James,
I suppose I could just let this die it's own slow and agonizing
death....but NO.
Gas does in fact go bad. It will turn to varnish. It will no longer function
as an internal combustion fuel. How dare I make such brash statements in the
face of all these astute, knowledgable peers?
Years ago, (many....let's just leave it at that.....OK 20 years ago) I
was engaged to the daughter of the president of the Tow Car Association of
California. Along with his daughter came the offer to run the San Francisco
impound yard out at Candlestick Point. (nice place for a ballgame, but you
don't want to break down in that neighborhood !)
We would dismantle upwards of 100 cars a day out there. These were all
cars which had been towed off city streets, sat in the tow company garage,
brought to us for long term holding, placed up for auction and the 100 or so a
day were the remainder nobody would bid on.
Among the fringe benefits to this job, aside from all the COOL stuf you
could find in the trunks (tools, guns, money etc.), was all the free gas you
could salvage. I learned early on how to distinguish from the color just what
gas I would get and which I would allow the other dismantlers to divvy up
between themselves.
Super was a bright clear pink to red. Unleaded was a clear to yellow.
Regular was a gold to yellow. The smell was the first giveaway, but the older
"varnish" was often dark red to brown and would not burn in any motor.
Now, I don't pretend to understand the chemical structure of todays
fuels, but if there is even a trace of yesteryears formulations involved.....IT
WILL GO BAD.
Sorry to offend, and hopefully others luck will continue (Mr.
President) ;)
Chris Prugh
72 Spitfar
Morgan Hill, CA
----------
From: James Charles Ruwaldt[SMTP:jruwaldt@indiana.edu]
Sent: Monday, August 11, 1997 5:41 AM
Cc: triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Rough running TR6/bad gas
Yes, I suppose things may vary under different circumstances, especially
at high altitudes. And, certainly, gas has changed to make it burn more
cleanly. However, under most circumstances, it won't go bad, with which
others have concurred. By the way, I was told this by a mechanic.
Jim Ruwaldt
'72 TR6 CC79338U(being restored)
Bloomington, IN
>
> >Date: Fri, 8 Aug 1997 14:02:01 -0500 (EST)
> >From: James Charles Ruwaldt <jruwaldt@indiana.edu>
> >Subject: Re: Rough running TR6
>
> >Chris,
> > Gasoline doesn't go bad. You'll probably hear it has a shelf
> >life of about three years, but it can for ten without any problems. I
> >can't imagine you'd suddenly have problems from the gas after running
> >your car regularly. You should check for rust in the gas tank and
> >clogging of the injectors, since that's where fuel problems are most
> >likely to occur.
> >Jim Ruwaldt
> >'72 TR6 CC79338U(being restored)
> >Bloomington, IN
>
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