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Author Topic:   The Safety of Using Old Gasoline

Langella7 posted 04-15-2011 11:47 AM ET (US)
I purchased a [2005 Boston Whaler 130 SPORT] in December [2010] from a Marina and [Boston Whaler] dealer as a trade-in. I imagine it was traded-in sometime over the summer. It has two full gasoline tanks. Is it safe to use this gas? Or, should I replace with new gasoline? [If you have any] thoughts [about these questions please post them.]
martyn1075 posted 04-15-2011 12:07 PM ET (US)
I understand your concern. Do you happen to know a detailed history report on this boat from the previous owner? If so they would probably know if the tanks were treated before storage. If the gas was treated and treated properly then you should be ok, but thats a big if. It does seem like a waste of gas to dump but running bad gas is not a good idea at all and possibly run a risk of engine failure of some sort. May not happen but it might at the same time. For peace of mind and an extra $50-$60 dollars I would get rid of it and start fresh.
The last thing you need running through the back of your mind is thinking what if while you are trying to enjoy your new boat this summer.
Martyn

Buckda posted 04-15-2011 12:15 PM ET (US)
It depends on the motor. If it's a carburated Mercury 4 stroke, then you want to replace the gas. Those engines are so efficient that the passages for the carbs are VERY small and make the engines notoriously sensitive to fuel quality.
If it's an EFI, I'd siphon 5 gallons and mix a healthy dose of Sta-Bil and 104+ Octane boost, and dump it back in so it mixes well with the rest of the fuel. Then run the heck out of it the first warm weekend you get.
Run some carb/injector cleaner in the next tank and forget about it.
Have fun!
Langella7 posted 04-15-2011 01:04 PM ET (US)
Engine is a 2005 40 HP efi 4 stroke with 90 hours on. For peace of mind I think I will get new gas in the one tank and use that on my lawnmower. And continue to use all ale gas on other lawn equipment until its all gone. Don't have much history on it, but assume its at least 8 month old gas, I did have them winterize it but I doubt they stabalized the gas.
weekendwarrior posted 04-15-2011 01:07 PM ET (US)
If you don't have one already, add a good fuel/water separator and filter. That will hopefully catch any junk before it gets to the motor. Keep an eye on it your first few uses.
Langella7 posted 04-15-2011 02:26 PM ET (US)
I decided to get all new gas, would I still need a fuel water sepaerator? Sorry for all questions, this is my first boat and a lot of this is new to me. Pretty sure I don't have one. Again, the engine is a 2005 40 HP merc efi. Taken it out striper fishing Sunday. Started it up last weekend and let it run for few minutes. Started up first time
martyn1075 posted 04-15-2011 02:38 PM ET (US)
IMO yes again peace of mind unless you really know the history who owned and maintained the boat previous it certainly won't hurt on the other hand its more money. Usually located in the stern little white capsule/can with a clear plastic bowl on the bottom filled with clear substance which is gas. If its there its actually a very useful little device for your boats fuel system.
Buckda posted 04-15-2011 02:49 PM ET (US)
For above-deck, plastic tanks? I disagree. Your motor has a small filter on the powerhead. Buy a spare and learn how to change it....and change it annually.
If you had metal, below deck tanks, then I'd be more concerned about a bigger, water separating fuel filter ahead of the small powerhead filter....but in this case, I think you'll be fine.
Tom W Clark posted 04-15-2011 03:10 PM ET (US)
Do not worry about it. That gas will be fine.
pcrussell50 posted 04-15-2011 04:44 PM ET (US)
I would dilute it with good fresh gas and use it in my car, little by little. As a TOTALLY unscientific data point, StaBil imparts a darkish brownish orangish tint. If your gas has that, there's a good chance it was treated with StaBil. Of course if it doesnt have that, it could still have been treated with something else.
-Peter
jimh posted 04-16-2011 08:11 AM ET (US)
Gasoline that has been properly treated with a stabilizer and properly stored will still be usable even if two years old.
Although you did not mention the capacity of the fuel tanks, I will assume they are 6-gallon tanks because of the 13-foot boat they're associated with. Six gallons of gasoline is not hard to handle. If you have any worries I recommend you decant the gasoline from one 6-gallon tank and use it in your car, mixing it with fresh gasoline at a 1:1 ratio. Then decant 3-gallons from the other 6-gallon tank into the first tank, and top off both tanks with fresh gasoline.
deepwater posted 04-16-2011 04:24 PM ET (US)
If you can get a large water jug you can syphon the gas into it and you should be able to see any phase separation that has occurred
weekendwarrior posted 04-16-2011 07:25 PM ET (US)
Yes I would definitely add a fuel water separator. Plastic tanks get water just like under-deck tanks, happened to my dad's aluminum boat with a 9.9hp on it, somehow he got water in his gas tank. You have to view a boat as if you are stranded when it breaks down, so you have to avoid problems at all costs. A fuel water separator is very inexpensive relative the problems it can save you.
If you are worried about water in your old gas with a portable tank, just tilt it so that one corner is down. The water, if any, will run down to that corner and you can suck it out with your favorite suction device; siphon, turkey baster and rubber hose, etc...
weekendwarrior posted 04-16-2011 07:27 PM ET (US)
Forgot to mention; water in the gas might not originate with your gas tank. I have gotten gas with water in it from a filling station. The difference is in a car you just pull over. In a boat you have to figure out how to get yourself and your boat back to the dock, not always easy depending on where you are.

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Author	Topic: The Safety of Using Old Gasoline
Langella7	posted 04-15-2011 11:47 AM ET (US) I purchased a [2005 Boston Whaler 130 SPORT] in December [2010] from a Marina and [Boston Whaler] dealer as a trade-in. I imagine it was traded-in sometime over the summer. It has two full gasoline tanks. Is it safe to use this gas? Or, should I replace with new gasoline? [If you have any] thoughts [about these questions please post them.]
martyn1075	posted 04-15-2011 12:07 PM ET (US) I understand your concern. Do you happen to know a detailed history report on this boat from the previous owner? If so they would probably know if the tanks were treated before storage. If the gas was treated and treated properly then you should be ok, but thats a big if. It does seem like a waste of gas to dump but running bad gas is not a good idea at all and possibly run a risk of engine failure of some sort. May not happen but it might at the same time. For peace of mind and an extra $50-$60 dollars I would get rid of it and start fresh. The last thing you need running through the back of your mind is thinking what if while you are trying to enjoy your new boat this summer. Martyn
Buckda	posted 04-15-2011 12:15 PM ET (US) It depends on the motor. If it's a carburated Mercury 4 stroke, then you want to replace the gas. Those engines are so efficient that the passages for the carbs are VERY small and make the engines notoriously sensitive to fuel quality. If it's an EFI, I'd siphon 5 gallons and mix a healthy dose of Sta-Bil and 104+ Octane boost, and dump it back in so it mixes well with the rest of the fuel. Then run the heck out of it the first warm weekend you get. Run some carb/injector cleaner in the next tank and forget about it. Have fun!
Langella7	posted 04-15-2011 01:04 PM ET (US) Engine is a 2005 40 HP efi 4 stroke with 90 hours on. For peace of mind I think I will get new gas in the one tank and use that on my lawnmower. And continue to use all ale gas on other lawn equipment until its all gone. Don't have much history on it, but assume its at least 8 month old gas, I did have them winterize it but I doubt they stabalized the gas.
weekendwarrior	posted 04-15-2011 01:07 PM ET (US) If you don't have one already, add a good fuel/water separator and filter. That will hopefully catch any junk before it gets to the motor. Keep an eye on it your first few uses.
Langella7	posted 04-15-2011 02:26 PM ET (US) I decided to get all new gas, would I still need a fuel water sepaerator? Sorry for all questions, this is my first boat and a lot of this is new to me. Pretty sure I don't have one. Again, the engine is a 2005 40 HP merc efi. Taken it out striper fishing Sunday. Started it up last weekend and let it run for few minutes. Started up first time
martyn1075	posted 04-15-2011 02:38 PM ET (US) IMO yes again peace of mind unless you really know the history who owned and maintained the boat previous it certainly won't hurt on the other hand its more money. Usually located in the stern little white capsule/can with a clear plastic bowl on the bottom filled with clear substance which is gas. If its there its actually a very useful little device for your boats fuel system.
Buckda	posted 04-15-2011 02:49 PM ET (US) For above-deck, plastic tanks? I disagree. Your motor has a small filter on the powerhead. Buy a spare and learn how to change it....and change it annually. If you had metal, below deck tanks, then I'd be more concerned about a bigger, water separating fuel filter ahead of the small powerhead filter....but in this case, I think you'll be fine.
Tom W Clark	posted 04-15-2011 03:10 PM ET (US) Do not worry about it. That gas will be fine.
pcrussell50	posted 04-15-2011 04:44 PM ET (US) I would dilute it with good fresh gas and use it in my car, little by little. As a TOTALLY unscientific data point, StaBil imparts a darkish brownish orangish tint. If your gas has that, there's a good chance it was treated with StaBil. Of course if it doesnt have that, it could still have been treated with something else. -Peter
jimh	posted 04-16-2011 08:11 AM ET (US) Gasoline that has been properly treated with a stabilizer and properly stored will still be usable even if two years old. Although you did not mention the capacity of the fuel tanks, I will assume they are 6-gallon tanks because of the 13-foot boat they're associated with. Six gallons of gasoline is not hard to handle. If you have any worries I recommend you decant the gasoline from one 6-gallon tank and use it in your car, mixing it with fresh gasoline at a 1:1 ratio. Then decant 3-gallons from the other 6-gallon tank into the first tank, and top off both tanks with fresh gasoline.
deepwater	posted 04-16-2011 04:24 PM ET (US) If you can get a large water jug you can syphon the gas into it and you should be able to see any phase separation that has occurred
weekendwarrior	posted 04-16-2011 07:25 PM ET (US) Yes I would definitely add a fuel water separator. Plastic tanks get water just like under-deck tanks, happened to my dad's aluminum boat with a 9.9hp on it, somehow he got water in his gas tank. You have to view a boat as if you are stranded when it breaks down, so you have to avoid problems at all costs. A fuel water separator is very inexpensive relative the problems it can save you. If you are worried about water in your old gas with a portable tank, just tilt it so that one corner is down. The water, if any, will run down to that corner and you can suck it out with your favorite suction device; siphon, turkey baster and rubber hose, etc...
weekendwarrior	posted 04-16-2011 07:27 PM ET (US) Forgot to mention; water in the gas might not originate with your gas tank. I have gotten gas with water in it from a filling station. The difference is in a car you just pull over. In a boat you have to figure out how to get yourself and your boat back to the dock, not always easy depending on where you are.