Petrol going off...

[AMG Merc]

Being that some will be storing their cars for the winter soon (apologies - no doubt this has been covered extensively before) but what experience and advice is there of fuel causing problems (starting, engine contamiation, etc.) after laying up periods?

And, is this kind of additive worthwhile...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003EAU3GO?ie=U...

[HustleRussell]

When laying up a car for less than 6 months you don't need to give this any consideration whatsoever IMO.

[Gadgeroonie]

some fuel manufacturers use a blend of ethanol in the fuel

the amount of ethanol is increasing as time goes on - ethanol can be produced from crops not oil

abroad you can buy a fuel called e85 which is a larger blend of ethanol

the trouble is the ethanol evaporates over time ( and can encourage water into the fuel)

the solution is to fit a device that measures the strength of the e85 in your tank and the ecu can adjust the air fuel ratio to suit

---

so my advice is store the vehicle with a low amount of fuel and top it up when you take it out of hibernation

[kambites]

My MG has 5+ year old petrol in it and still starts and runs fine (until it overheats, but that's not the petrol's fault).

[Donboy]

It won't do any harm anyway ,
When I pack the Jetski up for the winter , I put a fuel stabiliser in and fill to the top with petrol (less space for condensation to form)
Could be a money making racket , but not going to take the chance ,
Don't fancy breaking down in the sea ..

[RobCrezz]

kambites said:

My MG has 5+ year old petrol in it and still starts and runs fine (until it overheats, but that's not the petrol's fault).

I bet your MG isnt tuned close to knocking point. After a while the Octane rating of the fuel can seriously drop causing knock.

[Ozzie Osmond]

AMG Merc said:

Being that some will be storing their cars for the winter soon....

This never ceases to amaze me. Cars are much happier being used regularly than parked-up for months on end. Just make sure you get it out and drive it every week or so.

Fuel deterioration is the LEAST of your concerns.

[kambites]

RobCrezz said:

kambites said:

My MG has 5+ year old petrol in it and still starts and runs fine (until it overheats, but that's not the petrol's fault).

I bet your MG isnt tuned close to knocking point. After a while the Octane rating of the fuel can seriously drop causing knock.

No, it's not.

[GreigM]

HustleRussell said:

When laying up a car for less than 6 months you don't need to give this any consideration whatsoever IMO.

This.

Lay up a couple of cars, never had a problem. Batteries dying, brakes seizing, flatspotting - these should be addressed and it will be fine.

[joust]

The entire new fuel input and rail system on my Ur Quattro (not cheap.....) that is just being fitted suggests laying up for 6 months at a time over the last 20 years suggests that it does indeed "go off".

Newer fuels are worse it seems and will start leaving waxy deposits after about a few months. If you are going to lay it up either drive it so that you have very little fuel, and then top up with at least double "fresh" before starting it, or drain it.

J

[Monty Python]

kambites said:

My MG has 5+ year old petrol in it and still starts and runs fine (until it overheats, but that's not the petrol's fault).

This.

[6fire]

I left a bike in the garage for a few years. I did eventually resurrect it, but only after the carbs had been replaced. It wasn't worth trying to clean them - they were chock full of waxy gunk.

If I was doing the same again, I'd drain the carb bowls (or FI rail) before storage.

[Pete731]

RobCrezz said:

I bet your MG isnt tuned close to knocking point. After a while the Octane rating of the fuel can seriously drop causing knock.

Doesn't it drop by someting like 1 octane per month?