SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> How bad is old fuel?
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1253731932

Message started by easywriter on 09/23/09 at 11:52:12

Title: How bad is old fuel?
Post by easywriter on 09/23/09 at 11:52:12

I recently purchased a 2003 Suzuki Savage 650 that had gas from last year. Unfortunately, I had no way to transport it and rode it home.

It ran terrible, and I had to have the choke out to keep in running. Once it got very warm, it seemed to do a lot better. So when does gas go bad?

Title: Re: How bad is old fuel?
Post by JohnBoy on 09/23/09 at 11:59:50

it depends onn the gas, Reports posted here say that ethanol blends can go bad as quickly as three months.

Title: Re: How bad is old fuel?
Post by boofer on 09/23/09 at 12:03:08

I personally would disconnect fuel line from carb and put it in a gas can. (I have to sit my small can on an 8" block to reach.) Turn petcock to "Prime" position. Gas should flow into the can. Again I personally would pour gas into my car if it had over 1/2 tank already in it. That's up to you. Then I would, and have, fill bike tank with known good gas. Since it runs, add Seafoam (AS DIRECTED) and ride around within walking distance of home. If the carb is not plugged up it should run better in a short time. But it may not idle well at first. Boofer

Title: Re: How bad is old fuel?
Post by Routy on 09/23/09 at 12:42:47

Was it bad fuel ?
My s-40 run better w/ the choke out even w/ bran new fuel in it, till I did the white spacer mod. It runs like a different bike now.
I myself have never had a problem w/ 1 yr old gas.

Title: Re: How bad is old fuel?
Post by Serowbot on 09/23/09 at 12:56:44

Drain it, and put in fresh with some seafoam or other carb cleaner treatment... you may (probably do) have some at least partially clogged jets...
Dump the old gas in your car, where it will dilute with fresh gas...

Title: Re: How bad is old fuel?
Post by Gort on 09/23/09 at 14:39:56

Read this:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_you_mix_old_gasoline_with_new_gasoline

Title: Re: How bad is old fuel?
Post by Serowbot on 09/23/09 at 14:49:54

Gort knows best when it comes to haz-mat stuff.... ;)
I guess a year is a little too old...

Title: Re: How bad is old fuel?
Post by Gort on 09/23/09 at 16:45:31

Hell no, I've used year old fuel myself in lawn mowers, and have seen illegal Mexican aliens use old waste gas in their everyday beaters. But I would never run it through anything good because I'm the one who would have to take everything apart to clean the mess, if I was unlucky.

Title: Re: How bad is old fuel?
Post by Routy on 09/23/09 at 21:11:50

Do what you have to do, but every spring I burn 6 month old gas, w/ no additive, and never had a problem.

Title: Re: How bad is old fuel?
Post by Gort on 09/23/09 at 21:34:41

According to what research on the 'net says, the gas will lose it's octane rating significantly starting in about 3 months. Also, around that time it can absorb moisture. Being involved in the Haz Waste industry, I used to arrange to have months old gas removed from various above ground tanks that had collected it from old junk cars and equipment. From there it was supposed to go to an off loading site to be disposed of in accordance with State and Federal regs, but before it did a lot of it illegally ended up in employee's gas tanks. It would be strained with a t-shirt as it was poured into the car's tank, and the t-shirt would collect fine brown silt. The cars seem to run okay but for sure the octane rating was not what it used to be, and I bet the additive packages had changed from age.

The point is that if you have old gas in your bike, why not drain it and use new product? Why be so cheap, especially when there is no question that the octane rating lowers with age? Is it worth the gamble, just to save a few dollars?