does old fuel go bad? (Full Version)

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malavivius -> does old fuel go bad? (5/18/2007 3:28:31 AM)

Would fuel i haven't used in over a year go bad?

it's for a plane, methanol and 20% caster oil. someone told me the fuel can break down and its properties change.

Cheers.[:D]



downunder -> RE: does old fuel go bad? (5/18/2007 3:49:32 AM)

So long as the cap is tight so air can't breathe in and out with temperature changes then it'll be fine. If it breathes then it draws in moisture each time and the methanol sucks it out of the air. I use the same fuel and the castor doesn't go off at all. Nice to see another Adelaide guy too. I'm down south at Happy Valley.



Dan D -> RE: does old fuel go bad? (5/18/2007 3:53:46 AM)

Hi
I have fuel that is 3 years old and it still runs OK in my planes. my fuel is stored in a dark closet away from light and is kept at room temp.I've seen caster oil congeal into drops of oil on the bottom in friends fuel, but that has never happened to me.
I like a dummy bought 2 cases of fuel on sale (eight gallons ) I do not fly much now which is why I stiil have the fuel.
Bright sunlight is the worst way to store fuel I have been told.
Dan



malavivius -> RE: does old fuel go bad? (5/18/2007 5:46:03 AM)

thanks, i guess it's still good then.

I bought a trainer and the gear to fly, built my plane. set it up my self and crashed on my first ever flight. then i lost the passion.
i just repaired the trainer and want to try again, this time at a club with someone to trim it out first.

hi Downunder, i guess you fly at the holdfast areo club? i live at semaphore so bit of a drive to any flying field. i think the club behind the Adeliade International Raceway is the closest. but they are the only two fields i know of.



downunder -> RE: does old fuel go bad? (5/18/2007 3:35:47 PM)

I'm about 5 minutes away from the Holdfast field but the Constellation club near the Raceway would be the closest to you. But lucky you, you're a lot closer to Scotcher Race fuels to get your methanol :). One thing about water in fuel, when it gets to a certain concentration (around 3% depending on the temperature) all the oil will drop out of the mixture and fall to the bottom of the container. Instantly.



malavivius -> RE: does old fuel go bad? (5/19/2007 1:28:50 AM)

Thanks downunder, well no sign of oil at the bottom of the container. One day when it's calm sunny weather i'll go to the club and see if someone can spend some time with me, if they're not too busy flying that is.[:)]



xlr82v2 -> RE: does old fuel go bad? (6/24/2007 6:49:10 AM)

I got a gallon of fuel a few years ago that was at least 8 years old when I got it (it was stored away in a bunch of my stuff from college!!)

Ran just like new fuel.

Fuel doesn't go bad if stored properly.



JohnnyV44 -> RE: does old fuel go bad? (7/26/2007 3:22:19 PM)

I've had a few gallons in the basement....cool down there. It seems to be darker than when I bought it. Does Color have any indication of the condition of "Store Bought" fuel?



N1EDM -> RE: does old fuel go bad? (7/29/2007 1:07:29 AM)

I found a pint can of Cox fuel (high nitro) in my cellar that had to be literally 20 years old. It was sealed, so I tried it. It worked!!

Bob



Speedy-Gonzales -> RE: does old fuel go bad? (8/27/2007 10:37:33 PM)

I can not place the actual magazine article but I remember an article where there was a test to see just how much water could be added to a gallon of fuel before there was a significant difference in engine performance. The test was actually performed recently but the engine was an old Johnson 35 C/L engine. The gentleman chose this engine because it was a good old dependable engine that ran strong but he figured it would not be a great loss if the engine failed mechanically due to the test he was about to perform. ( have you priced a vintage Johnson 35 lately?) Well anyways.... the final results was that he added a total of 27% tap water to a gallon of fuel and the engine still ran! He noted that it was not untill he reached approximately 20% water content that any change in performance was noticed. Pretty astounding results. I believe the article was in "Model Aviation" or "Model Airplane News". I can not remember the magazine or the date but I was so astonished with the numbers of the test that I remembered that part of it distinctly. I will try to find the actual article or maybe one of you heavy readers out there could help me find it. These are the only two magazines I subscribe to so I know it was in one or the other.



downunder -> RE: does old fuel go bad? (8/28/2007 9:05:38 AM)

Speedy
I've heard about that test but I simply can't believe it unless he was using some weird kind of oil. My tests were done with both all castor and and all synthetic turbine oil and neither oil would tolerate more than about 3-4% water at room temperature. If an engine could survive without any oil then yes, I'm sure it'd run with >20% water.



Jim Thomerson -> RE: does old fuel go bad? (8/28/2007 4:00:05 PM)

The aforementioned test with 20% water was in one of Joe Wagner's engine columns in Model Aviation a couple of years back. I have to say I am sceptical of fuel staying mixed with 20% water. He ran it through a Johnson 35, which is a pretty good vibrator. Maybe it kept the fuel all shook up.[:D]



Speedy-Gonzales -> RE: does old fuel go bad? (8/28/2007 9:42:13 PM)

I am a firm believer in adding an ounce or two of AEROSHELL 500 Turbine Oil to my glowfuel. I believe BVM Jets used to market this product as "Snake Oil". I am a diehard castor oil user also. Especially when using the older engines that incorporate older metallurgy. The new Nelson and Jett angines are truely amazing works of art. I recently took a brand new vintage K/B 6.5cc quickee engine to the field and made the mistake of using totally synthetic fuel. Needless to say, it has cut the engine life dramatically. Don't get me wrong. Synthetic fuels have their place but not when it comes to all out extreme performance racing engines. A little castor is always better than none at all. By the way...I do not add tap water to my fuel!!!! Great discussion in this forum. Speedy



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