petrol. Of which only a fiftieth of the litre would be oil.
As the saying goes, there's no fuel like an old fuel.
Tip it in the tank of a diesel car (owned by someone who has annoyed you).
AVgas still available ??
Neighbour has just spent 3 hours trying to start his petrol lawnmower (4-stroke briggs & stratton) after he forgot to drain out the tank last autumn.
Ive started lawnmower up to 2 yeras in stoirage same fuel. Likewas motorhome.
Not optimal, but works
Or tip ina few liters of fresh
I have *never* drained the fuel from my B&S lawnmower at the end of the season and it has always started in the spring with a couple of extra pulls. Been doing this for at least 20 years now.
Tim
Should have drained it down & made sure no fuel in carburetor. The volatiles added to aid starting have evaporated off. Petrol should be stored in a closed container (gas tight)to stop this from happening
Does that not depend on the way it dilutes in the tank though?
Give it to a local firm of gardeners. Brian
Likewise. Chainsaws can need a carb clean but not always.
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