i recently returned to motocross after a long time off, and in doing so, it got me thinking about my scoobys health!
reason being that when i bought myself a mx bike, the shop i got it from advised i drain the fuel and put fresh in as it had stood for about six weeks and would be stale.

my scoob only comes out in in the better weather, and then only for a fun drive out, so between fill ups it can be upto six weeks or more!

with this in mind, i was wondering if the petrol could have any effect on my cars health due to the length of time its in the tank?
i always use shell v power.
any advise is welcomed....cheers.

 

it'll be fine for a few months at least. i think unleaded is fine for about 6 months at most, and diesel longer than that.

Or at least thats what someone told me last time we had a fuel crisis and i filled some containers up

 

it does go off, but takes a long time.

yrs ago an old tr7 was dumped round our way in a field area, about 2 yrs went by, 1 day, being bored we decided to skank the fuel from it, we broke the fuel line underneath so a nice trickle was happening, caught some of it and it was like water, it kept on comin from the car naturally, about 20 mins later we smelt neat fuel so my mate swung a piece of straw that had been lit at one end, like a cigarette looks, anyway, whoosh,whole tank went up ha ha ha

that`ll be fuel then !

 

thanks mate.
i can sleep easy again!

 

I heard Optimax/V-Power does go off

 

It goes off but not too fast. I was rebuilding my landy which took most of summer. Started on the button and didn't have any problems on the fuel... ok its not a modern engine, but you shouldn't damage anything..

 

Steve is right when he says 6 months is about right before petrol deteriorates to a point where it will affect starting and running. The bigger worry however is the slow evaporation/ deterioration of petrol in carburettors/ injectors etc as it leaves a hard residue rather like brown Araldite which is what can cause you real problems. For this reason I always start and run up to temp any petrol equipment I have every 4 to 6 weeks (mower, bike, chainsaw etc) if they are not being used. I prefer this to draining the petrol out (who can be bothered?).
Kevin

 

It does got off and leave's tarnish and gum in the fuel system - lost count of the amount of bike carbs ive stripped and cleaned out to get them to run/tick-over right (especially on Jap Import bikes)
A dose of Octaine Booster will help stabilise the fuel if the car/bike is stood for any length of time.

Mick

 

As said, yes it does but not as quick your two stroke fuel will. No oil to separate from fuel..

 

sorted then! scoob stays in garage, cosy and dry till better weather.
bike gets ragged round the track regardless of conditions!
same buzz, different toy!!!
thanks all........jeff