Originally Posted By: Oldtom
I store my small engine gas in Eagle metal safety cans and add a half ounce of Pri - G fuel stabilizer to each 5 gallon can. I use the gas within 6 months of purchase. With all those precautions, you would think I would have zero ethanol problems. I had a riding mower that sat for 6 weeks outdoors covered with tarps and filled with stabilized gas. Today I went to use it and the smell of spoiled gas was overpowering. I drained the tank, refilled with E zero gas and the mower fired up and ran fine. I am shocked that the gas spoiled when treated with Pri-G. Is there another stabilizer that works better? I am so [censored] about this I may start running E zero, but, it is $3.40 per gallon here.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
2 things observed:
(1) I would never use Pri-G, citing that they are one of the "scammiest" company/product ever marketed out there during the past 8+yrs and counting....
(2) you exposed your mower to the outside element, where are and moisture can and WILL sneak into your gas tank and deteriorate your gasoline, regardless of whether you have added fuel stabiliser additive or not.
Why? for takers, your OPE tank filler cap is not sealed and pressurised like automobile system does, so when gasoline expands and contracts during thermal fluctuations, it will suck in moisture and expel it's "essence" (the volatile portion of the gasoline, aka "vapour").
2nd: as the other posters stated: your carb orifice and jets, emulsion tube, etc. are exposed to the environment and gasoline vapours will get out into the atmosphere from those holes, along forming gum and varnish as it deteriorates inside the carb.
mowers and all OPEs should be stored indoors (garage or shed), in a dry, relatively low humidity and low temperature fluctuation environment, doped with fuel stabiliser, also geta sheet of thick clear plastic to cover over the fuel filler neck and then cap it tight. Install a fuel shutoff valve if possible, and then drain or run dry the carb afterwards. Lastly: I'd also strongly recommend the fogging of the engine before storage, to minimise the possibility of rust formation on valves, piston rings, cylinder wall, etc. and give it a light coating of oil film to protect.
YOur subject title is misleading. It should said: " gas turn bad when mower left outside exposed to elements...even with fuel stabiliser".
Q.
Oh and I almost forgot: you pretty much asking for trouble if you throw your mower or OPE outside exposing them to the element (moisture, condensation, etc.) even covered in tarb. Fact is, mosture will rise from the ground and get trapped underneath the tarp simply because tarp cannot let the moisture gets through. It's no different than,say, leaving it completely exposed to the rain, etc. Lastly: all exposed metal parts such as magneto coil laminates, flywheel metal portion, points, contact switches, etc. will corrode if you leave it outside.... leave it outside long enough and your engine is pretty much ruined.