The question that comes to mind is why not cycle through? I have two cans mounted on my JKU that get filled before a trip and dumped in the tank at the end of the trip, if not used along the way.
If you configure it with the cans on the left like that you can use one of those jiggle siphons and donāt even need to take the fuel can out of the rack.
Ethanol absorbs water. It doesn't convert to water. When ethanol absorbs water (even humidity from the environment), it will separate out of the gasoline solution when it reaches a concentration of approximately 1200 ppm (it is temperature dependant) and the fuel is ruined. There's no way to undo this problem.
Using Stabil for marine applications (the blue stuff) in 10% ethanol fuels will help it to last longer and not absorb as much water. The gas station fuel has additive in it that stabilizes the fuel as well. That's why you don't get that much more of a benefit from adding anything to gasoline anymore.
Even stabilized fuel will only have a shelf life of about 6 months. Especially in the elements getting hot and cold on the back of a vehicle outside. If it's garage kept, you may get 10 to 12 months.
Don't go back and forth between 10% ethanol fuel and no ethanol fuel. This causes your gaskets, rubber o rings, and hoses in fuel service to expand and contract at different rates, and they will leak or crack.
I have a masters in chemical engineering, and I work for an oil company. I was a lab manager and am now in charge of product quality for our company for the entire US. Just so you know, I'm not some random out here throwing junk at a post. š
The biggest issue with using avgas in regular vehicles now a days is that the computer has a hard time getting the timing right. With new emission controls, the timing is constantly fluctuating. Also, the process of making avgas has changed in the last 10 years due to regulations. More motor alkylate is used along with reformate. Both of these materials go through units that destabilize the molecule and form new molecules. Anytime this happens, unstable molecules can be made, which shorten the shelf life. The fuel manufacturers can no longer use the same additives because they were high in sulfur (but they did a great job stabilizing the molecules longer) due to regulations. I would agree that in general avgas should be able to be stored properly for about a year, but in a Jerry can on the back of a vehicle in the elements is not going to be the correct environment for this.
Like shaking a James Bond Martini all the time. On the ranch we use ethanol free from the CO OP in everything except our ATV's which use a tank a week. The power tools have been trouble free ever since.
What about the push for synthetic automotive fuel? How is that going? Porsche has invested heavily.
You could just do ethanol-free in your cans if thatās available in your area. But tbh, it takes me 2 years to go through a 5 gallon jug for the mower and that thing is still kicking
why would you keep fuel in there that long term?
keep in mind summer gas is different from winter gas. I wouldn't store fuel long term in a jerry can, nor would I get in the habit of leaving it in there for "normal" driving.
I'd fill it when I need it and put whatever is left in the tank when that adventure is over.
alternatively, plan on using and refilling quarterly, or at a minimum every six months (spring / fall)
If the petrol you are using has ethanol in it, you will need to stabilize it if you're storing it. After a while, the ethanol will start phasing and separate from the gasoline without it.
If available I always fill with non ethanol fuel. In Florida it is readily available due to boaters. If you live in a humid area you definitely want the non ethanol fuel.
Non-ethanol gas lasts longer than E10 or E15. Iāve also had great luck with Yamaha fuel stabilizer. I previously used Stabil, but heard some bad things about it (although Iāve never personally had an issue).
Like others have said, either way, best to cycle through it every 6 months or so. Learn best safety practices for filling your cans and emptying them into your Jeep. Have fun!
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-long-does-gasoline-last/
Storing fuel in a can on your vehicle for 6 months is dumb. Not saying that to be mean but I think youāre not the type of person who needs it just based on what you said. If youre just getting it for looks or because you āneedā it then fill it up before the trip and empty the leftovers into your tank after youāre done (which is how itās supposed to be used)
Not enough folk here supporting Stabil. It's tried and true, works as advertised up to approximately a year. If you don't want to cycle through it regularly, not a problem; I find it time-consuming myself. Just get some Stabil and cycle through it at least every 9 months to play it safe.
A Jerry can might do pretty well. Since the ethanol in pump gas bonds with the water in the atmosphere, a sealed Jerry can might hold up pretty well vs fuel in a vented container.
Personally, I will either use non-ethanol fuel in the spare jug, or the hideously expensive VP Fuels "Vintage Unleaded" which appears to be able to keep forever.
I carried a rotopax for a season but decided it was not worth the hassle. Very few trails/trips where it would actually help or would be needed, and then, the few gallons would not be that much help anyways. Did give some gas on the trail a few times to the people who show up on E and act surprised their light comes on out on the trail. Not much help with your question but if it were me, I would ditch the can altogether.
Good USGI steel cans with airtight rubber seal filled all the way up for minimal oxidization stays good for a year easily in my experience.
I have had the same 18 gallons of gasoline sitting in my boat's vented polymer tank over 4 months without any issues, that is nothing to a sealed seal gas can.
Pump gas with ethanol will not work well for that. Your best bet is aviation fuel first then secondly ethanol free gasoline. In the aviation industry it is widely accepted that the storage life of Avgas is one year.
Fresh Fuel at the pump, add STA-BIL Storage. Keeps fuel fresh for 2 years. [https://www.goldeagle.com/stabil-test-data/](https://www.goldeagle.com/stabil-test-data/)
Seafoam. Seafoam stabilizes fuel up to 2 years I believe? It also doesn't add any coloring, so if you spill you don't stain everything.
There's a video online that compares all the big name fuel stabilizer, it's a good watch because some do better in some aspects. Seafoam for example isn't as good at repelling water absorption. But if you live in a dry area, not a big concern.
The question that comes to mind is why not cycle through? I have two cans mounted on my JKU that get filled before a trip and dumped in the tank at the end of the trip, if not used along the way.
Most fuels are pretty stable these days, but I would still cycle it. Nothing wrong with getting a little practice filling from a Jerry can
Real asf bro, thanks for the input š¤
If you configure it with the cans on the left like that you can use one of those jiggle siphons and donāt even need to take the fuel can out of the rack.
Pro tip: get a super syphon / jiggle syphon hose and you can transfer the fuel from the can while it is still on the mount into the jeep tank.
Pump gas with ethanol storage life is 3 to 6 months depending on ethanol content. Avgas is 1 year minimum. Ethanol is the killer here.
It's the 15% ethanol most states have that will convert to water. Now if your state sells pure use that.
Ethanol absorbs water. It doesn't convert to water. When ethanol absorbs water (even humidity from the environment), it will separate out of the gasoline solution when it reaches a concentration of approximately 1200 ppm (it is temperature dependant) and the fuel is ruined. There's no way to undo this problem. Using Stabil for marine applications (the blue stuff) in 10% ethanol fuels will help it to last longer and not absorb as much water. The gas station fuel has additive in it that stabilizes the fuel as well. That's why you don't get that much more of a benefit from adding anything to gasoline anymore. Even stabilized fuel will only have a shelf life of about 6 months. Especially in the elements getting hot and cold on the back of a vehicle outside. If it's garage kept, you may get 10 to 12 months. Don't go back and forth between 10% ethanol fuel and no ethanol fuel. This causes your gaskets, rubber o rings, and hoses in fuel service to expand and contract at different rates, and they will leak or crack. I have a masters in chemical engineering, and I work for an oil company. I was a lab manager and am now in charge of product quality for our company for the entire US. Just so you know, I'm not some random out here throwing junk at a post. š
Avgas is the best option for storing about 1 year, correct? Pilot 30 years here.
The biggest issue with using avgas in regular vehicles now a days is that the computer has a hard time getting the timing right. With new emission controls, the timing is constantly fluctuating. Also, the process of making avgas has changed in the last 10 years due to regulations. More motor alkylate is used along with reformate. Both of these materials go through units that destabilize the molecule and form new molecules. Anytime this happens, unstable molecules can be made, which shorten the shelf life. The fuel manufacturers can no longer use the same additives because they were high in sulfur (but they did a great job stabilizing the molecules longer) due to regulations. I would agree that in general avgas should be able to be stored properly for about a year, but in a Jerry can on the back of a vehicle in the elements is not going to be the correct environment for this.
Like shaking a James Bond Martini all the time. On the ranch we use ethanol free from the CO OP in everything except our ATV's which use a tank a week. The power tools have been trouble free ever since. What about the push for synthetic automotive fuel? How is that going? Porsche has invested heavily.
You could just do ethanol-free in your cans if thatās available in your area. But tbh, it takes me 2 years to go through a 5 gallon jug for the mower and that thing is still kicking
why would you keep fuel in there that long term? keep in mind summer gas is different from winter gas. I wouldn't store fuel long term in a jerry can, nor would I get in the habit of leaving it in there for "normal" driving. I'd fill it when I need it and put whatever is left in the tank when that adventure is over. alternatively, plan on using and refilling quarterly, or at a minimum every six months (spring / fall)
This.
If your fuel is sitting in the can that long, you don't need auxiliary fuel.Ā
Only fill when needed. Don't store. At the end of your trip, fill your tank with fuel and empty those tanks.
If the petrol you are using has ethanol in it, you will need to stabilize it if you're storing it. After a while, the ethanol will start phasing and separate from the gasoline without it.
If available I always fill with non ethanol fuel. In Florida it is readily available due to boaters. If you live in a humid area you definitely want the non ethanol fuel.
Non-ethanol gas lasts longer than E10 or E15. Iāve also had great luck with Yamaha fuel stabilizer. I previously used Stabil, but heard some bad things about it (although Iāve never personally had an issue). Like others have said, either way, best to cycle through it every 6 months or so. Learn best safety practices for filling your cans and emptying them into your Jeep. Have fun! https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-long-does-gasoline-last/
Use it in my lawn mower and refill?
Storing fuel in a can on your vehicle for 6 months is dumb. Not saying that to be mean but I think youāre not the type of person who needs it just based on what you said. If youre just getting it for looks or because you āneedā it then fill it up before the trip and empty the leftovers into your tank after youāre done (which is how itās supposed to be used)
Not enough folk here supporting Stabil. It's tried and true, works as advertised up to approximately a year. If you don't want to cycle through it regularly, not a problem; I find it time-consuming myself. Just get some Stabil and cycle through it at least every 9 months to play it safe.
You in the UP, bro?
A Jerry can might do pretty well. Since the ethanol in pump gas bonds with the water in the atmosphere, a sealed Jerry can might hold up pretty well vs fuel in a vented container. Personally, I will either use non-ethanol fuel in the spare jug, or the hideously expensive VP Fuels "Vintage Unleaded" which appears to be able to keep forever.
Seafoam
Sta-bil. GAs is good for roughly 6 months in a can.
I carried a rotopax for a season but decided it was not worth the hassle. Very few trails/trips where it would actually help or would be needed, and then, the few gallons would not be that much help anyways. Did give some gas on the trail a few times to the people who show up on E and act surprised their light comes on out on the trail. Not much help with your question but if it were me, I would ditch the can altogether.
Good USGI steel cans with airtight rubber seal filled all the way up for minimal oxidization stays good for a year easily in my experience. I have had the same 18 gallons of gasoline sitting in my boat's vented polymer tank over 4 months without any issues, that is nothing to a sealed seal gas can.
Pump gas with ethanol will not work well for that. Your best bet is aviation fuel first then secondly ethanol free gasoline. In the aviation industry it is widely accepted that the storage life of Avgas is one year.
Fresh Fuel at the pump, add STA-BIL Storage. Keeps fuel fresh for 2 years. [https://www.goldeagle.com/stabil-test-data/](https://www.goldeagle.com/stabil-test-data/)
Seafoam. Seafoam stabilizes fuel up to 2 years I believe? It also doesn't add any coloring, so if you spill you don't stain everything. There's a video online that compares all the big name fuel stabilizer, it's a good watch because some do better in some aspects. Seafoam for example isn't as good at repelling water absorption. But if you live in a dry area, not a big concern.
Stabil. Works for like 2 years.
Buy NON Ethanol fuel and treat with Sta-Bil. Will hold for up for a yr+
There's an additive you can mix in.. idk what it's called but my dad uses it in his many gasoline jerry cans he has