Bad gas in 4 wheeler
#1
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Bad gas in 4 wheeler
I have bad fuel (we dont know what the heck it is in that gas can!) In my 4 wheeler and I am an old grandmother but I believe I could follow directions. Is there a video out there for novices who dont know the proper names for the parts?
I know I'm asking alot but any advice (other than Lady, just take it to the shop) would be a wonderful thing!
I know I'm asking alot but any advice (other than Lady, just take it to the shop) would be a wonderful thing!
#2
Member
How long has the gas been in the 4 wheeler? Does it run? Assuming you want to get the old gas out of it, look for the fuel tank, at the bottom you should see a fuel line (black rubber tubing) likely coming from a small valve.
You might need to use some pliers to slide a coupling along the tubing, then remove it from the valve, have a container ready, with the tube removed you should be able to drain the old gas out of it.
If it's not running, then post some more details on what it's doing, does it start at all? Does it crank but not start? What's the make and model of it? Without that information it will be tough to really help
You might need to use some pliers to slide a coupling along the tubing, then remove it from the valve, have a container ready, with the tube removed you should be able to drain the old gas out of it.
If it's not running, then post some more details on what it's doing, does it start at all? Does it crank but not start? What's the make and model of it? Without that information it will be tough to really help
#5
Member
Try to empty fuel tanks for engines that are not going to be used for a long time period as much as possible before storing them. I can tell you from experience that old gasoline left for a 2 year period will require a lot of chemical flushing to get it clean again.
#6
Forum Topic Moderator
old thread but I'll add my 2¢ anyway
I rarely drain tanks at the end of a season although I will run it dry when feasible. I always add StaBil to the last tank of fuel. That keeps the fuel usable until you are ready for it again.
I rarely drain tanks at the end of a season although I will run it dry when feasible. I always add StaBil to the last tank of fuel. That keeps the fuel usable until you are ready for it again.
#7
Member
I have become a believer in Stabil after talking to several neighbors who I usually had to help them get machines started every spring, (or winter if snow machine) They bought it at mower shops and are swearing by it, and I can believe it due to the lack of dead machines headed my way after the first snow storm, or first warm day in the spring.
#8
Funny this post was resurrected. My son's Cub Cadet 46" rider that was not started (nor stored or properly taken care of) for over two years and not used since his stroke. Of course the battery was dead. This past week we replaced battery pulled the carb and air hosed cleaned it and reinstalled it. Only fuel we had handy at the time was 5 gal of two year old gas. Might have been treated but it was the color of pee. The guy next door (who rebuilds boat engines) said use it. If the carb is OK the damn thing will start. And sure enough it did and runs very smooth.
So that said, are we wasting our time running the carbs dry and treating the gas? I'll continue to drain the tanks and run the carb dry, but you got to wonder.
So that said, are we wasting our time running the carbs dry and treating the gas? I'll continue to drain the tanks and run the carb dry, but you got to wonder.
#9
are we wasting our time running the carbs dry and treating the gas?
2 year old gas will always be, well 2 year old gas and will still burn, but it's not going to be the highly refine product it was when new!
Old gas contains gum and varnish, impurities that do not play nice with the carbs and injection systems.
Don't need to run tanks dry, just use a little stabilizer and your good till next season!
#10
Forum Topic Moderator
Old habits die hard. I've always run my small engines dry at the end of the season but about 10 yrs ago I started adding Stabil at the end of the season. If for some reason I don't run that tank dry it's still protected. Unless I've got a lot of cutting ahead of me I usually add it to my chainsaw gas [I use them yr around but sometimes go months without using one] I figure it's cheap insurance.
While I wouldn't think twice about using old gas in my truck I'd be leery of using it in a small engine.
While I wouldn't think twice about using old gas in my truck I'd be leery of using it in a small engine.
#11
While I wouldn't think twice about using old gas in my truck I'd be leery of using it in a small engine.
#13
I'd be very leery of putting old gas into the tank
Plus, what would you do to dispose!
#14
Member
Should to mention that THIS DOES depend on WHERE you're getting gasoline.
IIRC, gasoline sold in -Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington- is E10, that means 2% ethanol.
Basically, used year round, that's enough ethanol passing through the fuel system to remove any residual water from the gas, AND enough C2-H5-OH by weight, to dissolve any gum and varnish.
IIRC, gasoline sold in -Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington- is E10, that means 2% ethanol.
Basically, used year round, that's enough ethanol passing through the fuel system to remove any residual water from the gas, AND enough C2-H5-OH by weight, to dissolve any gum and varnish.
Norm201
voted this post useful.
#15
Plus, what would you do to dispose!
#16
Basically, used year round, that's enough ethanol passing through the fuel system to remove any residual water from the gas, AND enough C2-H5-OH by weight, to dissolve any gum and varnish.
#17
Member
I hope that I previously mentioned that my BAD GOSOLINE experience involved a Generator left in a condo for emergency sump pump service got neglected (the gasoline was left in it for a few years) For Reasons I am sure not proud of, and since the Condo got sold. The gasoline basically dried up into an inpenetratable crust that I had to call you guys for help on to remove. (white vinegar, screen door chain, repeat and repeat until clean I think lol. So I don't know if Stabil will dry up too, but I can assure you that more than two years of storage, and you are asking for it. I never want to have to do that with a fuel tank again.
#18
My first and hopefully only problem with old gas was also in a generator that was left unused for a whole winter season. Not as bad as your situation, but I had to replace the carburetor. So now I run it dry after every startup. It's just a turn of the fuel valve.
#19
Member
Originally Posted by Marq1
Plus, what would you do to dispose!
Originally Posted by Norm201
Originally Posted by Hal
Basically, used year round, that's enough ethanol passing through the fuel system to remove any residual water from the gas, AND enough C2-H5-OH by weight, to dissolve any gum and varnish.
They're left outside in the elements on the trailer, or at best they're parked in an unheated garage where they cool down and condensation forms.
It soaks up the water AND seems to keep the E10 ethanol gasoline from eating the seals and gaskets. However, those 2 stroke engines from twenty years ago are generally cheap and have been replaced by new motors that do fine with E10.
The only people I know who Stihl use 20 year old 2 stroke engines are arborists and tree surgeons, guys who really, really know their tools and argue about the fine points of the steel housing versus the new cr#$!) with the plastic housing.
#20
Eh, just saying, that's when you borrow your brother-in-law's pressure washer..
To spray it or burn it? Just asking!!
#21
Member
i wondered about that too... i have a pressure washer, if burning is the answer, I want to see a video of that process!!!