Left my fuel can outside

[Airic]

Accidently left it outside for about a month and the temps have been from 20 deg to 60 deg. It's only a 5 gal container but, would you change it and get fresh or you thing it'll be OK?

 

[dirtworksequip]

That would depend on what type container it is and how weather tight it is. I wouldn't be worried about the temperature fluctuations, but how much rain you have had in the time it sat outside. Could any water have gotten into the can? If so, just write it off and use it to maybe burn some brush.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[LBrown59]

Accidently left it outside for about a month and the temps have been from 20 deg to 60 deg. It's only a 5 gal container but, would you change it and get fresh or you thing it'll be OK?

Did it get rain water in it?

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Put a bottle of isopropyl in it and it will be fine. I know farmers around here that have fuel cans that have never been inside.

 

[dirtworksequip]

You can pour it into a clear container and let it settle. The water will be obvious. It will be a clear blob on the bottom of the container. You can pour off the diesel and it will be fine to use.

Isopropyl alcohol isn't recomended for diesel engines as it causes the water to go into solution with the fuel and water is BAD for your injectors.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[Tig]

As mentioned the water will be at the bottom of the can. If I suspected water in the fuel I would use the top 90% of the can by carefully pouring it. And then look carefully at the last 10% before deciding what to do with it.
When I was a kid the local engine repair guy used to pour gas through a felt hat to filter out the water. He swore that the water would not pass through the gas soaked felt.

 

[studor]

You did not say if it contained gas or diesel but if the container was tight should not be a problem -- I forgot my chainsaw mix can in the bush last winter and found it in the spring. Worked fine.
If you are really worried a little gas stabilizer or diesel Cetane boost would not hurt.
regards
Steve

 

[LBrown59]

Lots of cars sit outside with temperature changes but I have never heard of anyone who dumped the gas.

As mentioned the water will be at the bottom of the can. If I suspected water in the fuel I would use the top 90% of the can by carefully pouring it. And then look carefully at the last 10% before deciding what to do with it.
When I was a kid the local engine repair guy used to pour gas through a felt hat to filter out the water. He swore that the water would not pass through the gas soaked felt.

Mr. Funnel will beat a felt hat 11 out of 10 times.

 

[PILOON]

Another thing that works is fine meshe screens!

If memory serves me right 100 mesh will filter water from gas and fuel.

My setup is a laboratory graded seive 100 mesh sitting in the bottom of my funnel.

Works like a charm, collects the tiniest little globuals of water.

Believe the principal is that once the mesh is fuel soaked the water drops just can't penetrate due to the 'dissimilar' characteristics of the fluids.
That is also why felt filters work so well.

Aviation used these principals for years, all bush pilots carry either felt cloths or chamois cloths to filter their gas from stashed bbls.

Chamois is preffered to felt because felt can release tiny fuzzy 'hairs' while chamois will not, mind you felt use was very common.

BUT, where in this day or age can one purchase a felt hat?

 

[2manyrocks]

Felt Indiana Jones fedora hats