Just trying to revive my generator. Five years without starting. Bought a
new carb from Amazon (20€). Mechanic says "change that petrol, it's gone
off".

I've drained the tank and will take the genny to the petrol dispensary
later.

But do I really have to dispose of these 20 or so litres of juice?

I have my doubts.

--
Paul.

https://paulc.es/elpatio

On Tuesday, 17 May 2022 at 14:57:17 UTC+1, Paul Carmichael wrote:
> Just trying to revive my generator. Five years without starting. Bought a
> new carb from Amazon (20€). Mechanic says "change that petrol, it's gone
> off".
>
> I've drained the tank and will take the genny to the petrol dispensary
> later.
>
> But do I really have to dispose of these 20 or so litres of juice?
>
> I have my doubts.

I suspect it will have degraded a little. But does it have to be disposed of?

Well, I wouldn't dispose of it. I'd use it to 'dilute' fresh petrol or would stick it
in a car.

I recently 'got hold'[1] of about 600l of heating oil that was at least 10 years
old. I added about 400l of this to my tank (that had 200l in it). It worked
perfectly well, the burner burnt cleanly with no issues.

[1] Someone wanted an old oil tank emptied and removed. So I did this for the
contents of the tank.

Paul Carmichael wrote:
> Just trying to revive my generator. Five years without starting. Bought a
> new carb from Amazon (20€). Mechanic says "change that petrol, it's gone
> off".
>
> I've drained the tank and will take the genny to the petrol dispensary
> later.
>
> But do I really have to dispose of these 20 or so litres of juice?
>
> I have my doubts.

I recently started a bike (GSXR750) which had been laid up for six
years, using the fuel that had sat in it (no additives etc).
It started straight up and was ridden to the MOT place (and then to a
petrol station) and ran fine.

Fuel injection rather than carbs, though.

El Tue, 17 May 2022 07:08:53 -0700, Stephen Packer escribió:

> On Tuesday, 17 May 2022 at 14:57:17 UTC+1, Paul Carmichael wrote:
>> Just trying to revive my generator. Five years without starting. Bought
>> a new carb from Amazon (20€). Mechanic says "change that petrol, it's
>> gone off".
>>
>> I've drained the tank and will take the genny to the petrol dispensary
>> later.
>>
>> But do I really have to dispose of these 20 or so litres of juice?
>>
>> I have my doubts.
>
> I suspect it will have degraded a little. But does it have to be
> disposed of?
>
> Well, I wouldn't dispose of it. I'd use it to 'dilute' fresh petrol or
> would stick it in a car.

I'm thinking 50/50 once we get it started. I'll be starting it once a
week like I should have been since 5 years ago, so it ain't going to use
a lot.

I bought it for 700€ 5/6 years ago because I took the house off-grid.
It's 6kW so big enough, but damned noisy.

I thought about selling it as I rigged a secret cable to my other house
for the couple of cloudy weeks we get per year, but recently I'm thinking
an all-out nuclear war may just hinder electrical distribution a tad.

PS: Now thinking the car option may be better as I'm sure my modern car
would be ok with it.

--
Paul.

https://paulc.es/elpatio

On 17 May 2022 13:57:15 GMT, Paul Carmichael <wibbleypants@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Just trying to revive my generator. Five years without starting. Bought a
>new carb from Amazon (20€). Mechanic says "change that petrol, it's gone
>off".
>
>I've drained the tank and will take the genny to the petrol dispensary
>later.
>
>But do I really have to dispose of these 20 or so litres of juice?
>
>I have my doubts.

Personally, on a low-performance engine: I'd just use it. For a
sportsbike on a trackday: maybe not.

Even if it smells of turps substitute instead of petrol, an engine
will usually burn it IME.

--

-Pip

Paul Carmichael wrote:

> Just trying to revive my generator. Five years without starting.
> Bought a new carb from Amazon (20€). Mechanic says "change that
> petrol, it's gone off".
>
> I've drained the tank and will take the genny to the petrol
> dispensary later.
>
> But do I really have to dispose of these 20 or so litres of juice?
>
> I have my doubts.

You could try decanting it first to remove any water (carbs don't like)
or rust/crud. Pouring through a coffee filter worked for me.

--

Geoff

On Tue, 17 May 2022 07:08:53 -0700 (PDT), Stephen Packer
<stephen.packer@gmail.com> wrote:

>I recently 'got hold'[1] of about 600l of heating oil

>[1] Someone wanted an old oil tank emptied and removed. So I did this for the
>contents of the tank.

That's knocking on 600 quids worth atm!!!
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

On Wednesday, 18 May 2022 at 16:03:38 UTC+1, Champ wrote:
> On Tue, 17 May 2022 07:08:53 -0700 (PDT), Stephen Packer
> <stephen...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >I recently 'got hold'[1] of about 600l of heating oil
> >[1] Someone wanted an old oil tank emptied and removed. So I did this for the
> >contents of the tank.
> That's knocking on 600 quids worth atm!!!

Chap had some trouble getting it removed, others were trying to charge him
and the tank had started to leak so had to be drained. I guess most people
don't have access to large fuel containers (to transport it), or can take a
rusty old tank away and store it before cutting it up for scrap.

GeoffC wibbled:

> >
> > But do I really have to dispose of these 20 or so litres of juice?
> >
> > I have my doubts.
>
> You could try decanting it first to remove any water (carbs don't
> like) or rust/crud. Pouring through a coffee filter worked for me.

Surely just pouring the stuff into a big jar and giving it a decent
shake. The water should rise to the top (I think) and the petrol can be
syphoned into another container..

Then filter it through a coffee filter to remove the crap.

--
Cab
Z1000 and CB1300 and VeloSolex 3800

"Cab" <me@privacy.net> wrote in news:xn0ni0xtb1m0o7p000@www.rosbif.org:

> GeoffC wibbled:
>
>> >
>> > But do I really have to dispose of these 20 or so litres of juice?
>> >
>> > I have my doubts.
>>
>> You could try decanting it first to remove any water (carbs don't
>> like) or rust/crud. Pouring through a coffee filter worked for me.
>
> Surely just pouring the stuff into a big jar and giving it a decent
> shake. The water should rise to the top (I think) and the petrol can be
> syphoned into another container..
>
> Then filter it through a coffee filter to remove the crap.
>

are you in one of those alternate realities?

On 18/05/2022 22:15, wessie wrote:
> "Cab" <me@privacy.net> wrote in news:xn0ni0xtb1m0o7p000@www.rosbif.org:
>
>> Surely just pouring the stuff into a big jar and giving it a decent
>> shake. The water should rise to the top (I think) and the petrol can be
>> syphoned into another container..
>>
>> Then filter it through a coffee filter to remove the crap.
>
> are you in one of those alternate realities?

Australia?

Stephen Packer wrote:

> Well, I wouldn't dispose of it. I'd use it to 'dilute' fresh petrol
> or would stick it in a car.

+1

As long as it doesn't smell like gloss paint it's usable.

--
Simon

On 19/05/2022 00:13, Mike Fleming wrote:
> On 18/05/2022 22:15, wessie wrote:
>> "Cab" <me@privacy.net> wrote in news:xn0ni0xtb1m0o7p000@www.rosbif.org:
>>
>>> Surely just pouring the stuff into a big jar and giving it a decent
>>> shake. The water should rise to the top (I think) and the petrol can be
>>> syphoned into another container..
>>>
>>> Then filter it through a coffee filter to remove the crap.
>>
>> are you in one of those alternate realities?
>
> Australia?

That was going to be my response - but you beat me to it!
I'm still not sure whether it was "bait or gaff"*?

Chris
*New game show idea?

--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550t
http://www.Deuchars.org.uk

El Wed, 18 May 2022 21:09:57 +0000, Cab escribió:

> GeoffC wibbled:
>
>
>> > But do I really have to dispose of these 20 or so litres of juice?
>> >
>> > I have my doubts.
>>
>> You could try decanting it first to remove any water (carbs don't like)
>> or rust/crud. Pouring through a coffee filter worked for me.
>
> Surely just pouring the stuff into a big jar and giving it a decent
> shake. The water should rise to the top (I think) and the petrol can be
> syphoned into another container..
>
> Then filter it through a coffee filter to remove the crap.

I remember being told by the owner of aa petrol station that all
undergound fuel tanks had water at the bottom (it sinks) to keep the
petrol from leeching through. This may have just been an excuse for his
selling petrol with water in it.

--
Paul.

https://paulc.es/elpatio

On Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 4:54:04 PM UTC+1, Paul Carmichael wrote:

> I remember being told by the owner of aa petrol station that all
> undergound fuel tanks had water at the bottom (it sinks) to keep the
> petrol from leeching through. This may have just been an excuse for his
> selling petrol with water in it.

A standard part of pre-flight checks on a piston aircraft is to drain a small
amount of fuel from the low point on each fuel tank and the fuel system and
have a look at it in a clear tube. If it's blue, it's petrol and you're good to go
(assuming avgas). If it's clear, it's water and you're very likely to get a
disturbing lack of noise shortly after take off.

--
WUN

On 19/05/2022 15:38, ChrisND @UKRM wrote:
> On 19/05/2022 00:13, Mike Fleming wrote:
>> On 18/05/2022 22:15, wessie wrote:
>>> "Cab" <me@privacy.net> wrote in news:xn0ni0xtb1m0o7p000@www.rosbif.org:
>>>
>>>> Surely just pouring the stuff into a big jar and giving it a decent
>>>> shake. The water should rise to the top (I think) and the petrol can be
>>>> syphoned into another container..
>>>>
>>>> Then filter it through a coffee filter to remove the crap.
>>>
>>> are you in one of those alternate realities?
>>
>> Australia?
>
> That was going to be my response - but you beat me to it!
> I'm still not sure whether it was "bait or gaff"*?
>
> Chris
> *New game show idea?

That's cruel, the thing with a hook on it is a gaff and a mistake is a
gaffe, so bait or gaff or gaffe?

On 18/05/2022 22:09, Cab wrote:
> GeoffC wibbled:
>
>>>
>>> But do I really have to dispose of these 20 or so litres of juice?
>>>
>>> I have my doubts.
>>
>> You could try decanting it first to remove any water (carbs don't
>> like) or rust/crud. Pouring through a coffee filter worked for me.
>
> Surely just pouring the stuff into a big jar and giving it a decent
> shake. The water should rise to the top (I think) and the petrol can be
> syphoned into another container..
>
> Then filter it through a coffee filter to remove the crap.
>

Uh, I think you've been doing that ethanol removal thing all wrong.
Unless your little bicycle thing runs on water and you like chucking
petrol away.

--
/Simon

On Thu, 19 May 2022 09:24:23 -0700 (PDT), WUN <nigel.eaton@gmail.com>
wrote:

>A standard part of pre-flight checks on a piston aircraft is to drain a small
>amount of fuel from the low point on each fuel tank and the fuel system and
>have a look at it in a clear tube. If it's blue, it's petrol and you're good to go
>(assuming avgas).

I love the blue-ness of avgas :-) When I add the two stroke oil, it
then turns purple!

>If it's clear, it's water and you're very likely to get a
>disturbing lack of noise shortly after take off.

heh.
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

Paul Carmichael wibbled:

> > Surely just pouring the stuff into a big jar and giving it a decent
> > shake. The water should rise to the top (I think) and the petrol
> > can be syphoned into another container..
> >
> > Then filter it through a coffee filter to remove the crap.
>
> I remember being told by the owner of aa petrol station that all
> undergound fuel tanks had water at the bottom (it sinks) to keep the
> petrol from leeching through. This may have just been an excuse for
> his selling petrol with water in it.

Yeah, I couldn't remember whether it sank or floated. But you're right.

--
Cab
Z1000 and CB1300 and VeloSolex 3800

siwilson wibbled:

> > Surely just pouring the stuff into a big jar and giving it a decent
> > shake. The water should rise to the top (I think) and the petrol
> > can be syphoned into another container..
> >
> > Then filter it through a coffee filter to remove the crap.
> >
>
> Uh, I think you've been doing that ethanol removal thing all wrong.
> Unless your little bicycle thing runs on water and you like chucking
> petrol away.

Heheh, I got it the wrong way round. Or indeed, I have the only water
powered motorised bicycle in the world.

--
Cab
Z1000 and CB1300 and VeloSolex 3800

On 19/05/2022 17:36, Mike Fleming wrote:
>On 19/05/2022 15:38, ChrisND @UKRM wrote:
>> On 19/05/2022 00:13, Mike Fleming wrote:
>>> On 18/05/2022 22:15, wessie wrote:
>>>> "Cab" <me@privacy.net> wrote in news:xn0ni0xtb1m0o7p000@www.rosbif.org:
>>>>
>>>>> Surely just pouring the stuff into a big jar and giving it a decent
>>>>> shake. The water should rise to the top (I think) and the petrol can be
>>>>> syphoned into another container..
>>>>>
>>>>> Then filter it through a coffee filter to remove the crap.
>>>>
>>>> are you in one of those alternate realities?
>>>
>>> Australia?
>>
>> That was going to be my response - but you beat me to it!
>> I'm still not sure whether it was "bait or gaff"*?
>>
>> Chris
>> *New game show idea?
>
>That's cruel, the thing with a hook on it is a gaff and a mistake is a
>gaffe, so bait or gaff or gaffe?
>
Hmmm.... Quite so...
There could be a whole different game show...
C

--
XV750SE & GS550T

On Thu, 19 May 2022 15:54:01 +0000, Paul Carmichael wrote:

> I remember being told by the owner of aa petrol station that all
> undergound fuel tanks had water at the bottom (it sinks) to keep the
> petrol from leeching through. This may have just been an excuse for his
> selling petrol with water in it.

Petrol station tanks do tend to have water at the bottom although I was
told it just slowly built up over time. The one I worked at had dipsticks
to measure the current fill level and there was a compound you could smear
over the bottom few inches which changed colour in water. Had to do it
occasionally when someone came in claiming their car had stalled and there
was water in the tank after they filled up.

The take-off point from the tank is not right at the bottom; as long as
the water measurement on the dipstick is an acceptable distance from the
take-off point then you're good to go.

I didn't work there long enough to find out how the water was emptied out
but a suitable hose and pump would seem the obvious way to go.

Scion <a.b@nospam.invalid> wrote in news:t6lrrf$fv0$1@dont-email.me:

> On Thu, 19 May 2022 15:54:01 +0000, Paul Carmichael wrote:
>
>> I remember being told by the owner of aa petrol station that all
>> undergound fuel tanks had water at the bottom (it sinks) to keep the
>> petrol from leeching through. This may have just been an excuse for
>> his selling petrol with water in it.
>
> Petrol station tanks do tend to have water at the bottom although I
> was told it just slowly built up over time.

this - air entering the tank as fuel is dispensed will contain water
vapour. This will condense in the cold bunker and settle to the bottom

> The one I worked at had
> dipsticks to measure the current fill level and there was a compound
> you could smear over the bottom few inches which changed colour in
> water. Had to do it occasionally when someone came in claiming their
> car had stalled and there was water in the tank after they filled up.
>
> The take-off point from the tank is not right at the bottom; as long
> as the water measurement on the dipstick is an acceptable distance
> from the take-off point then you're good to go.
>
> I didn't work there long enough to find out how the water was emptied
> out but a suitable hose and pump would seem the obvious way to go.
>

there is a statutory maintenance programme. The former grocer told me about
this when he was in a more rational phase of his corporate droning.

On Thursday, 26 May 2022 at 13:05:29 UTC+1, wessie wrote:

> there is a statutory maintenance programme. The former grocer told me about
> this when he was in a more rational phase of his corporate droning.

I think I read somewhere that he's become responsible for the charger roll
out in his particular organisation?

Is that what you meant by 'phase' or am I getting confused?

Stephen Packer <stephen.packer@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Thursday, 26 May 2022 at 13:05:29 UTC+1, wessie wrote:
>
>> there is a statutory maintenance programme. The former grocer told me about
>> this when he was in a more rational phase of his corporate droning.
>
> I think I read somewhere that he's become responsible for the charger roll
> out in his particular organisation?
>
> Is that what you meant by 'phase' or am I getting confused?

Wye do you ask? It does seem to be a significant delta to
the trajectory of his career, though.

--
FJR1300A, GL1000, KLR650A6F, EX250J9A, DR200SE, Vespa Ciao