Q: I have a five gallon gas can that is just less than half full with a gasoline/oil mix for my snow blower from last year. Is it still good?
A: Unfortunately, the fuel is no longer good. A gasoline/oil mix should not be kept for more than a couple of months. Gasoline is a highly refined product that has very specific characteristics. One characteristic is the volatility of the gas. What happens is that the volatile components in gas have a tendency to evaporate. The less volatile the fuel, the less effective it burns in your engine. This results in poor engine performance. While your snow blower may start and run, it will not run efficiently. What you will want to do is properly dispose of any gas/oil mixture from last year and let your snow blower run until all existing fuel is out of the tank and carburetor.
If the gas/oil mix has been stored properly in a sealed container in a cool, dry place, it might still be usable. However, there are a few things to check:
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Smell: If the gasoline has a sour or varnish-like odor, it may have degraded and is not suitable for use.
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Color: Fresh gasoline is typically clear or slightly yellow. If the mix has a darker color, it could indicate degradation.
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Separation: If oil and gasoline have separated significantly, it may not be suitable for use.
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Check the snow blower manufacturer’s recommendations: Refer to the user manual or guidelines provided by the snow blower manufacturer for information on the recommended fuel mixture and any specific considerations for the type of oil used.
If in doubt, it’s safer to dispose of the old fuel properly and use fresh gasoline for your snow blower. Using degraded fuel may lead to poor engine performance or issues with the snow blower. If you’re uncertain about the condition of the fuel, it’s always a good idea to err on the side of caution and use fresh fuel.
You May Also Enjoy These Articles:
Winter Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Snow Blower in Top Shape
How to Winterize Your Lawn Mower
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Why Weingartz?
Weingartz, family owned and operated, began in 1945 as a farm supply store for local Michigan families. In the 1970s, we began to focus exclusively on outdoor power equipment. Over time, we morphed into the “power equipment superstore” that now defines all of our locations. The staff and experts at Weingartz work diligently to provide the best service possible and give honest and helpful advice to each and every customer.
Weingartz also sells parts for all outdoor power equipment at https://weingartz.com/parts-lookup.
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5436 Jackson Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 239-8200
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