how to tell if gas is mixed with oil

[GaryS]

I "found" a few gas cans in the garage and can no longer remember if they have straight gas or a mix. Is there anyway to tell?

I plan on mixing it with new gas and just burning it in the push mower - and concerns with me doing that?

gary

 

[J_J]

Sometimes you can tell by color. You can feel the oil if it is a oil/gas mix. If you do run it in a mower, and it does have oil in it, it will smoke a little.

 

[mdunaway]

we use a 2 cycle oil that dyes the mix blue-black on our golf course.havent seen any gas or diesel that color from the pump.

 

[RobS]

Unless it's MANY gallons, I'd not worry about it and dispose of it. Great bonfire starter! Some of my older machines, especially the two strokes, really like fresh mix.

 

[DieselPower]

Other than looking to see if the 2 cycle oil used had a dye or doing the "slippery finger" test a lab test would be the only real way. Personally I would just use it in the mower. The worst that will happen is it might foul the spark plug which can easily be cleaned.

 

[firemanpat2910]

add straight gas and dont ever give it another thought. PLEASE do not use it to start a BOMB FIRE!!!! Bon fires can be lit with some diesel or kerosine NEVER gasoline.

 

[vsteel]

I have a 1974 dodge power wagon that I pour the end of the year pre mix in. A 40 to one ratio turns into almost nothing when put in a 20 gallon tank.

 

[LBrown59]

I have a 1974 dodge power wagon that I pour the end of the year pre mix in. A 40 to one ratio turns into almost nothing when put in a 20 gallon tank.

That's how I have done it.

 

[mdunaway]

i second the do not burn gas suggestion.gas goes off too fast to really impart
good fire starting characteristics.besides,just too dangerous[dont ask how i know].you will be well served to start your fires using something oilier that burns rather than flashes.mixes of diesel and hydraulic stick to piles well.good luck and be safe. michael

 

[xlr82v2]

I "found" a few gas cans in the garage and can no longer remember if they have straight gas or a mix. Is there anyway to tell?

I plan on mixing it with new gas and just burning it in the push mower - and concerns with me doing that?

gary

Gary, here's the answer to your question.

Take a piece of white notebook paper, and put a drop of the gasoline on it. Then let the gas evaporate. If it is gasoline only (unmixed), then the paper will dry completely. If there is oil mixed in it, you will have an oil spot remaining on the paper after the gasoline has evaporated.

Good luck with it!

 

[greenmule]

If you don't know,[and its been setting around like you say],than use it for weed killer and mix up a fresh batch.

But you should be able to tell by the color.

 

[LBrown59]

But you should be able to tell by the color.

Any 2 cycle oil I've seen is either red or blue .
When mixed in gas it turns the gas red or blue.

 

[DieselPower]

I have also seen green and purple 2 cycle oils.

 

[Redneck in training]

Gary, here's the answer to your question.

Take a piece of white notebook paper, and put a drop of the gasoline on it. Then let the gas evaporate. If it is gasoline only (unmixed), then the paper will dry completely. If there is oil mixed in it, you will have an oil spot remaining on the paper after the gasoline has evaporated.

Good luck with it!

That is what I do too. But I also put a drop of straight gasoline side by side on the same piece of the paper to have a reference.

 

[LBrown59]

That is what I do too.
But I also put a drop of straight gasoline side by side on the same piece of the paper to have a reference.

Now that's a wise innovation.

 

[Happyman]

PLEASE do not use it to start a BOMB FIRE!!!! Bon fires can be lit with some diesel or kerosine NEVER gasoline.

Absolutley right!
The problem with gas is that it vaporizes quickly, unlike kerosene or diesel fuel. Those vapors can explode around you and you won't even know it's happening. Ever seen one of those fires in the pits at an Indy race? That's alcohol but is similiar to how gasoline can vaporize and ignite. Using gas to start fires is a huge no-no.
My dad was a fireman and has seen first hand what happens. It's not pretty

 

[DieselPower]

Absolutley right!
The problem with gas is that it vaporizes quickly, unlike kerosene or diesel fuel. Those vapors can explode around you and you won't even know it's happening. Ever seen one of those fires in the pits at an Indy race? That's alcohol but is similiar to how gasoline can vaporize and ignite. Using gas to start fires is a huge no-no.
My dad was a fireman and has seen first hand what happens. It's not pretty

I learned that lesson myself long ago. So did my eyebrows.

 

[vsteel]

Even though they recently stopped making it, Mobile's 2 stroke oil didn't have dye in it. I can't think of any others off of the top of my head that don't have a dye in them.

 

[GaryS]

Loved the paper suggestion. Turned out it was straight gas. I'll mix it with fresh and just use it.