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08-07-2017, 06:57 PM
#1
Gentoo
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Old nitro fuel?
I have some nitro fuel that was stored inside my house with the bottle sealed tight. Its about a year and a half old.
Still OK to use, or toss it? If toss it, how? Can to just spread it on the driveway for it to evaporate like gasoline or will it not do that?
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08-07-2017, 07:24 PM
#2
1/8 IC Fan
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Id say toss it. Most cities have a waste reclamation site, these take fuel of any type. Nitro fuel is very poisonous, do not get caught dumping it.
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08-07-2017, 09:05 PM
#3
jbrow1
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I wouldn't dump it, but I'd likely use it in my lawnmower or old chevy pickup 
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08-08-2017, 01:07 AM
#4
mustangkillaz
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If it was sealed tight and squeezed shut with minimal amount of air let in it may be ok. Give it a light shake and try it.
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08-09-2017, 07:23 AM
#5
RC Fanatic20
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Does the fuel go bad that quickly? I would think if the bottle was sealed properly and there wasn't a ton of air in it it would probably be OK. If not definitely dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way
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08-09-2017, 03:10 PM
#6
anthonyscardina
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I found half a jug in my storage locker about 6-7 years old and it seems to be working fine enough for bashing...
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08-10-2017, 05:17 PM
#7
snuvet75
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I got back to nitro racing recently after almost 2y absence and all the fuels I got more than 2 y ago(even open bottles) seem ok. But I can't be 100% sure because it's not like I tested for all the ingredient. But the car ran fine though.
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08-11-2017, 06:21 AM
#8
rubezzz
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If you planning on using it for racing bin it, you'd hate to do all your race prep then having tuning problems all weekend.
For bashing I'd say go for gold, nothing to lose other maybe some economy
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08-12-2017, 06:27 AM
#9
RCTecher12
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Fuel can be decades old and still run perfectly fine. There is a big myth that fuel degrades unilaterally and it's no good after X amount of time. If it's been sealed well in a climate controlled environment and out of sunlight, it should be just fine. Look at the bottom of the jug for any sediments. If sediment is present, filter it out and try running it. Bad fuel won't idle for beans.
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08-15-2017, 12:56 PM
#10
RC Fanatic20
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Originally Posted by SlowLST2
Fuel can be decades old and still run perfectly fine. There is a big myth that fuel degrades unilaterally and it's no good after X amount of time. If it's been sealed well in a climate controlled environment and out of sunlight, it should be just fine. Look at the bottom of the jug for any sediments. If sediment is present, filter it out and try running it. Bad fuel won't idle for beans.
Sounds like he knows what he's talking about & the logic makes sense to me
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08-15-2017, 09:25 PM
#11
RCTecher12
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Originally Posted by RC Fanatic20
Sounds like he knows what he's talking about & the logic makes sense to me
I've talked to model airplane guys flying ancient airplanes with ancient engines and fuel cans so old you can barely read the writing (actually painted back then) on the cans. Those planes sure flew nice and the smell of the exhaust - you haven't smelled heaven unless you've smelled exhaust from fuel that had propylene oxide in it.
Seriously though - cap your fuel, keep in a cool place in a stable environment out of light and it will likely still be good 20 years from now.
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08-20-2017, 08:34 AM
#12
Gentoo
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Awesome, thanks all for the replies. I store my fuel in my spare room either on a storage shelf or in the closet.
Since it is not the same brand fuel I currently use, I would have to retune the engine when I run it, right?
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08-20-2017, 12:42 PM
#13
anthonyscardina
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Originally Posted by Gentoo
Awesome, thanks all for the replies. I store my fuel in my spare room either on a storage shelf or in the closet.
Since it is not the same brand fuel I currently use, I would have to retune the engine when I run it, right?
You're going to have to retune day to day (sometimes more than once a day) anyways depending on temp, humidity and barometric pressure.
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08-20-2017, 02:21 PM
#14
RCTecher12
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Different fuels can require a more dramatic change in the needles than just the day to day adjustment - which often is only a minor tweak. I think it always best to set your needles 1/2 turn richer than the last setting and re-tune from there if using new fuel, different brand/heat glow plug, etc.
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08-20-2017, 08:55 PM
#15
Gentoo
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OK that's what I kinda thought.
I'm still learning about the whole nitro thing - I am impressed with myself every time I get it to start lol. Been watching youtube videos on tuning it up. Keeping it rich so I don't ruin the engine.
Thanks for the help guys!
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