Fuel

[MaxxMasterS2]

How long is fuel good for? If it's been stored in a cool, dry place, not on concrete, how long until it goes bad?

I have a gallon that is probably approaching 2 years. Will I be able to use it?

 

[jetmechG550]

Two years is a bit much. I know guys that store fuel over the winter and it's ok. I run year round so my fuel doesn't sit long. I'm on about gallon #16 so far this year.

 

[jon2]

XRC has said fuel stored properly has a long life. Not sure how long that would be. I personally would not use fuel stored for more than a year.

 

[jetmechG550]

The big concern and I should have asked was, has it been opened? If unopened your probably fine, just make sure you shake it well. If it's been opened, I'd say can it. Moisture intrusion and air will be the enemy there. I know Byrons uses special jugs and maybe Werks, not sure of the others.

 

[Bryson]

Id say unopend its still go but like others have said if its old and open just throw it away and get another gallon. A gallon of nitro is cheaper then a new engine, think of it that way.

Bryson

 

[MaxxMasterS2]

Thanks for all the input. I should have mensioned it's unopened, so I might give it a go. The guy at my LHS convinced me it would be ok if stored properly, so I had bought many gallons on sale. I haven't been bashing recently, so it's been sitting in my basement on a shelf, waiting.

 

[jon2]

Regardless if unopened, if it is sitting on say your garage concrete floor it will have moisture issues. If you leave it in direct sunlight, you will have nitro issues as it throws off the ratio from nitro to oil content. I store fuel for no more than 6 months and on a shelf away from sunlight but not in a super cold atmosphere.

Look at it this way... store it like you saw it a the LHS.

 

[Racer 1966]

I'd run it! If it's stored properly it'll last a long while. If you don't run it what'll you do with it? Throw it out? If you try it and it doesn't run very well, what'll you do with it? Throw it out? What would it hurt to try it? The worst thing is you clean out your fuel tank/lines and get new fuel.

 

[jetmechG550]

Hmmm, the worst thing that could happen? Blow you motor up by cracking the case comes to mind. If the fuel has moisture in it guess what, water doesn't compress so you end up cracking the case.

 

[Racer 1966]

guess what, water doesn't compress so you end up cracking the case.

Guess what? Fuel doesn't compress either! And if you have that much liquid entering the cylinder then your carb is WAY out of tune. If you have that water in your fuel you did a piss poor job of storage hence I said "if it's stored properly". These hobby fuels can be stored a VERY long time and still be ok if it's properly done. I personally have used 10 year old fuel in my Cox .049 engine.

Read this article by Don Nix founder of Powermaster Fuel, Yes I know it's mainly for airplanes but the principles are the same.

 

[jetmechG550]

WTF, the post got all screwed up.

The rest isn't worth it..... have fun there.....




PS stop assuming, wasn't me, so I didn't do a piss poor anything smarty

 

[Racer 1966]

WTF, the post got all screwed up.



No Kiddin???????? Gee does it vaporize and the vapor is compressed and ignited???? Please master tell me more???? And guess what smart guy, it wasn't me, so I didn't do a piss poor job of anything. Not all these fuel manufacturers use quality containers. My buddy was given an unopened jug of fuel by someone and it had moisture in and it cracked the case, now debate me on that.

I wasn't assuming, MaxxMasterS2 has the fuel in question. I was speaking figuratively by saying "you", not meaning specifically you, Jetmech. And fuel in liquid form does not compress so, Bingo, yes the fuel must be mixed with air and turned into a gaseous vapor or atomized to be compressed and ignited.
Most containers are now plastic bottles which are non-hygroscopic and less seceptible to moisture condensation on the inside than the metal cans. But again storage conditions are the main factor.

As for what happened to your buddy, I can't say, I wasn't there. But I'd love to debate you on it! How old was the Jug? How was it stored? Did it come from someone you could trust? : J/K There are way too many variables for me to say what really happened. Moisture or not, there was probably too much liquid in the cylinder

Bottom line, I would try out the fuel, but that's ME.

 

[Burgers8]

why not store it on concrete again? cause mines in my basement near window that light gets in and its pretty cold down there and the floor is concrete. lol