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[JohnM]

I've been tasked to ask the 'clever people' here some simple questions.
No tricks, even off topic unless I stick it in the Omega.

Ordinary unleaded petrol - well some is (some is 'smoked' ready for use).
Stored in plastic can, sealled (as best it is).  Now some 2 years old.  Kept in the garage.

Is it usable, does it really go off, what happens - does it breakdown, turn itself into 90 ron.  Will it do any harm.

Will it run the 2 stroke outboard if it isn't any good on its own.  If not, should I stick it in the megga (diluted with Shell's ordinary) or in jars and use it for cleaning fluid.

Does the other can go off less if already mixed with 2 smoke oil - will the oil/petrol have seperated beyond a shake.

[TheBoy]

I've been tasked to ask the 'clever people' here some simple questions.
No tricks, even off topic unless I stick it in the Omega.

Ordinary unleaded petrol - well some is (some is 'smoked' ready for use).
Stored in plastic can, sealled (as best it is).  Now some 2 years old.  Kept in the garage.

Is it usable, does it really go off, what happens - does it breakdown, turn itself into 90 ron.  Will it do any harm.

Will it run the 2 stroke outboard if it isn't any good on its own.  If not, should I stick it in the megga (diluted with Shell's ordinary) or in jars and use it for cleaning fluid.

Does the other can go off less if already mixed with 2 smoke oil - will the oil/petrol have seperated beyond a shake.

I know it can start to jellify...

[JohnM]

Now that *sounds* bad.

[Danny]

if in any sort of doubt there is only one decent solution

sell it to some 17 year old chav with a clapped out metro, and spend the money on nice petrol for your outboard

[TheBoy]

I tend to have issues with lawnmower if I forget to empty petrol over winter.  Can be a bugger to start and keep running until the petrol is all gone...

[tunnie]

I tend to have issues with lawnmower if I forget to empty petrol over winter.  Can be a bugger to start and keep running until the petrol is all gone...

Our petrol Flymo was a pain to start this year, turned out to be a wet plug, but it ran very, very, VERY smokey for about 10 mins, god knows what pollution it caused!  

I would only use old petrol in the clapped out mower, nothing else  

[Kevin Wood]

If it doesn't smell too bad I think the best way to get shot of it would be to add it to a car with an already almost full tank. It shouldn't do any harm when well diluted. It may well cause problems if used undiluted.

Kevin

[theolodian]

If it still looks clear, put it in a banger and top off with 3x fresh.  Best way to get rid of it.  Small engines are actually far more sensitive, and a PITA to get sorted out when they don't run right.

If you plan to store fuel for more than a few months use a fuel stabiliser additive and a little fresh to mix it in.  If a vehicle gets water in the fuel use a special additive or some alcohol (isopropyl IIRC).  If it has sat for months but not years and you can't fit much fresh in use an octane booster and then add what fresh you can.

When using additives idle the engine for several minutes to get the additive into the fuel lines.

Also be mindful that fuel system cleaners reduce the octane, so you want to run super premium or octane boost with them.

[Big Rod]

I had nearly a tankful of BP Ultimate in plastic containers in my garage for about a year.

Decided to get rid of it on a trip to Nottingham.

Normally a tankful will get me there, but I had to fill up at Stoke.

Basically I lost about 17% of my fuel 'economy'. In other words, I only got 250 miles from the tank rather than 300+

Ran fine though.

[Tony H]

I'd stick it in the lawnmover worst case sinario, if it breaks down long grass.Stick it in the outboard and if you go out to sea in the boat and it breaks down could end up in a life threatening situation

[DaveL]

Hi John,

The simple answer is yes. I have had problems starting my classic cars after they have stood for the winter. There is an additive you can add to the petrol that you can get from a firm called 'FROST'.

I would go down the route that many have already said on here to use or abuse in a fashion that will not damage your Omega. i simply use 'off' petrol for starting really big fires and anoying the neighbours.

What ever you decide use it safely.
 8-)
DaveL

[Taxi_Driver]

i simply use 'off' petrol for starting really big fires and anoying the neighbours.

What ever you decide use it safely.
 8-)
DaveL

So did I until last summer, when i decided the bonfire wasnt going as well as it should.  

After about 4 weeks and 4 trips to casualty (for redressing).....my hand healed nicely  

[Dave-C]

I had nearly a tankful of BP Ultimate in plastic containers in my garage for about a year.

Decided to get rid of it on a trip to Nottingham.

Normally a tankful will get me there, but I had to fill up at Stoke.


.

Strange this!  I seem to always have to fill up in Stoke!  It could be because I live there maybe!!!!

Apart from a crap sense of humour, I recall some years ago, removing a petrol tank on a VW aircooled to do some welding...  in the bottom of the bucket there was, as TB says, a jellyfied clear gunge... Frog Spawn without the pips

Possibly due to it being 2 star and already a low octane.....

DC

[JohnM]

All good stuff, and noted.

I 'decanted' it last night (I really do dislike the stink of petrol).  Well it all looked okay (when put in glass), the neat fuel was clear and smelt (no, stank) of petrol (as it should).  The 'oiled' fuel looked okay too but the oil does make it look yellow anyway.

Decided I'll start her up on fresh (today's special) - must remember to oil it.

When up and running (if it does!) then I'll try some of the old mixes when I know it running right.

- No sea voyages (I am, as the advert says, barred but that's a different story)

- Yes it does burn, I spilt a bit (well ...) and thought I'd burn a smidge off, might even have taken some moss growth with it.  Error #1 (but no injuries).

[TheBoy]

Old petrol is great for killing ants nests - pour it in, give it about 30s, throw a match and watch them cook.

I have a rather worrying fascination with fire apparently...

[Martin_1962]

Old petrol is great for killing ants nests - pour it in, give it about 30s, throw a match and watch them cook.

I have a rather worrying fascination with fire apparently...

And sledgehammers

Be worried - be very worried

[TheBoy]

Old petrol is great for killing ants nests - pour it in, give it about 30s, throw a match and watch them cook.

I have a rather worrying fascination with fire apparently...

And sledgehammers

Be worried - be very worried

[smiley=evil.gif]

[Dave-C]

Old petrol is great for killing ants nests - pour it in, give it about 30s, throw a match and watch them cook.

I have a rather worrying fascination with fire apparently...

You and me both, did that with the ants once...  I look strange with Ginger eyebrows