3 Signs The Gasoline In Your Backup Tank Is Stale
If you have a business that uses a large amount of gas, you may have gas tanks on your work site so workers can easily refill their vehicle and equipment tanks. However, you may have discovered a backup tank that has not been used for a while, making you worry that the fuel is bad. If so, look for the following three signs the gasoline in your backup tank is stale:
Gas Smells Like Paint Thinner
The first sign you will notice if the gas is stale is the odor. When gas has gone bad, it starts smelling like the turpentine in some paint thinners. The odor also becomes so strong that you will have difficulty standing near the tank's opening without having your eyes water.
When gas sits for a while, the fuel components start to break down. This causes a concentration of chemicals in the gasoline that gives off a powerful smell. Usually, this smell alone is enough to show that the gas is bad, but you will most likely also see sediment.
Presence Of A Cloudy Sediment
As the compounds in the fuel break down, the heavier ones remain while the lighter compounds start to evaporate. Because the heavier compounds are trace metals, they form a cloudy sediment within the stale gas.
If you are unable to see inside the tank, submerge a hose in the gas until it touches the bottom of the container. Be careful not to disturb the gas and the sediment too much while moving the hose, as you want to see how much has settled to the bottom.
Then, siphon out about a gallon of gas into a clear container. If you see particles floating around and are unable to see clearly through the fuel, it has gone bad and should not be used.
Motor Sputters and Dies
One other sign of bad gas is that it causes the motor of the vehicle or equipment in which it is used to sputter and die. Because the breakdown of the fuel causing it to lose octane, the gas will not have the combusting power to keep an engine operating.
If you notice any of the above signs, the gas is stale and should not be used. Instead, you should contact your wholesale gasoline supplier to schedule a delivery of fresh gas, as well as seek advice on what can be done to properly dispose of your old, stale gasoline.
Contact a company like Gran-Del Petroleum Products for more information and assistance.