How long can petrol be stored for?

DriverLDN · 10-20-2015, 06:55 AM

Hi Guys,

I've had a jerry can with about 5ltrs of petrol in it, in my boot now for about 2 years which I took on a roadtrip to Italy.

I'm just wondering if this fuel is still ok to use or whether it may have gone off?

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Bhavik

Dann · 10-20-2015, 01:58 PM

If you are sticking it into a tank load it will be fine so diluting it right down it should be fine.
If running it on only that fuel it may run a little rough but should run.

I started an old car with 14 year old fuel.

DriverLDN · 10-21-2015, 02:25 AM

Cheers Dann!

I'll give it ago on my next fill up then.

AlwynMike · 10-22-2015, 07:01 AM

My old lawnmower (with an Italian Briggs & Stratton engine) will absolutely not start in the spring if it has any of last years petrol left in it - even mentions it in the "handbook"

My "new" Honda is fine though

Mike

doughboy · 11-10-2015, 05:27 AM

Officially modern petrol is only good for 1 month storage. But if it's tipped into a full fresh tank and well dliuted it should be OK as said, so do that with it to empty your can then put fresh super in the can if you need to.

All our garden machinery gets drained come winter as mike said. Problem is the ethanol separates out and absorbs masses of water, then rots your metal can and furs up anything aluminium or brass (i.e. carburettors). Shaking it up doesn't mix it properly either.

Super unleaded stays stable for a lot longer as it has a lot less ethanol in it and also other additives to maintain stability. So always use V power or similar for fuel cans or garden machinery (makes the mower go faster too

). Well worth the extra pennies.

10-20-2015, 06:55 AM	#1
DriverLDN First Lieutenant 50 Rep 302 Posts Drives: BMW 330i M Sport E90 2006 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Croydon iTrader: (0)	How long can petrol be stored for? Hi Guys, I've had a jerry can with about 5ltrs of petrol in it, in my boot now for about 2 years which I took on a roadtrip to Italy. I'm just wondering if this fuel is still ok to use or whether it may have gone off? Any ideas? Thanks in advance. Bhavik __________________
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10-20-2015, 01:58 PM	#2
Dann Major 133 Rep 1,381 Posts Drives: E90 LCi 335i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Portsmouth, United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	If you are sticking it into a tank load it will be fine so diluting it right down it should be fine. If running it on only that fuel it may run a little rough but should run. I started an old car with 14 year old fuel. Last edited by Dann; 10-21-2015 at 11:14 AM..
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10-21-2015, 02:25 AM	#3
DriverLDN First Lieutenant 50 Rep 302 Posts Drives: BMW 330i M Sport E90 2006 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Croydon iTrader: (0)	Cheers Dann! I'll give it ago on my next fill up then. __________________
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10-22-2015, 07:01 AM	#4
AlwynMike Lieutenant Colonel 337 Rep 1,661 Posts Drives: F36 440i GC. Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincolnshire Flatlands iTrader: (1)	My old lawnmower (with an Italian Briggs & Stratton engine) will absolutely not start in the spring if it has any of last years petrol left in it - even mentions it in the "handbook" My "new" Honda is fine though Mike
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11-10-2015, 05:27 AM	#5
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Officially modern petrol is only good for 1 month storage. But if it's tipped into a full fresh tank and well dliuted it should be OK as said, so do that with it to empty your can then put fresh super in the can if you need to. All our garden machinery gets drained come winter as mike said. Problem is the ethanol separates out and absorbs masses of water, then rots your metal can and furs up anything aluminium or brass (i.e. carburettors). Shaking it up doesn't mix it properly either. Super unleaded stays stable for a lot longer as it has a lot less ethanol in it and also other additives to maintain stability. So always use V power or similar for fuel cans or garden machinery (makes the mower go faster too). Well worth the extra pennies.
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