"Bad fuel" - not good for outboard, good enough for car?

M

maillme

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 Jan 2008
Messages
69
Location
Scotland
Visit site
Hi there,

Got my boat and 8hp suzuki outboard back from winter storage (based in Amsterdam) - when the engine is in Idle, it cuts out. Spoke to my mechanic who forgot to tell me to use "clean fuel" .......

So, I have 2 x 12l tanks of Unleaded that I need to somehow dispose of. The fuel still works - e.g. when engine isn't idling it works.... do you think I can use this in my car? (Kia Cee'd 2013 model).

Tank (car) has about 40l of fuel just now - and I'd be adding 10l

any help appreciated.
Neil
 
Business case: Price of 2 x 12 L fuel vs a visit to the Kia garage?

If the fuels is bad (which isn't very common in the EU) I'd use it for something not sensitive or expensive like a lawn mower.
 
I would probably say its ok to add to your car diluting it with good fuel.. I used up about 50L of old petrol this way in my Audi a couple of years ago.. I just added 10-15L to each full tank so it was mixed with new petrol.. I don't know if my old petrol had any issues but didn't want to find out a few miles out to sea so burned it through the car.. Car had no issues..
 
Thanks all - my car mechanic friend ust advised not to, so i'll not risk it. I'll see if there are any facilities I can ditch it.

thanks again,
Neil
 
I agree with spi D that a lawnmower would be best to use the fuel in as it would likely run just fine but you don't want to find yourself broken down if you risk putting it into your car.
 
Not a good idea to use old fuel in a modern engine. There are lots of sensors trying to optimise the emissions and performance. I have tried old petrol in my Suffolk Punch, but it wasn't very happy with it. Ditch the fuel is the best advice.
 
Assuming it's not 2 stroke mix, I would chuck it in your car. It may have lost a little of its oomph, but it won't do any harm. Stick 5 litres in each time you fill up and it will soon be gone. If you were nearer, I would gladly take it off your hands.
 
rafiki_ said:
Not a good idea to use old fuel in a modern engine. There are lots of sensors trying to optimise the emissions and performance. I have tried old petrol in my Suffolk Punch, but it wasn't very happy with it. Ditch the fuel is the best advice.
Click to expand...

These very sensors will actually help as they should notice the very tiny drop in the cetane value of the old fuel mixed with new, if it is even detectable, and adjust things accordingly.
 
CLB said:
These very sensors will actually help as they should notice the very tiny drop in the cetane value of the old fuel mixed with new, if it is even detectable, and adjust things accordingly.
Click to expand...

All well and good until you get a MIL light, where a sensor has detected an out of limits event. As post #2 says, £20 of old fuel v £a lot more for visiting the Stealer. It is ll right advising someone else. What next for you skip?
 
Don't put it in the car. We did this last year and the car really didn't appreciate it in the slightest.

Had to have the fuel system cleaned through and run a few tanks of fresh fuel through it before it was back to normal again.
 
This has come up on here before. There doesn't seem to be an absolute 100% sure answer.

Just leaves the question of how to dispose of it safely if you don't fancy chancing your arm with the car, and you don't know anyone with a motor mower.

Which is why I've got 5 litres of stale 50-1 two stroke stuck in my garden shed :)
 
CX54WEK said:
Don't put it in the car. We did this last year and the car really didn't appreciate it in the slightest.

Had to have the fuel system cleaned through and run a few tanks of fresh fuel through it before it was back to normal again.
Click to expand...

What in earth did you put in your car? A bit of less than fresh fuel, mixed at a ratio of 10:1 with fresh is not going to lead to needing a fuel system clean.
 
rafiki_ said:
All well and good until you get a MIL light, where a sensor has detected an out of limits event. As post #2 says, £20 of old fuel v £a lot more for visiting the Stealer. It is ll right advising someone else. What next for you skip?
Click to expand...

I have done it loads of times with lots of different cars. I have even (and this I wouldn't recommend) got rid of old two stroke in this way. Never had an engine light come on, and never had any mechanical or performance issues as a result.

Perhaps I should offer my services as a disposal point for you all. I could even charge you for the privilege :D
 
I was going to offer as well, but I'm not sure if my plan would count as "safe disposal", as it would involve a pile of wood in the field out back, and a carefully aimed time-expired pyrotechnic.
 
CLB said:
What in earth did you put in your car? A bit of less than fresh fuel, mixed at a ratio of 10:1 with fresh is not going to lead to needing a fuel system clean.
Click to expand...

About £20 worth of petrol that had been sat in the outboards remote fuel tank for six months or so.

Car did not appreciate it in the slightest.

Definitely won't do it again.
 
Your Marina will probably have a used oil/fuel barrel. Some tips (sorry, recycling centres) also have disposal, but more likely you leave your can of fuel/oil.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top