Is it safe to put new gas on top of old gas in a lawnmower?
Dr. McFreeze asked:
I have a lawnmower. There’s still some gas left over from last summer. Is it safe to put new gas in the tank over the old gas to mow the lawn? Any issues at all?
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I have a lawnmower. There’s still some gas left over from last summer. Is it safe to put new gas in the tank over the old gas to mow the lawn? Any issues at all?
August 27th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
yeah i do it all the time and i’ve never had any problems. Billy
August 30th, 2010 at 8:26 am
Modern unleaded gas deteriorates rapidly after about 90 days. The first indication of old gas is poor starting. Adding new gas to old won’t hurt your mower. However, it might take a little while for the new gas to work its way into the carb. If the tank is full of old gas, its best to remove it and then add new fuel. There are fuel stabilizers on the market for gasoline, these products extend the life of unleaded gas and eliminate the problem with “old” fuel after a winter storage. jack w
September 1st, 2010 at 7:31 pm
You shouldnt have a problem. PK
September 4th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Remove the old gas, old gas destroys your carburetor and does not burn properly! Jennifer
September 6th, 2010 at 8:40 am
I have always just added new gas each spring before the first mowing. I have never had a problem in over 30 years of doing this. Gas doesn’t go “bad” but only loses some of its lighter components. When you add the new gas, you put back sufficient amounts of the light components for the mixture to burn as needed.
One of my jobs used to be the manufacture or processing of gasoline so I know a little about the subject. oil field trash
September 9th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
It certainly isn’t dangerous to put new gas in with the old gas. But if the lawnmower sat all winter without the gas being drained or a stabilizer added you are likely wasting the new gas. Make sure the machine will start on the old gas before you add more to the tank. Hondu