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Posted by MSeriesRebuild [71.28.89.207] on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 12:34:54 :
In Reply to: Old Gasoline posted by Bob in North GA [174.131.14.64] on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 19:46:42 :
Fellows, disposal isn't the real issue that should worry you, although handling disposal in any # of proper ways is wise if you need to waste it.
I'm guessing by the replies posted here that none has actually seen the results of running bad gas in your engine. I know it's expensive and nobody wants to just toss it; however for example, if you see the issues it causes when run through your flat head 6; one method of disposal suggested here; all I know to say is that is one decision you will regret. We've had to deal with several engines where this was done. The worst required the valves be pulled from the guides with a slide hammer puller, total replacement of all valve train components, a MAJOR clean up task of everything the fuel had touched which took hours of labor, etc. This class on not burning stale gas in a flat head 6 cost this consumer several thousand $$$, but then education is costly. It will create a tar like substance on the under sides of the intake valve heads, guides, and engine internals that starts out as a black sticky goo, then hardens like concrete. Talk about a clean up task, it's one for the record books.
Long story short, it is a very unwise decision to leave gas in your tank for more than 30 days. In storage, the experts claim today's gasoline (or whatever it is we buy these days) actually starts a separation process in as little as 2 weeks. As this process progresses, things go down hill quickly. Years ago it was a recommended practice to top off fuel tanks during storage periods; now it's one of the absolute worst things you can do; gas HAS CHANGED. The only good storage method for extended periods is a DRY tank. The arguement that products such as Sta-Bil are good to preserve fuel in extended storage is a total myth. My opinion is it likely does help some in short term, but as a long term product it is a total waste. Some of our customers have well proven that fact. One of our custmers in SC used it religiously, yet kept calling us to make 75 mile service calls one way. Same result every time, stale gas and a huge clean up of tank, lines, filters, carb bowl, etc. His old familiar line was; yes but I put the stuff in the gas according to directions. Well obviously it isn't working for you. Took 3 costly trips and clean ups to get him convinced, but the problem stopped when he quit using a gas / Sta-Bil mixture during storage.
I'm posting this in an effort to inform those who are using bad gas that you are flurting with disaster. All I've written is directly based on situations we have dealt with. Those who suggest that gas is good for a year; you are without a doubt over the edge; and well on the way to hating yourself in the morning.
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