Do you replace your old plastic fuel cans due to age?

[bcp]

I just discovered manufacturing dates on the bottom.

I'll be checking all mine soon. I suspect some might be near 15-20 years old. They have always been under cover and never in sunlight very long.

Is there any recommend replacement age? Replace only if they leak or the spout breaks?

Bruce

 

[4570Man]

I don't especially since the new EPA compliment cans. I'll only replace a can that leaks. If the spout breaks I'll do my best to find another one. I have started buying metal cans at yard sales. I've acquired 6. I've also bought 2 stainless steel tanks that will be used as fuel or hydraulic oil tanks on upcoming projects.

 

[Stubee]

I'd like to burn all my new 'compliant' pour spouts in efigy so I shepherd my old ones like the benign treasures they are. Need more.

 

[bcp]

My one EPA spout broke, so I replaced it with an old one. There are probably 10 cans, from 1 to 5 gallons. Some were new and some were from yard sales.

I just wonder if there is any hazard due to an old can splitting or falling apart. I can deal with a small leak, but don't want the bottom to fall out of 5 gallons of gasoline when I lift it.

Bruce

 

[k0ua]

No, I still have all that I have ever bought. They are never in sunlight for long or out in the weather. Other than some dust, they all look like new.

 

[GManBart]

You can buy replacement spouts at Tractor Supply that aren't EPA compliant, but conveniently fit both old and new cans....just saying!

If a can isn't leaking, keep using it.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I've never seen one get brittle or fail in any way, so....

I dunno, there must be a limit to their useful life, but whatever that useful life is, it's a lot longer than any metal can I've seen.

 

[dieselcrawler]

One of my newer cans, yellow diesel can, is delaminating around the top handle, but not leaking, so I still used it.

I only have a couple 1 gallon older cans with vents, you know, the good ones, left... I miss my 5 gallon ones, but they bit the dust years ago. They were nice, very square shaped, didn't tip over easy, fit nicely in the rear compartment of the utility bed on my truck... those were the good old days...

 

[newbury]

Yup, I'm replacing all my plastic fuel cans gradually as I age. I'm just to old to fine art around with the nozzles and occasionally cracking. I've two metal cans I've had for 40 years when I got them from my Grandfather. They were probably 10 to 20 years old by then.

 

[stuckmotor]

I don't know if this counts. One of mine was old and started leaking so, I replaced it.

 

[Garandman]

As I buy new I buy metal "safety cans" Have three. I vent the "EPA" cans and use the replacement nozzles. You pollute more with the EPA cans spilling everywhere. Idiotic.

Justrite 715 Type I Galvanized Steel Flammables Safety Can, 5 Gallon Capacity, Red: Hazardous Storage Cans: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

[oosik]

I have five fuel storage cans. Three old 5 gallon metal GI cans - bought in the mid-60's - still as good as when purchased. Two plastic ones - bought in '82 - stored under cover - still as good as when purchased. Any that should ever fail will be replaced with the standard metal GI fuel can. The metal GI cans are still available locally.

All my fuel cans are stored in an enclosed carport & off the ground on pallets. No rust, no condensation.

 

[drizler]

I run mine till they fully crack. I use them all the time and have absolutely no interest in those ridiculous over complicated and above all expensive cans. In real terms they do absolutely nothing the old ones wont and in real terms just don't work well. I have about 8 old ones and hoarded the caps from the few old ones that cracked. I did get a couple diesel cans . Those are ok although like all the new ones hold 5 gallons instead of 6. The spout on those like all the others is useless as hooters on a bull but I either siphon or direct dump all my gas / fuel into a filtered funnel. Those spring loaded dribble spouts are ok for a yuppie's lawn mower but for country folk they are an expensive travesty. :thumbdown:
Here is some advice for anyone wanting to get rid of their old ones, sell them on Craigs List. You will make a couple bucks and some guy like me will scarf them up fast.

 

[4570Man]

I've never seen one get brittle or fail in any way, so.... I dunno, there must be a limit to their useful life, but whatever that useful life is, it's a lot longer than any metal can I've seen.

plastic cans last longer than metal cans? That's the first time I've heard that.

 

[gwdixon]

Well, here is my story.

I had an old plastic 5 gallon can that was my favorite due to handling ease and spout construction. I was filling it on the ground and the nozzle seal on the filling nozzle (darn CA emission rules) sealed the spout and blew the plastic tank apart.

My wife was standing nearby and her legs and feet were sprayed with gas. The attendant hosed her down with some sort of solution in a 3 gallon garden sprayer. She had on some fancy shoes.

I don't want to go through the repercussions again!

 

[Zerk]

I have been buying retrofit spouts and vents. Add $10 to price. Just adding a vent is cheap and would help a lot I am sure.


5 gallons dumps incredibly fast. I forgot what it was like.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

plastic cans last longer than metal cans? That's the first time I've heard that.

I've seen many rusted metal gas cans. The old timers, the ones with a heavy galvanizing, seem to last forever, but not the newer ones.

 

[MF283]

Love my old 5 gallon, $6 plastic cans that actually hold 6 gallons. I do have one of those new fancy no spills, $30, it isn't to bad other than having to push the button.

Ronnie

 

[fidowanttobe]

I found an old square style Rubbermaid on the interstate that has never seen shade. LIGHT pink now. Added it to my collection of hoarded old style cans and never have a problem. My 5&6 gallon cans are still good but had to break down and buy 2 of the 1 gallon EPA garbage cans for mixed gas. CRAP CRAP CRAP. I'd like to hear of any options for this. Does the TSC nozzles work on the small cans too? (Do we still call them cans when they are plastic?)

 

[ArlyA]

Eagle gas cans, liked!

We use class III safety fuel cans at work. The one pictured is made by Eagle and cost about $70 on Amazon. These have held up to our abuse for 8 years and we've got 6 of them, some have fallen off and struck by the machine. Dented but held up fine and its still used today. I've liked these Eagle cans so well, I bought one for my personal use.

This pitcure was taken "live" as the machine operator was passing by.....