Contaminated Gasoline

[Red Arrow]

Our riding mower wouldn't start.  The (John Deere) shop said we had contamination in the carburetor, either from bad gasoline or through the air filter.  I think it is something else but that's another story.  I have at least 5 gallons of supposedly contaminated gasoline to get rid of.  Where can I responsibly dispose of it?

[RecycleMichael]

It is very difficult to dispose of. Be very careful of trying to use it for any other purpose. There are some gasoline stabilizer products that might be worthwile.

A couple of years ago I had a couple of gallons with the same problem. I added it to my car gas tank about a half a gallon with every fill-up. I figured the solution to pollution was dilution. I also added some gas additives.

If you don't want to do that, we collect it at our twice-a-year fairgrounds pollutant collection event.

[Gaspar]

Our riding mower wouldn't start.  The (John Deere) shop said we had contamination in the carburetor, either from bad gasoline or through the air filter.  I think it is something else but that's another story.  I have at least 5 gallons of supposedly contaminated gasoline to get rid of.  Where can I responsibly dispose of it?

Usually the gas is not to fault.  A small leak around your air filter will introduce lots of garbage into your cylinder that will eventually gum it up.  Ever blow your nose after mowing the lawn on a dry day?

A $1.68 spark plug and $4.00 can of Gummout Carborator cleaner shot into the carb while the engine's running will do the job. 

[Red Arrow]

RM
If the fuel really is contaminated, I don't want to risk the injectors in my car.   I always put Sta-Bil fuel stabilizer in the tractor gas when I buy it.  I did not add any gas to the tractor tank since the last time it ran perfectly.  I don't really suspect gas problems.  If the shop says there is a gas problem and I use the same gas, I have nothing to stand on if they don't really fix the problem.  When is the next fairgrounds collection?

Gaspar,
I agree that the air source is more likely the source if it really is the problem.  The fuel system has an in-line filter.  The only part of the fuel system I ever opened has been the one to fill the gas tank.  Until the tractor wouldn't start, I had not even opened the air filter area.  The tractor has 20.5 hrs on the meter since brand new from John Deere.  If there was a leak, JD is responsible, even if they deny it and won't cover it. We bought it from a JD dealer, not a big box store so it cannot be the fault of an untrained non-JD employee during setup.  I was expecting to do the spring/25 hr service together after we cut the grass a couple more times.

I used to do the carb cleaner trick on our ex-tractor.  I could get to the fuel bowl drain/jet area.  There was a removable plug. 

[Red Arrow]

Our tractor has been returned with a verdict of bad gasoline.  We were told to get rid of the gasoline stock I have.  I don't understand it since it ran fine on the left over gas from last year until that was gone.  Then I got fresh gas about a month ago.  The tractor ran fine until a week and a half after the last time we used it, at which time it absolutely didn't run.  It's been in the shop for the last week and a half to get the carb cleaned and fuel system flushed.

Oh well, time to go home and cut the foot tall grass.

[Wilbur]

Two things -

Buy your gasoline at Quik Trip or Conoco for the best gas.  As an added bonus, Quik Trip pays for all repairs if their gas is found to be the fault of a mechanical problem.

For items that will sit for a period of time (like the winter), such as lawn mowers, weed eaters, motorcycles, .....  use a gasoline stabilizer.  Most people use Sta-Bil.  It keeps the gasoline from forming varnish inside your engine, which is a typical problem.  I just always add Sta-Bil to my gas cans before I fill them with gas.  That way, it is always in the gasoline I use.  It will also help your small engines start easier the first time you use them after setting idle.

[Red Arrow]

Two things -

Buy your gasoline at Quik Trip or Conoco for the best gas.  As an added bonus, Quik Trip pays for all repairs if their gas is found to be the fault of a mechanical problem.

For items that will sit for a period of time (like the winter), such as lawn mowers, weed eaters, motorcycles, .....  use a gasoline stabilizer.  Most people use Sta-Bil.  It keeps the gasoline from forming varnish inside your engine, which is a typical problem.  I just always add Sta-Bil to my gas cans before I fill them with gas.  That way, it is always in the gasoline I use.  It will also help your small engines start easier the first time you use them after setting idle.

I was using the Kum & Go since it was closest.  Yesterday I bought 2 new 5 gal (plastic) gas cans.  I always put Sta-Bil in the can before I fill it too.  It makes sure it's fully mixed.  I went the extra mile (literally) to the QT at 101st & Memorial to get gas.