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kylesmail333 Rookie Author Akron Posts:16 Points:10,220 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 10:56:59 AM Ignore kylesmail333 Report Abuse If someone left a gas can outside in the heat back in August and it is still sitting outside and its November, is the gas still safe to use in a vehicle or will it hurt your engine? Basically does the change in temperature effect the gasoline to render it "bad" for use in a car?

kylesmail333

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Akron

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Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 10:56:59 AM

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If someone left a gas can outside in the heat back in August and it is still sitting outside and its November, is the gas still safe to use in a vehicle or will it hurt your engine? Basically does the change in temperature effect the gasoline to render it "bad" for use in a car?

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kiatoindos Veteran Author Chicago Posts:410 Points:80,155 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: May 13, 2013 1:04:53 PM Ignore kiatoindos Report Abuse Sta-bil
PithyOpiner Champion Author Stockton Posts:16,200 Points:1,596,570 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: May 13, 2013 12:40:50 PM Ignore PithyOpiner Report Abuse If that someone is your neighbor and you are thinking of stealing it thinking he won't notice, go for it. I'd do it .
63pioneer Champion Author Texas Posts:1,521 Points:56,155 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 7, 2013 5:51:52 AM Ignore 63pioneer Report Abuse If the lid was on tight and you added it to an almost full tank of gas, I think you might could get by it, but don't know about putting it in your lawn mower. Check with a small engine repair shop before you do!
dvx4002004 Sophomore Author Medford Posts:111 Points:263,970 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2013 3:18:41 AM Ignore dvx4002004 Report Abuse Yes
giwan Veteran Author Michigan Posts:481 Points:87,475 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: May 7, 2013 12:19:25 AM Ignore giwan Report Abuse If its only a gallon or two and you mixed it with a almost full tank you will never notice.
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,783 Points:2,894,635 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 6, 2013 5:00:31 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse I put Sta-bil into everything that has gas in it over the winter and it is fine. This stabilizes the gas.
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,715 Points:1,580,475 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 6, 2013 1:05:27 AM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse After grass cutting season I put the remaining fuel in my cars gas tank. I did have a very littel amount of fuel in my mower from last year, and it still started with no problem this year before adding fresh fuel.
xbAG Veteran Author California Posts:388 Points:211,240 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: May 6, 2013 12:17:03 AM Ignore xbAG Report Abuse I have no clue
WEPSMAN Champion Author South Dakota Posts:10,513 Points:2,023,925 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: May 5, 2013 7:58:20 PM Ignore WEPSMAN Report Abuse It can, but it takes a while. I have gas for my small engines and if it sits too long, I throw it in my car to burn it off.
olympusman2004 Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,671 Points:368,805 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: May 5, 2013 8:56:09 AM Ignore olympusman2004 Report Abuse no
smugutu1234 Sophomore Author Tallahassee Posts:211 Points:70,565 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: May 5, 2013 8:44:11 AM Ignore smugutu1234 Report Abuse No
Wanda127 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,494 Points:914,030 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2013 10:43:16 PM Ignore Wanda127 Report Abuse If it sits anywhere too long it will go bad. That's why they have additives to keep it from going bad in your boats & RV's.
zardoz74 Veteran Author Houston Posts:261 Points:21,950 Joined:Apr 2013	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2013 10:22:43 PM Ignore zardoz74 Report Abuse I hope not.
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,601 Points:2,506,330 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 1, 2013 11:12:43 PM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse Yes the water comes out.
sharansri All-Star Author Seattle Posts:516 Points:103,740 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: Mar 1, 2013 10:39:52 PM Ignore sharansri Report Abuse yes
Saab93turbo Veteran Author Washington Posts:485 Points:85,235 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:22:12 AM Ignore Saab93turbo Report Abuse Yes. Some compounds will evaporate, some will gel. It could be salvaged by mixing it with fresh gas so the bad gas is diluted with good.
2Tall Champion Author Maryland Posts:12,772 Points:2,940,405 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 9:08:07 AM Ignore 2Tall Report Abuse I'd mix, new/old
sharansri All-Star Author Seattle Posts:516 Points:103,740 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: Jan 30, 2013 2:41:25 AM Ignore sharansri Report Abuse not sure
nichols Champion Author Halifax Posts:6,841 Points:1,831,025 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jan 29, 2013 12:53:22 PM Ignore nichols Report Abuse without stabilizer I would not use it
frugalshopper Sophomore Author Syracuse Posts:203 Points:27,860 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 28, 2013 10:49:41 AM Ignore frugalshopper Report Abuse Ethanol tends to break down. It is better to purchase fuel stabilizer if you plan to fill gas cans for the lawn mower and/or snow blower.
Hanski All-Star Author Modesto Posts:509 Points:186,860 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Jan 28, 2013 9:45:15 AM Ignore Hanski Report Abuse not sure.
OceanArcher Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,703 Points:1,327,400 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 28, 2013 8:48:35 AM Ignore OceanArcher Report Abuse Hmmm -- original posting was Nov 2012. Wonder if he ever got off his lazy butt and brought the can inside?
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,783 Points:2,894,635 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jan 28, 2013 5:15:30 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse If it is sealed and some Sta-bil put into it, most likely it will be okay. I put this in all of my small engines over the winter.
TXBruin All-Star Author San Antonio Posts:661 Points:461,625 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 6:21:31 PM Ignore TXBruin Report Abuse yes
BUSSY Champion Author Dallas Posts:9,902 Points:1,540,515 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 4:46:16 PM Ignore BUSSY Report Abuse I have no clue.
WEPSMAN Champion Author South Dakota Posts:10,513 Points:2,023,925 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 9:32:05 AM Ignore WEPSMAN Report Abuse Depends on the amount you have. You should be able to mix it with "fresh" gasoline and be just fine.
twt Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:8,724 Points:996,660 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 8:13:27 AM Ignore twt Report Abuse It could get condensation in it, depending on the weather.
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,783 Points:2,894,635 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 5:33:37 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse It would probably run in a vehicle if no water got into it. You can save gas for a long period if you put Sta-bil stabilizer into it.
OceanArcher Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,703 Points:1,327,400 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 9:22:53 PM Ignore OceanArcher Report Abuse I'd mix it 50/50 with fresh gas, and go for it ....
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,601 Points:2,506,330 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 9:19:17 PM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse When exposed to bacteria in the air it turns into cheese.
Gas_Buddy Champion Author Maryland Posts:25,967 Points:3,033,090 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 8:51:45 PM Ignore Gas_Buddy Report Abuse fenster66 wrote: "if the gas was in a 5 gallon gas can with a cap, and is in a closed space (garage) for a week or two, would there be any problems using it?" That would be no different than if it sat in your parked car while you were away for a week or two. No; there would be no problems using it.
Gas_Buddy Champion Author Maryland Posts:25,967 Points:3,033,090 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 8:51:42 PM Ignore Gas_Buddy Report Abuse fenster66 wrote: "if the gas was in a 5 gallon gas can with a cap, and is in a closed space (garage) for a week or two, would there be any problems using it?" That would be no different than if it sat in your parked car while you were away for a week or two. No; there would be no problems using it.
allnighter Rookie Author Atlanta Posts:30 Points:182,215 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 5:40:19 PM Ignore allnighter Report Abuse It's fine to leave gas in a can, inside or outside for up to 3 months. After that it is still safe to use, it will just be less effective because it begins to lose octane as the chemical chains start to break down.
fenster66 Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:3,345 Points:673,115 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 4:59:29 PM Ignore fenster66 Report Abuse if the gas was in a 5 gallon gas can with a cap, and is in a closed space (garage) for a week or two, would there be any problems using it?
Seekingone Champion Author Louisville Posts:3,517 Points:966,200 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 4:11:35 PM Ignore Seekingone Report Abuse yes
Gas_Buddy Champion Author Maryland Posts:25,967 Points:3,033,090 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 3:23:47 PM Ignore Gas_Buddy Report Abuse You didn't say the size of the can the lawn crew left out but I assume it's probably a one or two gallon can, at most a five gallon can (and not a drum). If that's all it is, one or two gallons, and you're unsure of the quality in any way, simply (properly) dispose of it; the lost is negligible, if for no reason other than you didn't pay for it. But to somewhat answer your question, by simply "sitting out", gas won't be "ruined" as much as it can go stale. And, it's safe to assume that not stabilize was added to the fuel. So, to answer the question of what makes gas go stale, usually the first thing that happens is the lighter chemicals in it evaporate, leaving behind a heavier, less peppy product. Gasoline is an ideal motor vehicle fuel partly because it vaporizes readily to form a combustible mix with air. If it sits unused, however, its more volatile components waft away, leading to poorer engine performance. It's hard to tell how much punch your gas has lost without scientific testing, however, though your car might start a little harder, it'll still run (assuming your car ran without problem before), and there's little risk in burning the fuel if this is all that's gone wrong. The second cause of bad gas is oxidation — some of the hydrocarbons in the fuel react with oxygen to produce new compounds, almost all worse than what you started with. When oxidation becomes a problem, you'll know it without lab tests — the gasoline gives off a sour odor. If you pour some into a glass container, you'll see it's turned dark, and you might find small, solid particles of gum. Using oxidized gasoline is a bad idea as the gum can clog your fuel filter, create deposits in your fuel system (especially the injectors), and generally reduce performance. Third, there's the potential of contamination. Water, which can cause gas-line freezing or other problems, is the main culprit — it usually gets into stored gas via condensation as temperatures fluctuate. If the gas is relatively fresh, a "fuel dryer" additive (basically isopropyl alcohol) can help by combining with the water to make a burnable mix that can be run through the system. Another potential problem caused by water is bacteria, although that's not nearly as common. Gas contaminated with dirt or rust is a no go, as the crud will foul your engine, but you would almost certainly see that if/when you poured the gas from one container to another. The bottom line is that there may be some changes to the quality of the gas in the time it's been left out, but if you absolutely don't want to waste the gas, you can simply mix it in small portions, blending your "old gas" with fresher gas in your fuel tank. Even mixing a five gallon can of "old gas" with an otherwise nearly full tank should still not result in any problems. But if you're in any way uncomfortable with using the "old gas", and I assume you are otherwise you wouldn't ask the question, don't use it. While you won't benefit from not buying a gallor or two or five of fresh gasoline, you'll have peace of mind. And you can't pay enough for that. Does that answer your question? And, as long as you're asking questions, let me make one small suggestion. Post gas prices. Just a little more frequently. it won't help me but it it will help your fellow Akron Gas Buddy members be more knowledgeable shoppers, just as their gas price posting can help you be a more knowledgeable shopper. But that's just a suggestion.The push for reformulated gaso
kylesmail333 Rookie Author Akron Posts:16 Points:10,220 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 11:17:17 AM Ignore kylesmail333 Report Abuse Okay thanks. My landlords lawn crew left the can out and no one has touched it since. So I might just have to do something with it.
MIT05 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,162 Points:1,390,350 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 11:06:46 AM Ignore MIT05 Report Abuse If the gas can was sealed properly you should be fine.