Gasoline storage

[HenryJ]

Found this article and thought I would share it here:

Information on GASOLINE STORAGE from Chevron.com

Chevron gasoline can be stored for a year without deterioration when the storage conditions are good -- a tightly closed container and moderate temperatures.

Most gasoline is used within a week or two of purchase. But there are occasions when gasoline is kept longer. Examples are gasoline stored to fuel small-engine equipment or to provide a backup supply for a vehicle. Also gasoline left in the tank of a boat stored for the winter or a snowmobile stored for the summer.

Chevron recommends that gasoline not be stored unnecessarily. A supply that won't be needed for several months should be used and replenished when the need reoccurs. Gasoline that is in good condition can be added to the fuel tank of a gasoline-fueled car or truck. (Don't dispose of gasoline-oil mixtures for two-stroke-cycle engines in this way.)

However, when storage is necessary, this bulletin describes how to do it properly and safely.

The term "container" is used collectively for storage cans and drums, storage tanks, and vehicle and equipment fuel tanks except when the discussion is specific to only one member of the class.


Recommended Storage Practices

This section presents storage recommendations of a general nature, followed by recommendations and comments for some specific uses or situations.

General Storage Recommendations

Three precautions will delay the deterioration of gasoline:

* Fill containers about 95% full.
* Cap containers tightly.
* Store containers out of direct sunlight in a location where the temperature stays below 80°F most of the time (a vehicle or piece of equipment with gasoline in the fuel tank may be stored in direct sunlight as long as the tank is shaded from the sun).

The first two actions reduce the evaporation of gasoline during storage and reduce the exposure of gasoline to air and water vapor. (See Background Information section.) The 5% air space allows room for the liquid gasoline to expand if its temperature rises.

If weather or storage conditions will keep the gasoline warmer than 80°F much of the time, add a fuel stabilizer additive to the gasoline. Fuel stabilizer additives are available at auto supply stores and some service stations and convenience stores. Follow the label directions. The best mixing is achieved when the stabilizer is added to the container before it is filled with gasoline. The stabilizer will work only if it is added to fresh gasoline; it can’t fix gasoline that has started to deteriorate.

Federal and California reformulated gasolines will survive storage as well or better than conventional gasoline.

Adding oil to gasoline doesn’t change its stability. Gasoline-oil mixtures for two-stroke-cycle engines will survive storage as well as gasoline itself.

Note: The volatility of gasoline is tailored for the range of temperatures expected in the locality where it is sold. Engines fueled with "summer gasoline" may be more difficult to start in cold weather. (See Volatility section.)

Storage Containers

Store gasoline only in a container clearly intended for the purpose.

One and two and five gallon containers should carry a sticker indicating they are approved for gasoline storage by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL). A plastic container has the advantage that it will not rust if the gasoline is contaminated with water or if the container is stored in a wet place.

A 60-gallon metal drum is the only container approved by the Uniform Fire Code for the storage of more than five gallons of gasoline.

The Uniform Fire Code limits the amount of gasoline in residential buildings to the amount "necessary for maintenance purposes and operation of equipment," not to exceed a maximum of 25 gallons.

Note that local Fire Department regulations may supersede the Uniform Fire Code. When storing more that five gallons of gasoline it is best to check with your local Fire Department for local regulations.

Do not store a container of gasoline near an ignition source such as an appliance pilot light.

Vehicles

This section applies to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and motor homes.

Follow the general storage recommendations.

If these recommendations can't be followed or if the gasoline was less-stable than Chevron gasoline, driveability problems (hesitation, lack of power) may be encountered after storage. The probable cause is gum deposits in the carburetor, on the injectors, or on the fuel filter/screen. Treating the gasoline in the vehicle’s tank with a deposit-control additive may remove the problem deposits. Deposit-control additive concentrates are available at service stations and auto supply stores. Techron Concentrate is Chevron's most effective general purpose deposit-control additive. Follow the label instructions. Follow the label directions. If driveability doesn’t improve by the time the additized fuel has been used, consult a mechanic. Chevron recommends the mechanic check the fuel filter and the screen (if any) in the fuel tank for plugging.

If driveability doesn't improve by the time the additized fuel has been used, consult a mechanic. Chevron recommends the mechanic check the fuel filter and the screen (if any) in the fuel tank for plugging.

Boats

Boats With In-Board Engines: Follow the general storage recommendations. Seal/close the tank vent if possible.

Boats With Outboard Engines: Follow the recommendations for small-engine equipment (below).

Boat fuel tanks are more likely to be contaminated with water for obvious reasons. Check the fuel tank before storing the boat. Pump out any water and dispose of it in an environmentally responsible way.

Water removal is particularly important for boats used in salt water and for boats fueled with gasoline oxygenated with ethyl alcohol. Salt water corrodes some metals. So does the alcohol-water layer that separates if gasoline containing ethyl alcohol is contaminated with more than one percent water.

Formulation changes that have occurred in the past five years — the addition of oxygenates and the reduction in benzene and other aromatics — have made gasolines more subject to microbial growth. Even if no water is detected, add a biocide to the gasoline in the fuel tank. Follow the label directions. The best mixing is achieved if the biocide is added to the tank before it is filled with gasoline. Biocide additives are available at marinas and boat supply stores.

Small-Engine Equipment

This section applies to outboard motors, jet skis, snowmobiles, and lawn-and-garden equipment.

The owner’s manuals of much small-engine equipment recommend that the gasoline be less than 30 days old. They also recommend that the equipment not be stored with gasoline in the fuel tank. The tank should be emptied and the equipment run until the fuel line and carburetor also are empty. Both recommendations are intended to protect essential fuel system parts from gum deposits. While Chevron gasoline is stable for much longer than 30 days, it is Chevron’s policy to defer to the recommendations of the equipment manufacturer.

Follow the fuel and storage recommendations in the owner’s manual for your equipment.

Even if it is not recommended, draining the fuel from the equipment is the preferred practice when it is easy to do.

If fuel is left in the equipment, follow the general storage recommendations.

Equipment with a two-stroke-cycle engine requires fuel that is a mixture of gasoline and oil. While this mixture is as stable as gasoline, Chevron recommends not preparing more than you can use in a month or two because disposing of any excess is not easy. The gasoline-oil mixture should not be added to the fuel tank of a gasoline-fueled four-stroke-cycle vehicle.

[04crewvt]

At $2.19/g my gasoline storage is my 12mpg K1500 34 gal tank.