[Flyin High]

I was just wondering how long does glow fuel last?

[AJCoholic]

Hmm, depends what size tank, and how big your engine is!!

Oh, you probably mean what is the lifespan/shelf life of fuel? If it is kept in the originally sealed jug, in a nice dark, cool area, it will last years (like at least 4 or 5)

If you have it in the sunlight, or in heat, or open it frequently it will be much less.

Usually I prefer not to keep fuel for longer than 2 years, but I have used fuel I have had properly stored for at least 5 years.

[Lord Kimbo]

I try to not exceed 1 year myself.

[skypupnut]

When I moved from St Bruno to Sherbrooke in 1971
I had just bought 12 galons of club fuel Lafaillette
with new house and family crisis did not fly much for a few years
used up the last 5 gal can, metal can of course, in 1991
it ran great in .19-.80 engines, never kept fuel for more than a couple year since.
my experience
I still get teased for the funny smelling fuel I was using then !

[VE1FH]

I'm using some 10% Omega that's been unopened in my basement for 4 years now ... works great. The opened jug that's been sitting around the basement for the winter is probably best disposed of.

I remember an item in MAN or RCM a few years ago about a product that you could spray into a partial jug to hold it over a winter. I think it made some sort of layer over the fuel to keep the water out ... that's what kills the fuel. Maybe others recall the product; never used it myself.

John

[britbrat]

If the "opened" jug is tightly capped & kept out in the cold (garage), it is just fine in the spring. I don't store the stuff in the house either in summer or winter.

[Nuker]

If in the garage, don't store it directly on the cement, put it on some wood as some moisture will be absorbed if left on cement.

[skypupnut]

I have read an article, about replacing the air in the bottle with CO2
or nitrogen
CO2 beeing the best, much heavier and displaces the air.

[The_Big_H]

What's the effect of bad fuel?

[britbrat]

If it is only contaminated with water (the usual "bad fuel" thing), the engine may refuse to idle reliably. If the water contamination is severe, it will be hard to start & might even quit in flight at part throttle. It is unlikely to damage the engine just from running it, but if you leave the engine with water-contaminated fuel in the crankcase, the bearings, etc. can rust.

If the fuel has been subjected to too much sunlight & high temps, the oil component(s) can degrade slightly. You will have a (more) gooey/gummy mess when you run the engine & the lubrication properties can be degraded -- not a good thing for your motor.