Storing fuel - gasoline and such

[ShootDontTalk]

See, this is why I love this place - this is exactly the kind of useful info I was hoping to learn about :)

I was disappointed. I was hoping the discussion might turn to what else might be stored in two five gallon cans besides gasoline or drinking water for times when the world crumbles. Like whis....er.....uhmm....never mind.

[PUCKER]

That would make for an interesting topic - how to make whis.... er, moons.... er, medicinal alcohol... for fun and profit during the zombie apocalypse :)

We could call it "Uncle Andy's Zombie Tonic Cureall"...just saying...

BTW - back to the gas subject...a racing buddy of mine just bought 330 gallons of Sunoco 110 octane race fuel in 55 gallon drums...guess he's getting ready for the "Zombie Apocalypse 2,000 - sponsored by Z-MAX Bullets" LOL!

[rdcrags]

I reported this once when it was on-topic Ran the generator dry and left for 2 months. Upon return, added gasoline and tried for a week to start it. Was on a one week waiting list with a lawnmower shop to come pick it and do something with. It started one day before they were to pick it up. Next time I left for 2 months, I left the fuel in it with stabilizer. Upon return, it started on second pull. I won't run it dry anymore.

[puma guy]

I reported this once when it was on-topic Ran the generator dry and left for 2 months. Upon return, added gasoline and tried for a week to start it. Was on a one week waiting list with a lawnmower shop to come pick it and do something with. It started one day before they were to pick it up. Next time I left for 2 months, I left the fuel in it with stabilizer. Upon return, it started on second pull. I won't run it dry anymore.

Yep! Float valve gets stuck. You probably jarred it enough while trying to start it to let a little fuel seep by to loosen it up slowly.

[wil]

See, this is why I love this place - this is exactly the kind of useful info I was hoping to learn about :)

I definitely plan on rotating the gas into my tank after 6 months and getting fresh, by the way - I'm not expecting it to sit there for 2 years and still be good, so it's interesting learning from the experiences of others.

I wasn't expecting what I found in the generator to be viable, especially after that amount of time. I figured it'd be varnish at that point but took a sniff of the fuel & "I'll be danged, that smells ok. What the heck, if it's bad I have to clean the carb anyways, lets see if it'll run" Ran the full tank through it without a hitch.
I would'nt normally try to store fuel for 2 years outdoors & expect it to be still usable, give that a 'maybe' at best but I wouldn't make it a practise. A year with preservative outdoors? I have that on the gas in the back yard right now & it's doing fine.
If the chainsaws aren't complaining, then it's usable. Especially in the truck, you've seen my truck, it doesn't care whats in the tank so long as it'll support normal combustion.

In an environment such as a garage or a dedicated storage where the climate doesn't have as much 'access' to the fuel, it'll hold up a long while. If I was facing an extreme situation, such as having to try to store it for 2 years, I'd likely double the suggested dosage & also make for dedicated storage conditions.