Hello everyone. My name is David Whitelaw. I am neww to this board and have enjoyed reading many of the posts. I have a question. how long will untreated gasoline keep? Thankyou for your time and trouble with helping me.

-- David Whitelaw (dande53484@aol.com), January 22, 2000

Answers

It'll keep as long as six months or longer, but you can squeeze more than two years storage out of it if you use a stabilizer (Sta-Bil, etc) and store it in metal, airtight cans.

Also, if you're going to buy gas for storage, get it during the winter. Winter gas has more butane in it which aids in starting, plus contributes to longer storage times.

-- Powder (Powder47keg@aol.com), January 22, 2000.

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.

-- David Whitelaw (dande53484@aol.com), January 22, 2000.

--there is an even better product than sta-bil, it's called PRI it comes for gas PRI-G and diesel PRI-D. Treats more gallons for the buck, and works better. Do web search for that stuff, lot of dealers out there.

--gas likes to be kept cool, out of the sun and heat. Try to store in exterior building, away from home. Leave a small space at the top of the can for expansion. Always set the can on the ground at the station when filling it, don't leave it in the trunk or back of pickup. Static spark danger that way. Make sure if using a commercial made hand pump or siphon that it is approved for flammable liquids. When opening can that has been stored for awhile, always open the little vent cap first, and make sure the vent is aimed away from you, and no heat source or spark, etc nearby. Use CLEAN funnels or spouts when transferring gas, and cheap throw away gloves are NICE. Funnels with built in filters are available. Engines and fuel injectors and carbs do NOT like dirt or water.

--besides that, happy buying cheap this week, next few weeks look like a nice rise in prices coming, doesn't it?

-- zog (zzoggy@yahoo.com), January 22, 2000.

I have stored untreated reg unleaded gas for 3 years and it still worked - but very poorly. I have since used stabil, and have learned that the higher the octane, and as others have stated, the cooler it is kept the longer it will last. So, if you take stabil or similar and treat a high octane premium or avgas and keep it cool you can easily get three years out of it with little or no degrading. Another trick is to take octane booster, such as what STP makes, and use it to revitalize old gas - sometimes this makes old gas work better. However, old gas that was allowed to deteriorate from the beginning is very hard on fuel injection systems.

As we all know, storing gasoline is dangerous. It is so easy for unintentional fires or explosions to happen causing death, personal injury and property damage - then the criminal charges and civil suits that follow. Is it worth it? If you think it is, dont store it inside a building in cans or drums as these containers need venting to accommodate temperature changes. The venting allows gasoline fumes out of the container and will likely accumulate in the building, thus mixing with the right amount of oxygen for a nice explosion. Also, using containers never intended for gasoline have been known to leak which obviously sets you up for a great bon fire. Then what was the container previously used for that will negatively react with the gasoline to either degrade the gasoline or make it into something more dangerous? DANGEROUS is the key word when storing gasoline. I do not recommend it.

But, if you really think you want to, there is one method is some consider safe, and another method provided for informational purposes only, keep in mind, any gasoline you store can be very dangerous:

1. Buy approved and professionally installed above or below ground tanks that are designed for gasoline storage. Be certain the company doing the work complies with all local codes and federal regs.

2. This method is given for ENTERTAINMENT purposes only, it is not intended as a suggestion for anyone to try and store gasoline in a manner as DANGEROUS and probably illegal as this. Store gasoline in 20 or 30 gallon metal drums previously used for motor oil. Rinse the drums with gasoline. Place each drum inside of a open top 55 gallon metal drum that has been perforated by drilling 3/8 to 1/2 inch holes equally spaced all over it - a total of about 25 holes is sufficient - do not drill holes in the lid. Fill the 20 or 30 gallon drum to within 4 inches of the top and put a vented plug into the fill hole. Now take some decorative rock or other clean gravel product and place around the gasoline barrel and on top of it within the 55 gallon barrel. Fill the 55 gallon barrel to the top with the rock. Put the lid on the 55 gallon barrel and secure with the locking ring. Write on the barrel in plain easy to read letters "decorative rock". Be certain the barrel is located in a shady area to keep it cool, yet accessible to the wind for ventilation purposes. If anyone happens to notice this, they will look into the holes and see that yes, rock is indeed stored in the barrel. If they try to move the barrel it will be very heavy as though it is actually filled only with rock. If they go to the extreme of removing the lid, they will see rock. All of the holes provides ventilation as the primary purpose, and inspection holes for nosy people. Should someone remove the lid there should be little or no gasoline odor. What is nice here is that gasoline can be stored without anyone else ever realizing it, even if they go looking for gasoline. What is not good here is that this method will be a fire/explosion hazard should the barrel come in contact with flame or fire - or if improperly vented sparks will ignite it. Filling the drum is dangerous as any spark or other source of ignition will set it off. Later pumping the gas out presents additional fire/explosion opportunities. This is still DANGEROUS - DONT DO IT!.

-- 3cubed3 (3c3xx@hotmail.com), January 22, 2000.

Look in here......

Http://www.rjkpower.com/

-- Tommy Rogers (Been there@Just a Thought.com), January 22, 2000.

Gasoline Storage http://www.4unique.com/fuel/storage.htm

David, Hi and welcome to TB 2000.

I am not affiliated with the following firm but it is thorough info.

Gasoline, Diesel Storage and Restoration There is a lot of talk about long term fuel storage. There are many situations where fuel storage and restoration need to considered, like when equipment is put into storage more than a couple weeks, such as RV's, motorcycles, boats, classic cars, etc.

I am often asked about gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel storage. Who am I? See www.4unique.com/tips.htm#philosophy. I decided to put the info I know on the net. Some information on the net is wrong and others are old. One document on fuel storage dates back to the 80's and fuels have had many major changes due to the environment over the past 2 decades.

Most folks just want to know the basics; the fuels we buy are made for seasons and regions. Both gas and diesel fuels are blended for the ambient temperatures of the area where we purchase our fuels; for instance, the winter time fuel needs are quite different in Tampa, Florida as compared to Minot, North Dakota. If you store fuel purchased in the summer you may experience wintertime operation problems. In the case of diesel the fuel may cloud or gel. In the case of gasoline, the gas may not vaporize well and cause starting problems. If you are storing fuel in a boat, RV, generator, tractor, auto, etc., it is best to leave the fuel tank full and a commercial grade fuel stabilizer is used prior to equipment storage.

Today over 30% of gasolines sold are oxygenated and these gasolines do not store as well as non-oxygenated gasolines. If you have a choice, pick gas without MTBE or ETBE additives.

There is no advantage to using higher octane gasolines, in fact, high octane gas can be a disadvantage in many newer design engines and engines operating with a governed speed such as a generator. You should use what your operator's manual says.

Kerosene is what is added to diesel fuel for sub zero wintertime use, at the truck stop they call it #1 diesel fuel. I suggest that Kerosene be treated as diesel fuel using PRI-D Fuel Treatment when storing and preventing algae growth. When storing diesel fuels and gas in barrels, tanks and other types of containers, here are some tips. Keep in a cool area and avoid wide temperature swings. Keep free of water and harmful metals. If you are storing in plastic type containers be sure these containers can handle fuel. Be sure the tanks are clean.

To keep fuel free of water avoid contact with the ground (in above ground tanks) and underground tanks set in soil and rock for improved underground water drainage.

Wide temperature swings can be avoided by placing tanks in shade or painting with reflective paint. Metals such as copper and galvanized/zinc should not be used in fuel storage. If you use plastic, fiberglass or other epoxy composition tanks be sure they will stand up under the long-term hydrocarbon contact, most do. When a large fuel tank is exposed to wide temperature swings, it should have a 2-way check valve to relieve pressure and vacuum. Most fuels produce microorganisms when water begins to collect in fuel, commonly called algae; this stuff can be a real problem. The fuel contamination plugs filters and causes fuel system corrosion. Biocides have been developed to kill and prevent algae, bacteria, and fungus in fuels. When using fuels that have been in long term storage, dont pump from the very bottom of the tank and filter the fuel.

There are a lot of variables that effect fuel storage. In general the use of a commercial grade fuel stabilizer on an annual basic will extend the useful life of fuels for an extra year. This annual procedure can be repeated between 5 and 10 times, thus giving fuel between 5 and 10 years of storage life.

Now comes the self-serving part. 4Unique.com sells commercial grade fuel treatments and additives. PRI Treatments Preserve & Restore Fuel Freshness PRI-G for gasoline and PRI-D for diesel, kerosene and home heating oil extends fuel storage life for all fuels. PRI recommends that for long-long storage, all fuels be re-treated annually at normal dosage rate to ensure maximum freshness and performance. While laboratory tests show that PRI chemistry can preserve fuel freshness with just one treatment for 5 to 10 years, the length of fuel preservation is affected by original condition of the fuel and storage conditions. For maximum protection, follow the suggested re- treatment regimen.

PRI Fuel Treatments are capable of restoring and rejuvenating old fuels. PRI must be blended (shaken, stirred, or recirculated) and left several minutes to several hours to restore fuel quality. In most cases the fuel will recover to engine manufacturers fuel specification. For large amounts older fuels call us about PRI-Plus a special formula for stubborn fuels.

I want you to be aware that all manufactures recommend the use of fuel stabilizers to protect fuel quality. Yes, I mean Ford, GM, Cat, Detroit, Cummins, Merc.marine, Briggs & Stratton, etc. Folks run out and buy highly advertised, over priced, fuel products that may or may not work. Come to the Unique Maintenance Products home page to learn more. We sell products that work and have a proven track record.

Check us out at www.4unique.com or e-mail me andy@4unique.com. 1-800- 362-5397 Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm PST.

-- Bill P (porterwn@one.net), January 22, 2000.