Disposal of old gasoline

[DPAJR]

Hi All,

Every year I have some gas and gas mix left over at the end of summer. Usually it sits all winter and I use it in my various lawn equipment anyway. Various people have said the best way to get rid of it is just pour it in the gas tank. Will doing this mess up my vehicle? I am thinking about injectors and anti-pollution devices in particular.

Thanks
dpa66

 

[reidh]

Old gasoline loses its combustibility and can become contaminated with water, rust (especially if stored in a metal gas can).

This is an excerpt from the EPA:

To recondition gasoline, follow these basic instructions:

1. Work outdoors away from open flame and sources of heat or sparks. Do not smoke or wear contact lenses while working with gasoline.
2. Pour the old gasoline into a second container through a funnel lined with a coffee filter or two layers of a thin cloth to remove particles.
3. When the filter is dry, throw it in the trash.
4. Mix one part filtered gasoline with five parts new gasoline. You can pour the reconditioned gasoline directly into a tank of new gasoline that is at least three-quarters full.

To remove water from gasoline, follow these steps:

1. Pour the gasoline into a transparent jug. The water will settle to the bottom of the container, because water is heavier than gasoline.
2. Carefully pour off the gasoline into a gas can, leaving the water in the jug.
3. Pour the leftover water into a box lined with plastic and mix with an absorbent material such as sand or "kitty litter". Let the water dry and place the box, plastic, and sand in the trash. Do not pour the water down the sink, storm drain, or on the ground.

 

[patprimmer]

If it is 2 stroke mix, do not use it in a 2 stroke engine.

It should be OK used in a 4 stroke so long as it is well diluted with fresh petrol.

Water contamination has nothing to do with age, but depends on storage conditions, that is unless the petrol contains alcohol. Alcohol absorbs water. I am not sure, but I think that alcohol petrol blends seperate as the alcohol component absorbs water.

The main problems with old 2 stroke are loss of octane rating as the oil reacts with the petrol, and an increase in oil concentration as the lighter fractions evaporate off over time. For this reason, it is better to dilute the petrol in fresh petrol of slightly higher octane than required by the engine.

Regards

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