Why waste money on Stabil if five year old gas still works???

[sugarwood]

First crank of the starter, no luck. Second crank and longer, still no luck. Third try, the engine started and stall. Fourth attempt, the engine roar to life and rev high and loud to 1200 rpm! I was surprised with gasoline more than 5 years old and with light brown in color could still make the engine run.

I saw this posted in another thread. How long does gas actually last? I've been led to believe that it will go bad in one winter. Typical internet forum mythology? Why do people waste money on Stabil if a car can start on five year old gas?

[john walker's workshop]

I have some 20yo gas. Should I try it?

[juanbenae]

not CA fuel.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

I saw this posted in another thread. How long does gas actually last? I've been led to believe that it will go bad in one winter. Typical internet forum mythology? Why do people waste money on Stabil if a car can start on five year old gas?

It depends on the gas formulation, the octane, the level of contamination, the storage temp, the humidity, and the storage vessel. It's still a free country so use what you want. I have had both good luck and bad luck with old gas. Roll the dice.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

I saw this posted in another thread. How long does gas actually last? I've been led to believe that it will go bad in one winter. Typical internet forum mythology? Why do people waste money on Stabil if a car can start on five year old gas?

How did you know that the poster did not use “gas stabilizer”? All it said was the gasoline was more than 5 years old. You are assuming that the gasoline was not treated.

Tony

[porsche930dude]

my brothers gti has been in storage for 6 years he starts it every 6 months or so and it runs fine on the old gas. It was getting pretty low so he recently added more. Just cheap gas 10% ethenol . I think its because its a pretty sealed system and doesnt evaporate or collect moisture. Also have pretty old gas in my 914 but it evaporates off I think so i have to add some every few years. Also the gas can certainly go bad in one winter. Like in a lawnmower. The little bit thats in the carb bowl will gel up and seperate and clog the system. but the gas in the tank is still good. Thats the main reason why old cars dont like ethenol. Their tanks and carbs are vented to air.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by porsche930dude

my brothers gti has been in storage for 6 years he starts it every 6 months or so and it runs fine on the old gas

Ok so it now looks like the life span
is as high as SIX YEARS.

Wow

[AG81]

So many factors. Heat, moisture, O2...... how it was stored. 6 years maybe, but not under any conditions in MY world. A year is a decent rule of thumb with no stabilizer. If your car has carbs good luck with year old gas and your gaskets and jets.

[Lewinlucien]

Wonder why no one has mentioned ethanol free gas!


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[Lewinlucien]

Originally Posted by Lewinlucien

Wonder why no one has mentioned ethanol free gas!


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Based on the research I’ve seen On line And my experience using ethanol free gas in my mower, tractor, Porsche, outboard motors etc., they all run better on ethanol free gas. Further, all of the mechanics and I have spoken to who work on older cars, outboard motors, chainsaws, mowers etc. recommend ethanol free gas as the ethanol will damage seals, gaskets, rubber parts.


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[Snitzler]

How expensive is a few litres of gas? What if the gas is crap and you gum up everything? Why take the chance? Unscrew that plug and drain the old stuff and replace it with new gas. Easy

[kltarga72]

I have been restoring old cars domestic and foreign since the early 70's. When I see a thread about old gas and ethanol I wonder why anyone who has owned an older auto pre 1990 would ever use ethanol gas. This topic about the pitfalls of using ethanol gas has been in every car magazine for twenty plus years. You might occasionally be forced to use ethanol gas when non-ethanol is unavailable but most would make sure that it is out of the tank before storing auto.
Google ethanol gas, you can learn something.
Or see URL

https://blog.raleighclassic.com/is-it-safe-to-use-ethanol-in-my-older-engine/#:~:text=That%20all%20depends%20on%20your,alcohol% 2Dresistant%20seals%20and%20hoses.

[911 SLANT]

Who makes non-ethenol gas? I've been using Chevron Supreme

[911obgyn]

Not available in California Except at airports, and perhaps race gas at very few stations, for off road use only.

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Why do people waste money on Stabil if a car can start on five year old gas?

Because ruined fuel lines, carbs or injection cost a lot more than a jug of Sta-Bil.

[911 SLANT]

Should I run Stab-Bil in every tank of gas?

[Ralph3.]

https://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=WA

[kltarga72]

Well I learned something, I googled non-ethanol gas in California and here is another strike against living in CA.

People also ask
Can you buy ethanol free gas in California?
No, California is mandated by CARR to have oxygenated fuel and the only approved additive is ethanol. You cannot buy gas in CA without it.Jan 28, 2020

[911 SLANT]

I google it also and it says my Arco station a block from my house has non-ethenol. I will have to check. Seems to good to be true.

[LJ851]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

I saw this posted in another thread. How long does gas actually last? I've been led to believe that it will go bad in one winter. Typical internet forum mythology? Why do people waste money on Stabil if a car can start on five year old gas?

Sure it can “run” but one consequence is stuck valves , bent pushrods and worse.

The burnability of the fuel is generally the least of your concerns with a carbureted vehicle, 5 years of sitting typically makes a mess of your carb, tank and fuel lines, especially with the ethanol added fuel of today.