how long does fuel last

[Ryan Willock]

any thoughts on how long fuel lasts when you add stuff like fuel stabil???

 

[dbabcock]

Ryan,
For many years, I never put any fuel stabilizer in and the saws were fine for the winter. Over the last few years, however, I've been putting in a few thimblefulls of stabilizer in the fuel tanks of my saws when I put them away from about Dec. 1 till about Apr. 1. I run the saws for a bit after I put the stabilizer in and at the same time I run some fogging oil through the carburetors while they're running so it gets real smokey. That's about it.

 

[Ryan Willock]

cool but i was thinking more of fuel stored in cans:alien:

 

[bwalker]

Gasoline stored in metal cans that are completly filled and sealed will last a long time. If stored in this manner you should have no problem with the fuel lasting at least a year without stabil. I use stabil as Doug does to keep the small amount of fuel in the carb after i run it dry from gumming things up.

 

[JimL]

I use the stihl fuel stabilizer stuff. I put some of that in and my 2 cans of mix when i fill my 10 gallon tank. Never had a problem with bad gas in my saws..

 

[Rotax Robert]

Well that all depends on which ratio and type of mix you use; which when factored with different octane levels and type of chain you use and type of sharpening methods as well as different bar oils I would say anywhere from one day to 3 months.

 

[eyolf]

I think "winter gas" with a little higher vapor pressure goes bad more quickly. I never worry about stored gas that much, anyway. Once you have smelled stale gas, you'll remember it. If you smell even a hint in your gas can or tank, don't use it.

I also try to find a reason to fire up and use every chain saw I got at least once in a while.

I find that even ancient gas will work fine in the lawnmower.

 

[Tony Snyder]

I go thru my gas mix pretty quickly, fueling up new saw deliveries, and demos, nothing ever sets around more than about a week. I am using the Jonsereds oil with the stabilizer already in it. I just run it oilier mix than 50 to 1, because most of my fuel is used during new saw breakins.

 

[tundraotto]

Fuel stabilizer is a great thing. Raw gas probably stays good for several months with Stabil in it - remember to add it as soon as you get the gas. However, in the 2-stroke world the oil in the mix becomes the problem. The oil wont stay suspended in the gasoline for very long, much less than what the actual gas is good for stabilized. I try to get rid of mine quickly. I have never had to get rid of any as I can use it in the blower etc. or start up the 051 which will guzzle 3 gallons per day easily.

 

[JimL]

Originally posted by eyolf
I think "winter gas" with a little higher vapor pressure goes bad more quickly. I never worry about stored gas that much, anyway. Once you have smelled stale gas, you'll remember it. If you smell even a hint in your gas can or tank, don't use it.

I also try to find a reason to fire up and use every chain saw I got at least once in a while.

I find that even ancient gas will work fine in the lawnmower.

Yep smells like goat pis$ :alien:

 

[Newfie]

Ryan,

My fuel usually lasts until it is gone. Hope this helps.

 

[tony marks]

so thats what goat piss smells like.

 

[Ryan Willock]

Jim, what are you doing smelling goat piss??? LOL

 

[Stumper]

Otto, The oil doesn't stay mixed? Don't tell my gas cans that -they think that it supposed to stay mixed and have never let it separate! I have on a few occassions kept gas around for a couple of months but even the stuff not being used gets to ride around in the truck so I guess separation wasn't an option.

 

[tundraotto]

Yeah, Stumper, like I said it doesnt stay SUSPENDED in the gas. It may stay mixed up - but not EVENLY which is what I mean by suspended in the gas. A 2-stroke motor likes even distribution of the fuel/oil mixture, without several combustion cycles occurring without adequate lubrication since it has not been suspended (ie. evenly distributed) in the gas well enough.

 

[Lobo]

Ryan,

In all my 2 strokes I use high quality 91 octane fuel and a high quality oil, additionnally a few years back I started using PRI-G in all my fuel mixed or not. I have not had one carb problem since, not one on anything. I also use a small funnel with an extremely fine brass screen insert in it, you would be amazed at the ???? it catches and prevents from ending up in your equipments fuel tanks and carbs.

If it is stabilized, mixed well at the pump from the start and re-mixed every time you are going to add some in to a tank my experience is no problem, I don't buy into this thing of separation etc., I have actually asked and discussed this with several dealers including Husky and Stihl and no one new or had any problem with this.

The problems they have seen is with people pooring their oil
over their gas, not mixing it, not stabilizing it and then burning out a motor or clogging it.

Just my 02¢.
http://www.priproducts.com/default.htm

 

[Stumper]

Otto, Perhaps you know some things I don't but I remain surprised at your assertion that the oil doesn't stay evenly mixed.

Gasoline=a blend of highly volatile petroleum solvents.

Common 2-cycle oil="heavier"/more viscous petroleum derivitives pre-diluted with petroleum solvents.

Why would these compatible products separate? Synthetics add a monkey wrench but have you noticed that even 100% synthetic products are diluted with petroleum solvents? Are you, perchance, using gasohol?

 

[stihltech]

mix

Doesn't every 2 cycle person shake the can up before they pour it?

 

[Lobo]

Stihltech, I certainly hopes so, or you are chasing down some trouble that could be very costly.

 

[ricksvar]

I shake my 2 cycle gas mix before pouring and gas containers with stabilizer added.I don't think it's a bad habit.