What to do with unused petrol?

[EugeneR]

We're in the process of selling one of our boats as we are not using her enough. In fact, she's been on the hard for the last 12 months and hasn't seen more than 20 or so hours of use the year before that. As a result, she has around 200 liters of petrol which could be anywhere between 12 and 24 months old. I am told that this could cause performance issues which I do not want to have to worry about, given the sea trial. So, what is the best way to get rid of it?

Sadly, I won't have the opportunity to blast around the Island before the sea trial, otherwise I would have, and although my car has always taken old petrol mixed with fresh, I won't do that much driving in the next week.

Assuming this is sensible, I'd be happy for someone to collect it for free (boat on the Hamble) - this or next week some time - as long as they remove all of it and help me put 50 liters or so back into the boat (I will pay for the new fuel).

Alternatively, any suggestions for how I can get rid of it?

 

[SEARANGER ANCASTER]

We're in the process of selling one of our boats as we are not using her enough. In fact, she's been on the hard for the last 12 months and hasn't seen more than 20 or so hours of use the year before that. As a result, she has around 200 liters of petrol which could be anywhere between 12 and 24 months old. I am told that this could cause performance issues which I do not want to have to worry about, given the sea trial. So, what is the best way to get rid of it?

Sadly, I won't have the opportunity to blast around the Island before the sea trial, otherwise I would have, and although my car has always taken old petrol mixed with fresh, I won't do that much driving in the next week.

Assuming this is sensible, I'd be happy for someone to collect it for free (boat on the Hamble) - this or next week some time - as long as they remove all of it and help me put 50 liters or so back into the boat (I will pay for the new fuel).

Alternatively, any suggestions for how I can get rid of it?

Mix it with fresh petrol and add some octane booster , it will be fine

 

[maby]

I've disposed of small quantities by pouring it into the used engine oil container at the marina, but I don't think they would be particularly happy receiving 200 litres into there.

 

[prv]

I have a mate who runs a small speedboat on a shoestring and I'm sure would be delighted with some free petrol. He works irregular hours so could probably manage any time convenient to you.

Maybe someone will suggest a better option, but if you decide to go with this approach let me know and I'll put you in touch.

Pete

 

[epervier]

mix it with some fresh it'll be fine, or take it out and mix it with your cars petrol tank, I did type petrol, not good advice if you drive a diesel vehicle

 

[sarabande]

Sorry to pour cold water on your suggestions, team. The forum seems to be concentrating on the practicalities of this problem, and adopting a cavalier attitude to the risks and legal position.

if you extract it from the boat, you are going to have issues with bulk storage and transport unless you do it clandestinely.

Think max 5 litres petrol permitted in a marked can in a car at one time. That's 40 trips to your big petrol tank somewhere else.

You might contact one of the petrol/diesel mixup franchise people for advice on removing 200l; they have the right kit and insurance.

http://wrongfueluk.com/

http://www.fuelmedic.co.uk/?gclid=CIaT1oWc_78CFfOhtAodNGsAtA

The consequences of an oildrum full of petrol being involved in an accident are significant.

 

[rbcoomer]

Not a dilemma I've ever had as even water contaminated fuel gets separated and Wynn's Dry Fuel added!

If you are going to transport it, then ideally do it 80/90L at a time via car fuel tank - not much the H&S mob can do about that provided you transfer it in/out sensibly! It also means 2 or 3 trips rather than dozens! The business of 10L container limitation is a crassly stupid and ill considered regulation - even most forecourts accept that. A half full 20L container is more dangerous than a full one. Those of us who run small petrol boats have little choice but to ignore/bend rules or cost becomes prohibitive, but I would suggest no more than 20L per container and only metal/polyurethane cans/tanks designed for purpose. Be aware that filling your garage with said containers is also illegal however (and risky! )

 

[wipe_out]

I would help but I only have four 10L cans to put it into.. Could probably put 20L straight into the car to mix with the fresher stuff but that's still only 60L odd total you have got out.. Still 140L to go..

I had to drain out 200L from our boat at the beginning of the year by filing the car.. It was fresh enough so didn't need mixing with new petrol but took ages to burn through it.. Really highlighted how much the boat drinks..

 

[burgundyben]

Think max 5 litres petrol permitted in a marked can in a car at one time.

Halfords sell 10 and 20ltr cans...

 

[ProDave]

if you extract it from the boat, you are going to have issues with bulk storage and transport unless you do it clandestinely.

Think max 5 litres petrol permitted in a marked can in a car at one time. That's 40 trips to your big petrol tank somewhere else.

I had this discussion at our sailing club as to why the fuel store is full of lots and lots of 1 gallon petrol cans. I questioned why not fewer 5 gallon jerry cans?

The answer was you can only transport one 5 litre jerry can in a car, but there is bizarely no limit on the number of 1 gallon cans you can fill and transport in one go.

 

[prv]

My friend runs site generators - mostly big diesel ones, but I think occasionally petrol too. He also, as mentioned, has a petrol boat which he needs to fill up.

He therefore owns several "dedicated tanks for portable equipment"

Pete

 

[Bbroomlea]

I'd put some high octane fuel in - 99ron from Shell or similar and a couple of bottles of redex. I doubt there will be any performance issues. There are numerous boats in our marina with petrol much older than that in their tanks and the engines still run the odd occasion they start and use them.