I always drain the fuel from garden machinery before the winter or other period of little use. There is an aditive you can buy to make starting easier after prolonged inactivity. Getting rid of old fuel is more of a problem now that both are cars are diesel. Fortunately my modern grass cutters do start much more easily than the old ones. Maybe some sot of electronic ignition.
Saving them for a riot that never happened?
I never drain the fuel
Tim+ formulated the question :
Same here with my B&S powered lawn tractor. I ran it for the first time a couple of weeks ago to cut grass, then again yesterday. Started at the first attempt, as I have come to expect.
It used to be common practice to put a little petrol in diesel vehicles in winter.
NT
Do you not know what the engine is that it was used for?
Chuck it on a bonfire (without setting yourself alight).
Probably depends on how hot your shed gets.
Almost impossible IMBE
The flame goes up the stream of fuel faster than it falls down. So you'd be holding a flaming container in what would be left of your hand.
Good slow motion demo
My Honda started 2nd pull... OTOH it's been in a warm dry garage all winter, and it's only 3 years old.
Andy
That's why you use an open container (mug, paint kettle) and chuck it rather than pouring it.
I think that lies on the spectrum somewhere twixt ?exceedingly brave? and ?exceedingly foolish?. At no point is it a good idea.
Tim
I agree that as a general rule it's something you just shouldn't do unless you're wearing appropriate flame protection, and have someone standing by with an extinguisher, but I seem to have got away with it on multiple occasions. Someone should do a video demonstrating what you can get away with and what you really shouldn't try. Maybe petrol vapour vs. garden shed would be fun too. :-)
Go on then. Waiting patiently for video...
The best redneck vs petrol videos involve pouring lots of it over your bonfire, then giving the vapour plenty of time to spread (while you put the can back in the shed, fetch your lighter, swig your beer etc) before lighting it up, e.g.
I would only use it in a lawnmower or similar. No need to go to a disposal place, stick it in the garden in a shallow open tray and let it evaporate.
It has been available in about half dozen locations far more recently than that and may still be.
I last passed this place about 18 months ago.
Presumably there must be a reasonable customer base with old classic vehicles around these rare places.
GH
I had that one in mind - I imagine it was a fairly warm and windless day, he did seem to use more petrol than he really needed. :-)
Lots of info here on availability. It is very expensive (4 quid a litre)
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