Quote:
Originally Posted by LubeMaster77
You best throw some fuel stabilizer in if you are planning on storing it. Gasoline and Diesel oxidize pretty quickly. Fill it up to the top when it is the warmest - any air will have moisture and that will aid in the oxidation. Don't be surprised if you get bacteria or fungus growing if you store diesel. It is very common and will ruin your stash.
These problems are occurring now more than ever due to the new fuel regs and refining processes.
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There are three basic steps to refining. Distillation, cracking/reforming, and purification by stripping (i.e. removal of sulfur).
Distillation is the process of separation by boiling point.
Cracking or reforming means modifying or changing the actual chemical hydrocarbon chain.
Reforming uses catalyst and excess hydrogen to change the hydrocarbon physical properties.
Reformed gasoline deteriorates quickly as it gives off the excess hydrogen that was forced to bond with.
In warm climates you can expect to lose up to 1 octane point per month, even with stabilizers which reduce the oxidation and formation of varnish but do little to protect against breakdown of reformed gasoline.