15 year old unopened fuel

[RCNub]

Hey RCN,

i just got an rc 10 from an uncle who played a long long time ago...with it, he gave me this can of fuel ...which is about as old as me (almost)

anyways..i was wondering if it is safe to use considering its unopened

 

[frickenjoey]

Holy crap I did know XTM had been around that long. I would bet the fuel is not good any more but I really don't think it would hurt anything to try it. I know there will be some that will say toss it or use it to clean air filters but honestly I would give it a shot for the heck of it. Worst that could happen is it runs like crap and you have to toss it anyway.

 

[RCNub]

not sure if this will matter but the rc 10 is older than me and the fuel is as old as me

 

[Metalhead Matt]

Shake the crap out of it. Dump some in your pit bottle, and if it feels cold, it should run.

 

[Lessen]

Actually, I would NOT shake it. If the can somehow got a bit of moisture in it, it could have possibly started coroding the inside of the container at the fuel level line. Although not probable, 10 years is a long time and the fuel may be perfectly fine but you wouldnt' want to introduct small bits of rust into by aggitation.

 

[hamz9561]

You could pour it through a piece of chamois to filter out the bits of rust and other solid impurities.

 

[MustangMan]

A fine disposable paint strainer (automotive paint) can be used as well. I'd transfer it to a clear jug with a tight cap (gallon milk container, etc.) and then try a tank full. If it runs decent, use it (and be sure to mark the container with the contents name!). If it runs like crap or won't start then use it as a cleaning agent for the car/filters/engine, etc.

HTH...
Mark

 

[Lessen]

Good tips here fellas. :thumbup:

 

[Rolex]

Any filtering you do would only cause evaporation and condensation.
If it were me, I'd use it for weed killer and start with a fresh quart.

You're trying to start and tune an engine that hasn't been run in a very long time, so you need to KNOW that you have good fuel.
Once the engine is tuned and running good with the new fuel, that would be the time to try what you have. If you have a problem then, at least you'll know it's the old fuel and not a bad tune.

 

[MustangMan]

Great point Rolex! Forgot the fact he's also working with an old car and had just focused on the fuel question.

If the OP has another nitro in good state of tune, or a friend with one that can try the fuel on a known well running R/C, that's the best way to check it.

 

[Racer 1966]

I'd still keep it and try it after you're running and tuned good. Unfortunately you do have to give it some shaking before you can run it,the fuels/oils do tend to separate when sitting for a long period of time. And I would filter a bit before just pouring it in your tank. If it has drawn enough moisture to corrode the can,it probably won't run anyway.

I have ran many old fuels with no problems but the only time I tried any that old it was less than quart left in a gal jug. It wouldn't run. Do you know/where how it was stored?

 

[RCNub]

Thanks for all the help guys

I'd still keep it and try it after you're running and tuned good. Unfortunately you do have to give it some shaking before you can run it,the fuels/oils do tend to separate when sitting for a long period of time. And I would filter a bit before just pouring it in your tank. If it has drawn enough moisture to corrode the can,it probably won't run anyway.

I have ran many old fuels with no problems but the only time I tried any that old it was less than quart left in a gal jug. It wouldn't run. Do you know/where how it was stored?

i believe it has been sitting in a garage for the length of time.

so...heres what I'm thinking:

filter and transfer it to a plastic container, clean the car, try it out if it looks "good"

did i miss anything?

thanks again for all the help guys

-RCN

 

[Rolex]

Try it AFTER getting the car running properly with new fuel. That's why I suggested getting a quart for starting and tuning. After that, you might have the extra gallon.

 

[Baileygunns]

Why question it?... Toss it.

I know I'm no guru with the nitro scene but if I found some 10 year old VP12 (race gas) in the garage there is NOOOOO way it would end up in the tank of my 450R...

It was free so you're not out anything if you don't use it. Cut your losses (which are none at this point) and go buy some fresh fuel. Why chance frying a $100+ dollar motor over 30 bucks in fuel?

 

[Metalhead Matt]

You wouldn't "fry" an engine with old fuel. The oil doesn't evaporate. The nitro does. Worst case is it doesn't run.

 

[Rolex]

.....and that's exactly why you want to use fresh fuel to start the engine with, otherwise you'll never know if you have a fuel problem, glow plug problem or carb problem.

 

[Racer 1966]

100% agreement with Rolex. You MUST have an engine that is running well and known to be tuned well if you want to try old fuel. Otherwise is a headache waiting to happen and possibly the wrong answer to your questions about the fuel.

 

[RCNub]

alrighty then. thanks guys. so..for fuel what brand am i supposed to be looking for? and I'm guessing 20% since the old tin can also says 20% ?

 

[hamz9561]

I've had good results with Sidewinder and have heard good things about Byron's and O'Donnell's.

 

[RCNub]

ok cool. thanks again guys for all the help