Stale Fuel?

[MP_R33]

Hey guys,

I'm currently not daily driving my car, it sits in the garage trickle charging and I probably drive it once a fortnight and when winter comes it will probably be less.

My question is will I have problems with the fuel going stale? I filled up about 3 weeks ago and still have the same tank. How long before you start to have issues?

[Trex]

My friends housemate races quads, his was tuned on 98 and told me fuel would go stale within 2 weeks in a 20L drum.

His engine told him so.

Him giving me 40L of free fuel told me so.

[MP_R33]

That definitely doesn't sound right, there would be major problems if fuel went stale after a 2 weeks. It would have to be much longer than that surely

[Trex]

From what I've read, the smaller the amount the quicker it goes stale. But there are too many variables like, how old was the fuel when you first purchased it, is your talk sealed properly, was the cap opened at any point etc

I'm no expert, just going off what I've read online, and what I've been told. When you're given 40L of free fuel and you hear the story behind it you tent to agree.

Edited February 22, 2014 by Stagea97

[liger]

i'm in a similar situation. the current fuel in my V35 350GT has been in there since ~ 19th november last year. at the time i used a octane booster ( not really sure if they actually do anything or are just a waste of money), but i cant tell any knocking or signs that the fuel is too bad to run.

its deffinatly not as fresh as what it used to be tho

[Gts-t]

You can use an additive to prolong the life I forget what it's called but I'm pretty sure repco or bursons have it. It's red in colour

[PN-Mad]

6 months is about how long it would go before things start to change. As long as it's in an air tight, stable temp place.

Some premiums get shipped in bulk tankers from O/S. I think if the life span was two weeks, this would be a rather pointless exercise.

Two stroke stuff, I try not to keep the same mix for more than 3 months.

[YoLoBaCh]

i work a 3 on 1 off roster and find fuel in my daily (cammed ss ute) goes off and runs like shit until i get a fresh batch in, so now i aim to leave as little as possible in the car while i am away and get a fresh tank when i am back for my week.

although the fuel may be several months old by the time it enters our fuel tanks, O&G companies store their fuel specifically to avoid this i.e. most fuel storage has self leveling roofs (dictated by the level of fuel in the storage tank) to minimise the air in the storage. i am no expert but it is my understanding

Edited February 23, 2014 by janey babey

[Anfanee]

I only fill my GTR up to half whenever i drive it (1 time a week maybe)? and never let it dip much below 1/4.

Stale Fuel is what made me car go BANG about 15 or so months ago.

[sucram]

I used fuel that was over a year old end of last year. Took 3 deg out, was fine but down on power

[sonicz]

I guess it depends how anal the owner wants to be and what car the fuel is being run in. Shelf life on normal non ethanol fuel from what research I have done is about 6-12 months without any dramas.

I've used 95-98 octane fuel that has been over 3 years old without any problems in the past. No pinging or power loss and certainly no "BANG". I have a friend that goes overseas and he has a car that sits in a garage that at some point had 5 year old fuel in the tank. He just cranked it and drove.

That said, if you car is tuned to an inch of its life and detonation, I wouldn't want the few to change even a fraction of a %.

Though that 2 week story is a bit absurd IMO especially when you realise the fuel is not made to order for you at the petrol station pump.

[Gts-t]

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/STA-BIL-Fuel-Stabiliser-236mL.aspx?pid=223945#@cross

[Quigs]

Yeah I was told by A few fellow track guys with a good quality 98 you can have it in the tank for up to 3 months and after that it starts to go off

[R31Nismoid]

6 months is about how long it would go before things start to change. As long as it's in an air tight, stable temp place.

Some premiums get shipped in bulk tankers from O/S. I think if the life span was two weeks, this would be a rather pointless exercise.

Two stroke stuff, I try not to keep the same mix for more than 3 months.

This.

6 months is the approx shelf life when stored correctly. That's what Shell have always said. Never been able to find any information from the other companies as easily... So 2 weeks, unlikely.