Stored petrol.

Topmast

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Hi everyone
Because of the number of petrol driven machines I have ,I always keep at least 5 gallons in hand as we never know when forest fires, power cuts etc. strike .so what is the best way to keep it in good condition. Thanks for any replies.
 
In truth if sealed 3/6 mths acording to the rac, but i have found the fuel losses its main fast explosive compounds after 6 weeks, esp e10.
It must be stored to top in a sealed container, any air gap will hold moisture which the fuel will absorb and sink to bottom.
Every year outboard dealers and lawnmower workshops get plaged with old fuel and white powder fill carbs, makes me a fortune mind you.
fuel a.jpg
 
Personally, I would store fuel in separate, smaller containers. Autumn/winter can cause moisture in say, a half full 5 gallon container, thus causing carburetor issues with your machines.
 
I store it often for over 12months at a time and never have a problem with it going off in a well sealed container. If you're not using your engine for months on end then drain the float bowl or turn the fuel off and run it dry if it doesn't have a drain screw. if no float bowl (not all carbs have them ) just run it dry.
 
Instead of buying expensive lawn mowers and strimmers, just pay a gardener twice a year to come round and cut/ tidy the place up.
Saves money storage and headackes, im thinking of going down this path soon. :unsure:
 
Must admit when I test drove the new boat I asked how old the fuel was. He told me well over a year but he'd never had any problems and it ran perfectly during the test drive.

I have refreshed it now though just to be sure but whether I had to or not I'll never know. In the past I've left petrol in my boats tanks over winter with no problems but from what I gather modern fuels are different.

I did find an old Coleman Stove a couple of years or so back and it still had petrol in it from 20 odd years ago. After I primed it it fired up and ran perfectly! :LOL:
 
It is 26 degrees here and this thread has just reminded me to open the shed door as it gets red hot in there. It pressurises the petrol container, so I loosen the cap briefly to drop the pressure and tighten it again.
 
Robmac said:
Must admit when I test drove the new boat I asked how old the fuel was. He told me well over a year but he'd never had any problems and it ran perfectly during the test drive.

I have refreshed it now though just to be sure but whether I had to or not I'll never know. In the past I've left petrol in my boats tanks over winter with no problems but from what I gather modern fuels are different.

I did find an old Coleman Stove a couple of years or so back and it still had petrol in it from 20 odd years ago. After I primed it it fired up and ran perfectly! :LOL:
Click to expand...
Yep the old petrol even smells differant Rob, i had a old container with some in it last year and after a sniff it was day and night.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies, I will see what is available locally.I don’t like keeping a lot off petrol stored but at first sniff of a forest fire I like to make sure everything is fueled up and ready for work. 40 degrees here again today.
 
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