Preventing Stale Fuel Damage
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: General Forums
Forum Name: The Boat Shed
Forum Description: Discuss all things boating.
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=80757
Printed Date: 06 Jun 2026 at 7:41pm
Topic: Preventing Stale Fuel Damage
Posted By: Reel Crusader
Subject: Preventing Stale Fuel Damage
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2012 at 6:31pm
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Over winter we often don't get out on our boats as much as we'd like for various reasons and I've heard a few sad stories about the negative effects of stale fuel on engines. I imagine this may be a more a common issue than it is common knowledge? Has anyone had any experience - good, bad or indifferent - with these types of fuel additives? Do they work? Does anyone have any other advice on dealing with stale fuel?
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Replies:
Posted By: Got-ya
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2012 at 7:49pm
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My understanding is that those types of additives need to be added when the fuel is fresh and will not help retore old fuel. ------------- THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF FISHERMAN, THOSE WHO FISH FOR SPORT AND THOSE THAT CATCH SOMETHING. |
Posted By: Jet_ski_fisher
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2012 at 8:16pm
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Just use all the fuel or if not pour it into the car when you have finished boating, unless you use the boat more offen, i give it a week 2 tops before i use it on the car... ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">  MH... Catch measure release...<*))))< |
Posted By: feijoa
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 12:54am
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How old is too old? What if its in a tote |
Posted By: Jet_ski_fisher
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 12:58am
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We use totes, 2 weeks and it's in the cars :) fresh is best i have free diesel for life but petrol cars and outboards do not run on diesel.. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> MH... Catch measure release...<*))))< |
Posted By: Tzer
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 6:35am
| Was told by mechanic that if the fuel was unused for some time siphon some of in the car and top up using 86 to bring the octane rating up |
Posted By: smelli
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 7:47am
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My mate in Hamilton uses Gull fuel as he noticed his fuel was going stale with not using it and he got told by boat shop to switch to Gull as doesnt seem to have the problem as is better quality fuel from singapore and now he doesnt have that problem He used to find that on the fuel from other stations it would be hard to start after a month or 2 (with new engine) but the Gull fuel he doesnt have that problem. |
Posted By: letsgetem
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 11:22am
| Fuel could be causing motor problems. This fills me with horror, and anger. This needs to be researched properly and made known. |
Posted By: Blue Asparagus
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 11:38am
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if I can offer one thing guys and that is to top off your tanks pure and simple, leave them half empty or is that half full they condensate, now the last time the boat was out i drained off some for the truck and filled with new stuff, worked a charm. ------------- Ultimate GAME Fishing Adventures. Northland |
Posted By: Arch
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 11:55am
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Had the same problems with my boat. Bought it 2nd hand but after a full service. Took it home and launched it for a tootle just to see if it floated and steered the right way. All those little things. Next went fishing in some depth and the bloody thing conked out on the way home. The air was bluer than the water. Re-started and barely idled home with the odd purge with the choke to kick some life into it. Booked in for another service which was late in happening.(like never). Finally the motor started doing it's thing properly and is now running sweet as. I put it down to stale gas. But a motor dying on a trip is far worse than not kicking into life at the ramp. Change your fuel. Doesn't get a chance to go stale now. |
Posted By: Orky
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 11:59am
| Have heard Gull fuel has higher octane than Marsden Point varieties even though it's marketed in the same ratings although has higher ethanol content. Be carefull with older motors/fuel systems as it can be hard on o-rings, hoses, primer bulbs etc. Some US marinas wont sell any fuel with ethanol content. Have seen postings on US websites of people driving miles to find old school fuel for their beloved two strokes but I guess it's still dirt cheap compared to what we're stuck with! |
Posted By: Sufishent
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 12:46pm
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There was a thread on this a while ago - http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/ethanol-blended-fuel_topic52373.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/ethanol-blended-fuel_topic52373.html ------------- You can never have enough fishing tackle |
Posted By: Big -Dave
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 2:24pm
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I have often used fairly old fuel, sometimes up tyo a year old and never had a problem. Maybe I have been lucky. Never run my motors hard out for any length of time, never had hard starting always run a water seperator and check it after a short run if the boat has been sitting for ages. So apart from water, what exactly are the problems you expect to encounter using old fuel? I have heard of cars refusing to start on old fuel, but then going as soon as new fuel is put in. I had an old telstar sitting in my drive for 2 years, put a battery in it, started it up no worries, and took it for a drive, no lack of power, no rough running... When I had older 2 smokes they ran on old fuel just fine. |
Posted By: Jet_ski_fisher
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 2:32pm
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Sufishent Use of Gull Force 10 and Gull Regular Plus in boat engines and outboard motors is not recommended. ... we use 91 and thing's are fine. there was one mercury boat owner that was using 10 and hate to see what his engine would be like to run on it.. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> MH... Catch measure release...<*))))< |
Posted By: smelli
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 3:13pm
Correct when like the article says it is for there force 10 & 96 not suitable for outboards --- can ONLY use 91 fuel from Gull in boats.... |
Sufishent wrote:Posted By: Blue Asparagus
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 6:36pm
sorry bro I doubled up on what you said.  ------------- Ultimate GAME Fishing Adventures. Northland |
Posted By: krow
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 6:56pm
| I've never had any issues with the high octane stuff but certainly had some 91 go off after lots of months. |