Why does old gasoline turn green?

Question

I pulled some carburetors off an old 1981 yamaha thats been sitting forever. The gas that leaked out of them was compleatly green! I'm very interested to know what would cause this and haven't been able to find anything online.

I pulled some carburetors off an old 1981 yamaha thats been sitting forever. The gas that leaked out of them was compleatly green! I'm very interested to know what would cause this and haven't been able to find anything online. This bike is air cooled so it is NOT coolant.

Answer 1

That's what happens to gasoline when it deteriorates.
First the lighter chemicals evaporate - leaving behind a less volatile mixture.
Next comes oxidation - some of the hydrocarbons in the fuel react with oxygen to produce new compounds.
The gasoline will give off a foul odor, the color will get darker (clear, gold, tan, green) and the new compounds will join together, to form particles of gum (hence the phrase - my carburetors are gummed up).
As the oxidation and evaporation process continues, eventually the only thing left will be dry, green, gunk.
All the liquid has evaporated.
The newly formed compounds have rusted away.
It looks green, cause some compounds turn green when they get rusty (oxidize) - copper for one.
The Statue of Liberty is made of copper. That's why it's green in color. Place a penny in a glass of water for a few weeks to see it get rusty and turn green.

Answer 2

2 possible reasons, one depending on if this was a 2 cycle engine it could have been the 2 cycle oil that was mixed with the gas that gave it it's color and 2, allot of different manufactures put different dyes in there additive package. all gasoline is semi-clear with a yellow/brown tinge to it when it comes from the refinery, I have seen gasoline that has been blue, green, red, pink, yellow, and purple.

Answer 3

seems like a coolant is mixing in