How long does petrol keep

[kevin63]

I have found some petrol in a container from about a year and a half ago and just was thinking if it was still ok to use after all this time.

[stringbag]

You get aglae growing in it unless you have an inhibitor in it (which is unlikely - aviation fuel has it in as a matter of course, but not car fuel), which will block up your filter, so best not to use it in your P&J.
Do you have a lawnmower or something else you can use it in? at least if that stops working you aren't far from home!

[kevin63]

Not quite a lawnmover but i have a Smart car, have had it called a few things but not that.

[Podie]

If it has sat that long, then I'd look to dispose of it in the appropriate manner. Some fuels seem to "separate" from what I have been told - OptiMax being particularly affected...

[plfrench]

They have a tendancy to absorb moisture as well even though "sealed" in a petrol can. Not really worth risking it for only a few squids worth...

Paul.

[Munter]

As I understood it you can mix it with new petrol and it'll burn ok if you use it quickly, otherwise it'll just infect the "new". I think the mixture was 1.5 liters new to 1 liter old.

[2Munkys]

How big is this container you've come across Kev'?

I don't think I'd take the risk of using it. Even within the instructions of my petrol engined strimmer, it made specific mention of running the petroil tank dry if it wasn't to be used again in a reasonable time. I reckon, as others have already mentioned, petrol will lose some of its properties over time, even if stored correctly.

Bonfire nights just around the corner, save it 'til then and impress the neighbours with some imaginative incandescence.

[kevin63]

Good idea with the bonfire, i will not use it i any of my cars now after what i have seen on here. Thanks

[davetherave1970]

Keep it another year and it'll be worth more than gold!!

These are doing the rounds: -










>> Edited by davetherave1970 on Tuesday 13th September 15:39

[petros]

Not very long when it's in my petrol tank

[blue 4.5]

Does that mean that if you leave petrol in your car for a month, it might have gone off? Is it the case you leave as little in as possible, and then fill up when in use again, or as its sealed its OK?

[Rower]

kevin63 said:

Good idea with the bonfire, i will not use it i any of my cars now after what i have seen on here. Thanks

I am sure you are only joking about putting it on a bonfire...............I did it one wet November before setting it alight..............still have nightmares about it !


Guy

[2Munkys]

Rower said:

kevin63 said: Good idea with the bonfire, i will not use it i any of my cars now after what i have seen on here. Thanks I am sure you are only joking about putting it on a bonfire...............I did it one wet November before setting it alight..............still have nightmares about it ! Guy

Just checked your profile: phew! Not Mr Fawkes then

[Rower]

2Munkys said:

Rower said: kevin63 said: Good idea with the bonfire, i will not use it i any of my cars now after what i have seen on here. Thanks I am sure you are only joking about putting it on a bonfire...............I did it one wet November before setting it alight..............still have nightmares about it ! Guy Just checked your profile: phew! Not Mr Fawkes then

[civicboy28]

we had a long talks about this with regard to karting. a friend spoke to shell and this is their reply.
Bear in mind we use 2stroke mix.. but its still petrol


Susan is off today, and we have had a reply from our fuel expert with regards to your query. This is what he has had to say:

"On the storage of the fuel provided it is stored appropriately, this should be able to be kept 2 yrs. However in tank it will go off faster, and 6 month is the max we would suggest.

Please see techincal datasheet on this.

On the specifics on two stroke engines in winter/ there is no reason to change to ULG 95 in winter, Optimax will give maximum performance all year round.

On mixing it with Racing X: provided this mixture is stored properly, it should be OK for 2 years as well. In the tank we would not recomend leaving it more that 6 months. THis means that the fuel will remain fuel for purpose, but it the customer wants optimal performance, and the relavitve proportions int he mixture are important, it is important to not that the lighter components in gasoline will evaporate over time. It is therefore recommended to store the fuel in containers rather than in tank."

I haver attached a copy of the storage and good housekeeping data sheet for petroleum fuels. You will notice however that the details contradict somewhat what has been said above. The data sheet details are conservative estimates.

I hope this helps and answers your query. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

<<Storage & Housekeeping.doc>>

Regards

Alyson Yates
Business and Technical Assistant
Shell U.K. Oil Products Limited
Rowlandsway House, Rowlandsway, Manchester M22 5SB, United Kingdom

[kevin63]

Thanks Andrew
That has answered my question and more, brilliant.