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Old 17-04-2011, 13:28   #1
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Disposing of Old Gas (Petrol)

I switched tanks on the dink yesterday, but the fuel must have been sitting around too long because it killed the engine immediately. (That tank was filled last August.) We I got back to harbor this morning, and when I drained the carburetor and switched back to fresh fuel, the engine started immediately.

So now I've got a 3-gallon tank of fuel that the outboard--a Honda 8hp four-stroke--can't use.

I'm tempted to pour that fuel into my pickup truck in the hopes that once it dilutes with the fresher gas in that tank, it will run fine.

Is that a stupid idea? If so, how does an environmentally conscious cruiser get rid of three gallons of stale gas?
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Old 17-04-2011, 13:35   #2
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Re: Disposing of Old Gas (Petrol)

It's alright in the trucks tank as long as the ratio of good to bad is pretty high. I've disposed of it at a hazardous waste site in a couple of communities where I've lived.
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Old 17-04-2011, 13:38   #3
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Re: Disposing of Old Gas (Petrol)

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Originally Posted by Bash View Post
I switched tanks on the dink yesterday, but the fuel must have been sitting around too long because it killed the engine immediately. (That tank was filled last August.) We I got back to harbor this morning, and when I drained the carburetor and switched back to fresh fuel, the engine started immediately.

So now I've got a 3-gallon tank of fuel that the outboard--a Honda 8hp four-stroke--can't use.

I'm tempted to pour that fuel into my pickup truck in the hopes that once it dilutes with the fresher gas in that tank, it will run fine.

Is that a stupid idea? If so, how does an environmentally conscious cruiser get rid of three gallons of stale gas?
A couple of weeks ago, I dumped about 3 gallons of REALLY OLD gas (8 years?) into my 8 gallon gas tank on my '95 Geo Metro.
It ran fine.
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Old 17-04-2011, 13:41   #4
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Re: Disposing of old gas (petrol)

In CA this is a hazardous waste. Note, other states have exemptions for households. Try this link. Find Your Nearest Recycling Center. I wouldn't put it in my car; sure there is dilution, but it isn't cheap fixing cars either. I can't understand that reasoning.

You could ask a local recycler for an opinion (Evergreen Oil is a major recycler in the area) Re-Refined Oil Products And Hazardous Waste Disposal California Trusts From Evergreen Oil.

I work for a major used oil recycler, and we recycled 10s of thousands of gallons per day of gasoline mixed in with used oil. It is always present in used oil, in small amounts. However, we don't (by choice!) work in California.
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Old 17-04-2011, 13:44   #5
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Re: Disposing of Old Gas (Petrol)

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A couple of weeks ago, I dumped about 3 gallons of REALLY OLD gas (8 years?) into my 8 gallon gas tank on my '95 Geo Metro.
It ran fine.
I hear Geo Metros will run on wood
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Old 17-04-2011, 13:51   #6
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Re: Disposing of Old Gas (Petrol)

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I hear Geo Metros will run on wood
Never heard of wood being associated with a Geo
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Old 17-04-2011, 14:14   #7
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Re: Disposing of Old Gas (Petrol)

I put my leftover lawnmower gas in my truck every year with no problems. I would do it in the fall but I always seem to forget. It also makes a great weed killer. Works twice as long as Round Up, and a lot cheaper, or so I've heard.
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Old 17-04-2011, 15:07   #8
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Re: Disposing of Old Gas (Petrol)

My Geo gets about 20,000 miles per cord.

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Old 17-04-2011, 15:46   #9
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Re: Disposing of Old Gas (Petrol)

It's too late now, but I use Sta-Bil and have always had good results. I always put it in the dinghy tank before I fill up on gas so that there is always Sta-Bil in my dinghy motor. Do the same on my motorcycle. I have used gas that is six months or more old that has been treated with Sta-Bil and have never had a problem.
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Old 17-04-2011, 15:58   #10
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Re: Disposing of Old Gas (Petrol)

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My Geo gets about 20,000 miles per cord.

There is an ol guy in my neighborhood who drives a green Geo. I noticed that I was missing some wood the other day, I thought it was my Dad but now I know where it went! Into a Geo!

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Old 17-04-2011, 18:07   #11
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Re: Disposing of Old Gas (Petrol)

With gas at $4 and up, it's not surprising how many come out of the woodwork.
I did a 80 mile round trip yesterday on the island and counted about a dozen of them.
The newest ones are 11 years old!
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