As we all know fuel has an expiry date, but how do you get rid of old surplus fuel stored in containers and bottles around the place? I know my dad always had the perfect answer to this question, and that was "Oh just go pour it on a post or some weeds some place." But we lived on a farm so could get away with the occasional acts of environmental vandalism. I recall old diesel and oil served a useful purpose, as farmers often poured it over posts that had become infested with white ants. Old oil was used to oil hinges and gates and the windmill etc. Diesel was handy for spraying on prickly pears and other succulent weeds to eradicate them. Nothing got wasted.
But recently I came across some old fuel in the back of the shed that would probably be over a decade old. I've also got dirty fuel stored after flushing out fuel tanks. I've thought about taking it to the dump as they have a chemical shed there. But I seem to remember there was a hefty charge on disposal of some chemicals? Oil is no problem as you can simply pour it into the oil recycling tank at the dump and there is no charge. I am not sure if oil contaminated with fuel is permitted. I have never asked.
I remember reading somewhere that a small quantity of old fuel - a litre or two - can be safely put into a car engine, providing it is clean, because it will quickly get mixed into the whole tank of fuel. Cars are less fussy about the gummy particles that would otherwise clog up a mower carby. A car engine will just push it straight through and burn it up.
Anyway, just wondering how others deal with their old and dirty fuel?
In some ways it serves a useful purpose in the shed, because I do not label my containers. Only I know which ones are good fuel and dirty fuel. So if anyone breaks into my shed and steals fuel, they could have a lot of fun if they pour a can of dirty fuel into their mower or car.
