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Left over gas

Jackfre

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I have run across a 5gal can of gasoline that is probably more water now than fuel. How do your dispose of this stuff?
 
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glentre

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May 21, 2016
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Gloucester, Virginia
Many local garbage disposal centers are set up to accept this kind of waste. Suggest a call to your town, city or county offices.

Glen
 

Walkers

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May 17, 2021
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Cave Creek Az
Sadly, it is very difficult to get rid of. Pour it in a pan and either burn it off or let it evaporate. Be warned it is very sooty to burn.
 

Leaflessshadetree

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Aug 1, 2013
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Don't ask.
I'd pour it through a water seperating funnel (probably 2-3 times).
Add the gas to my truck (with a full tank).
Burning and evaporating also work. I'd only recommend the "approved container" method if it one of the CARB approved containers.
 

BlakeTheCarGuy

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Oct 10, 2018
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Roanoke Virginia
My auto parts stores say they take gas. Don’t know if it’s true or they were just saying that because I’ve never had to dispose of any. Also another option is pouring more gas in to dilute it and freshen it up. I’ve done that with old cars that sit around and really don’t have issues. That’s an old mechanics trick I learned.
 

slidehammer

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Feb 4, 2010
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California Central Coast
I have run across a 5gal can of gasoline that is probably more water now than fuel. How do your dispose of this stuff?

I'm also in California. Around here they're trying to keep hazardous materials out of the waste stream. The landfill will take gas, oil, paint, pesticides, etc. for free.

The only catch is that they don't want you pouring out your chemicals at their facility, so you have to leave them in the container you brought. You don't get your gas can back.
 

CoogarXR

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Jan 11, 2016
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Ohio
I'm no chemist, but wouldn't it still be the same percentage of water that it was in the beginning? Where would extra water come from?
 

rlitman

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Oct 18, 2010
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Long Island
I'm no chemist, but wouldn't it still be the same percentage of water that it was in the beginning? Where would extra water come from?
The air. The ethanol in gasoline is hygroscopic. Over time, it will absorb so much water that the polar ethanol/water phase will settle out from the hydrocarbons. At this point, the water separating funnel will allow the hydrocarbon fuel to pass, and block the water phase. The fuel that exits will be about 4 octane points lower than the number advertised on the pump, but mixing a couple of gallons at a time into your car at a fillup will not be harmful, so long as you do not allow the water in.

edit: Before I had a Mr Funnel, I did this the old fashioned way. I would soak a swatch of chamois in clean gasoline, and put it into a funnel with some hardware cloth to keep the chamois off the funnel walls, and then pour the questionable gas through it. It works, but can take an hour to filter 5 gallons. The Mr Funnel is super fast, and also works to filter any liquid water out of diesel if you suspect the tanks at your station.
 
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pancho400cid

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Austin, TX
Gasoline-fueled bonfires etc. are very dangerous so... you know...

Always remember 5 gallons of gasoline is enough stored chemical energy to move a 5,000 Lb vehicle 50 miles or more.....
 
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bad_idea

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Jun 11, 2011
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Pasquotank, NC
One more vote for into the tank of the truck. I'd carry it to the gas station with me, dump in a couple gallons, then fill the tank up. In a couple fill ups it will be gone. The water filtering funnel sounds like a good idea, but I would just dump it in the truck a little a time personally.
 

gearhead1

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Oct 14, 2013
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NC
I'd pour it through a water seperating funnel (probably 2-3 times).
Add the gas to my truck (with a full tank).
Burning and evaporating also work.

This is exactly what I do. I filter a couple times then pour only a gallon or two in my oldest gas burning vehicle with at least 3/4 tank full of fresh gas. As long as you filtered (I think I have a Mr. funnel, I forget the brand name, but it separates water) you won’t have a problem. I’ve done this for many years as I get old cars from all over to run in demolition derbies. If they have gas in them, I have to deal with it. I’ve never had a problem, clogged filter, engine stumble, etc, nothing. It’s so diluted, it’s negligible on performance. Yes I’m sure if the engine was on a dyno, you’d see a drop In power. I’m saying by the seat of your pants in a non high performance vehicle, you can’t tell the difference.

I almost never burn it, I have and can, but I prefer not to.

Evaporating works, but takes a long time and you don’t want sparks or anything getting in it while it’s evaporating.
 
OP
J

Jackfre

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Dec 26, 2010
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N CA
Pouring gas anywhere here in CA seems not a good idea. For the next several months every time the wind blows I look to the horizon to see smoke. Thanks for the suggestions on the Water funnel. I had no idea such a thing existed.
 

gearhead1

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NC
Pouring gas anywhere here in CA seems not a good idea. For the next several months every time the wind blows I look to the horizon to see smoke. Thanks for the suggestions on the Water funnel. I had no idea such a thing existed.
Link to mr funnel: mrfunnel.com
 
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rustyjames

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Dec 28, 2008
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central nj
Pouring gas anywhere here in CA seems not a good idea. For the next several months every time the wind blows I look to the horizon to see smoke. Thanks for the suggestions on the Water funnel. I had no idea such a thing existed.
I think pouring gas out anywhere isn't a good idea.
 

PassnThru

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Jan 5, 2010
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Location
Bowling Green KY
Interesting question - definitely following this one. I have about 1.5 to 2 gallons of some fuel in the shed right now that I took out of a tiller that I got working again (new tank - new carb - it was that bad) that I need to get rid of. I had no idea until then that gas could go that bad. It no longer resembles gas or even smells like gas anymore. It is definitely not going into any vehicle I own and yes - I've disposed of old gas that way before. Beyond evaporation - I figure my best plan is to introduce small amounts into a fire until it's gone.
It's funny actually -most people want to do the right thing - and they want to make sure we don't do the wrong thing. Fair enough.
But they continue to make doing the right thing difficult. If you want to control this sort of thing - then have a place where someone can go and take care of it then and there - everywhere.
Occasionally, we have 'yearly' drop offs - long lines (understand - we are the only county that does it within the surrounding counties so...) for a day. So - basically they are saying we did our part - we gave you a lottery chance to get in and out in a time frame that we deemed appropriate. They will brag about how much hazardous stuff they collected during that day but they really don't care - they just have to act like they do.
Imagine how much larger that number would be if they actually collected it all year instead of just pretending that they cared once a year?
 

Miss the Pontiacs

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Saskatchewan Canada
I’m with the crew that would mix it out and use it. Mind you the only fuel I use in a Jerry can is premium with no alcohol.
Freezing it is a good idea, Tougher to do in some locations than others
 

rlitman

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Oct 18, 2010
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Long Island
I wasn't sure and decided to check on their website. Yes, on Renegades website, it's leaded
Well, 105LL aviation gas is used in all sorts of small engines, but in a modern EFI truck with platinum or better plugs, I'd be worried about reducing plug life from the lead.
 

M6erfan

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Dec 6, 2014
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'Merica!
Our city has a "household waste disposal" location. I bring my used oil, gas, etc. once or twice a year. I just did it last week.
 

NUTTSGT

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Sep 14, 2009
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Northern Central Ohio
Well, 105LL aviation gas is used in all sorts of small engines, but in a modern EFI truck with platinum or better plugs, I'd be worried about reducing plug life from the lead.
That and any O2 sensors, not sure how they would fare with the leaded gas. Doesn't really matter, I'll find a place for it. I'm not going to spend a $100 plus to fix and issue that was caused by trying to save a 3rd of that burning it in my truck.
 

nadogail

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Jan 23, 2009
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Location
Coronado, CA
You might add a small amount into your tank and see if your truck will accept the mixture of old and fresh fuel. Alternatively you can turn it in for Hazardous Waste Disposal, or try using it as an accelerator for a Bon Fire,
 

Racy2

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Feb 24, 2019
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39
Location
Bolton, Ontario
I use my old gas mixed with diesel to start brush burning at home and the cottage. Half and half mixture is great for starting the bonfire too. No big flare up this way.
 

cgall

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Jun 6, 2012
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Cincinnati, OH
Do not put leaded race gas in your lawnmower or other small engine, it will build up carbon on the valves and eventually will cause a loss of compression.
 

PoorUB

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Mar 29, 2021
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Location
Fargo, ND
I have 8-9 gallons of old 110 race gas that I need to part with. I figured I shouldn't run it in my truck.
I would burn it in my truck, but only a gallon or two at a time on a full tank.

If you have a lawn mower, you can burn it up mowing the grass. The high octane won't hurt anything.
 
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