magic 21

i've been out of the hobby for about 3 years and have decided to pull my planes back out an get back into it my question is i have some fuel that has been put up for about 2 or 3 years and it has been stored in a out building where the temperature can be really hot and really cold, should i still try to use this fuel or should i get some new.

rclement

My Feedback: (1)

I would just buy some new fuel. It's not worth the 15.00 to mess up your flying experience. Some on here will probably reply that it could still be good but really, why bother with it.

RCVFR

My Feedback: (7)

I would put it to good use in weed abatement.

Stickbuilder

You could run it as a break in fuel, but I would not trust it in the air with an expensive airplane attached to the fuel tubing.

Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1

TomCrump

If your fuel han't been opened, it should be fine. I did the same thing, a few years back, with no problems encountered.

RCPAUL

My Feedback: (1)

If your fuel is all castor or a castor/syn mix, check to see if there is any white particles floating in it (that would be rancid castor). If not, it is OK and I know I'd use it.

Paul

jaka

Hi!
No problem using fuel that is 10 or 15 years old as long as it has been kept in a closed jar, plastic jar or metal container and kept in a dark, rather cold environement, like a basement or garage.
Regards!
Jan K
Sweden

BillS

I have been given and used 5 or 6 partial gallons of fuel that someone thought was bad. The fuel was open and old and in one instance the jug was connected to fueling equipment, which was not airtight. Never noticed any problems.

Bill

jeffk464

Cold garage! You must be living in Sweden or something.

JPMacG

My Feedback: (2)

Well, I buy about 3 years of fuel at a time. I store it in my unheated shed as I don't like the idea of storing cases of inflammable liquid inside my house. I have had no problem with the fuel.

I suppose it would be better to store at a constant temperature. I expect temperature variations cause the bottle to 'breathe' a little, and that pulls in humid air, which can contaminate the fuel with water. Probably best to store the fuel in full, tightly sealed bottles (full to reduce the air volume) at a constant temperature.

GRANT ED

I have used fuel that is 2 years old with no problems. Give it a good run on the ground, if all is good then go flying. If you seam to be having troubles with tuning then get some new fuel.

SDR-Hammer

I have fuel older than that and it performs very well. However it’s never been opened and is stored in the case, in a temp controlled area.

For open containers; if I don’t use it up by the end of the flying season it becomes weed killer in the spring.

Took my cheap butt a long time to learn it’s just not worth it.

cloudancer03

My Feedback: (22)

I was out of the hobby even longer than you and discovered a gallon of fuel never opened.I inspected it for white speckswhich is a clear sign its spoiled but it appeared clean.I ran the fuel in an engine broken in on atest bench and it suprised me as it was good and the engine didnt get hot and seize up.mine was never opened and stored in a dark area of my basement which is cool at times .exposure to light is a key factor.