Does Gasoline Go Stale?

Question

I have some gas (likely premium octane) that I did not use for the lawn mower last fall. My mower is so persnickety that I dare not use the old gas in the mower. What can I do with the leftover gas? Can I put it in my car, or will it hurt the engine. It was stored in one of those red plastic gas cans in my garage in the northeast. thanks

OK, now I'm more confused, so many yes and so many no answers. Here are more details. its probably a gallon at most. it has been in my garage for probably 8 -9 months. I have a car that requires high test gas. If I throw it out, which would be great, how do you dispose of gasoline? Can't just pour it down the drain. This isn't about saving money. I would get rid of it if I knew how to. I don't hink my town would appreciate me making a bonfire.

Answer 1

Your gas is not that old and just pour it into your auto and what ever you do DO-NOT use 90+ octane on any of your home power items...gas trimmer/edger, chainsaw, tiller or lawn mower. These little motors are not high compression high performance engines that require premium gas. The high octane premium gas will do more harm to the motor then 6 month old gas.

Gas does go bad so, if your mower will sit for more then a month use an additive like sta-bil.

Answer 2

GAS GOES BAD. Ask any motorcycle owner.

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Over the period of few months gasoline can become thick and stick (varnish). Really ask any motorcycle owner. When they store the motorcycle for the winter they have to use fuel stabilizer. That's just for the winter (few months).

If you decide to use it for your car, use very little bit of it at every tank (1 gallon or less per tank of clean new gas). But you are risking a lot to save few dollars worth of gas.

Car engine = $2,000 to$ 6,000
1 gal gas = $3.50

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I can't disagree with the post above. I don't know what he is advice but he is completely wrong. Six month gas is REALLY old. High octane rated gas CANNOT damage any engine (small or big). High octane gas is HIGHER grade to resist knocking. PERIOD. It is not a different type of gas. They do not create more powerful burn, etc.

He writes that 6 month gas is not old but then writes that if the gas is going to sit more than a month use a stabilizer. What?

He is correct about using the stabilizer.
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Answer 3

Stale Gas

Answer 4

How many gallons? I don't think it would hurt a car. The gas will still ignite and you will be diluting it with a large amount of gasoline that is already in the tank.

The gumming up happens when you leave gas in the lawn mower without draining it out before the winter and running the engine until the carb is dry.

That happened to my weed wacker and I put in a small amount of the STP shown below and it cleaned out the gunk in the carb and allowed it to idle and run smoothly. It raises the octane so you have to be very careful how much you use in a small engine. In a car it doesn't matter.

It is made of Jet Fuel so you could pour it into the old gasoline in the red can and give it a shake before pouring it into the car. It would bring up the quality of the gas in the can.

Answer 5

Add an ever so tiny amount to your good gasoline every time you refill a gas powered device, including an automobile at maybe only 2% maximum. Maybe try up to 5% stale gas, 95% fresh in a lawn mower. I try to use only electric devices these days. Electric chainsaws are a lot more hassle-free for me than the old 2-stroke one is.

Answer 6

If your fuel can (5 gal. or less) had a sealed vent and cover it wouldn't hurt to add it to your car if the tank was at least 2/3 full.
Please read the description of the octane rating for your lawn mowing equipment and use accordingly.

Newer expensive high performance Husqvarna, Stihl, and Echo 2 cycle engines call for a minimum of 89 octane fuel. The higher octane gas prevents detonation and heat. These brands call for a premium 50.1 mix oil that contains fuel stabilizers to keep the fuel from gumming up the delicate non- adjustable carburetors.

Tecumseh offers a pre-packaged granular fuel stabilizer to be used year round in their 4-cycle motors.

Answer 7

Yes fuel gets stale most lawn mowers can use regular my honda 6.5 hp wants mid grade 89 octane. I would dispose of the old gas if still clean in your car a gallon at a time nearly full car tank. I try to have just enough fuel in my airtight cans for the summer and fall. STA-BIL is great if you should have 1 or two gallons you need for the Show blower. We never need show blowers here in Texas.

Answer 8

Absolutely gas goes bad! When gas goes bad it loses its octane rating. Imagine puting 60 octane in your car. It would knock, and blow gaskets, and even worse. Stale gas is stale gas. Throw it away.

Answer 9

Throw it out. The couple of bucks saved by using it aren't worth the expense of gumming up whatever else you put it in. Yes, it does go bad; it begins to break down into something that leaves residue in the form of 'varnish' in your fuel system which results in the necessity for costly cleaning service.

Answer 10

Yes, under the right conditions and time it will weaken considerably, and have a varnish smell. But not over winter.Pour the gas in your car's tank.
Unless you made 2 cycle fuel out of it, you won't even notice.