Fuel Storage (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Glow Engines, Gas Engines, Fuel & Mfg Support Forums] >> RC Fuels



Message

rc-maniac -> Fuel Storage (1/3/2008 3:07:55 PM)

How long will 2-Cycle or 4-Cycle stay good in storage? I live in South Texas, so Heat is a factor during the Summer.



Jim Thomerson -> RE: Fuel Storage (1/3/2008 3:52:55 PM)

I don't know. I have @ 1/2 gallon of Red Max 5% which got lost in my basement in Illinois about 1980. It was in a storage area in Austin for about a year, and now is in my shop which is insulated and cooled or heated when I am in there. I run a tankful through an engine on the bench now and then and it seems to run fine. I'm presently flying with Sig Champion 10% I bought three years ago.



w8ye -> RE: Fuel Storage (1/4/2008 4:10:27 AM)

I consider light to be a detrimental factor. I keep mine in a closed cardboard box. Does OK for 3 or 4 years. But I've had fuel go bad in a few weeks if the sun shines on it every day. Fluorescent lights seem to do more harm than incandescent lamps.

I use a metal fuel can at the field. I refill it at home from the plastic jugs.



alan0899 -> RE: Fuel Storage (1/4/2008 5:55:00 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: rc-maniac

How long will 2-Cycle or 4-Cycle stay good in storage? I live in South Texas, so Heat is a factor during the Summer.



G'day Mate,
The main factors for storing fuel are, if it is in a sealed container, & where & on what it is stored.
If it is in a steel container, stored on concrete, the moisture will permeate the steel & contaminate the fuel, believe it or not, if the container is kept sealed, & stored on wood, off the ground, it should last for years.



Jezmo -> RE: Fuel Storage (1/4/2008 1:00:48 PM)

I do the exact same thing as w8ye. When I buy a case of fuel it is in a cardboard box (case) that tightly fits the four one gallon jugs. I just keep it in there until needed then pour it in my metal "field" can. I generally only pour in what I think I will need for the day plus a little extra. (In case someone forgot their fuel at home and needs to borrow some; been there, done that myself, sucks.) I've bought more fuel that was already bad off the shelf than went bad storing it this way. The longest I have ever kept fuel and then used it was about 2 or 3 yrs and it was still good.

Gasoline is a different story. It goes bad even faster when mixed with oil. I've seen gas/oil turn into nasty smelling stuff in just 6 months. I try to never store premix longer than a month or two although with StaBil added it can be stored much longer and still be used. I am curious to see how ethanol affects the gasoline in storage.



stinger31 -> RE: Fuel Storage (1/4/2008 1:27:18 PM)

Regarding fuel storage (gasoline) there really isn't any way to stabilize ethanol. The ethanol evaporates over a fairly short period of time, is also hygroscopic (absorbs water) and is what gives us our octane in the gas. It can absorb its own percentage of water, meaning if you have E-10 (10%) ethanol you could actually end up with 10% water in your fuel container. And since the ethanol evaporates over time you are loosing your octane as well. It looses aprox. 2 points over about 6 weeks. So if you started out with 87 octane in a relatively short period of time it will be well under the minimum requirements for your engine. Best bet is to mix only what you can use over a 30-45 day period. I could elaborate further on this subject but I believe most of us have seen the effects of E-10 when left in our weed wackers, lawnmowers, etc. Unless you enjoy rebuilding carbs.don't hold onto the fuel too long.



Page: [1]

Valid CSS!




SITE MAP!   : :   FORUM RULES

© 2001 - 2007 24-7 RC, LLC, all rights reserved.
0.171875