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Petrol goes stale after 3 weeks, where-upon performance will drop, maybe starting problems etc. Probably ok upto about 1 month, then would drain.
Some people use Aspen fuel as an alternative that does not degrade - haven't used myself as no need and it's about 3 times the fuel price. You can get plain unleaded and 2-stroke versions. Also supposed to run cleaner with less emmissions.
I've had fuel sitting in machines for months with no problems at all........ in fact some machines, like my "back-up" mower, strimmer etc still have the same fuel in them for a year or more. Its a good idea to run them for a few minutes periodically as the fuel left in the carbs can "evaporate" over time rsulting in "gum" that can block the jets. Performance may well drop but can't say I've ever noticed.
Some cars have 80 litre fuel tanks. You wouldn't say that you need to use all the petrol in the tank in three or four weeks. My Mother for example does a few hundred miles between MOT's, so some of the petrol must be sat in the tank for many months. There is no issue whatsoever with the car. It runs perfectly. Don't worry about it, just leave it in. I think more damage can be done by letting pipes and seals go dry by having no fuel in the system. This is especially true with steel petrol tanks, which go rusty inside when allowed to dry out for long periods.
Things will still work, but with less performance and potenital starting problems. We've seen this when machines not emptied over winter. Anyway, lots of info on the web. Heres one example:
https://www.garden-kit.co.uk/products/aspen-fuel/why-petrol-goes-stale
If machinery is stored in ‘cool’ environment, experience suggests, for pure unleaded, it should be fine.
Very different if petrol is left to bake in hot temps and thus evaporate or is mixed with 2St oil.
Also fair to say with seasons extending, machinery is often not left too long before the next use anyway.
Aspen maybe a good fuel but at a price (..and their own agenda?)....
Ive not seen much difference between branded and supermarket fuels, but do see if difference between standard and premium fuel when used in my car ( I now like Shell V Power personally ).
I’d suggest that if a dealer/mechanic told me that (subject to my comment above) I’d be looking for a new supplier !
Or just use a fuel stabiliser that stops the fuel going off for up to 3 yrs.
I start to use this in all my machinery as winter approaches, so any unused machinery is protected, never had any starting issues whatsoever.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRIGGS-STRATTON-PETROL-STABILIZER-FUEL-F...
best to leave a littel petrol in the tank and run the machine once a month then you can add a drop of new when it has used the old
draning the tank and running dry will still leave some in the carb whitch will wax up the mesh filter in the carb and is a real pain to clean
Thanks s lot guys, lots of good advice, think I'll look into the stabiliser as I don't want to risk problems if left.
I recently started a log splitting machine that I had overwintered with fuel in its tank and I had no problems at all. My strimmer (2-stroke) also started first time this spring. I use my blower very rarely (once or twice a year) and never empty the fuel but it starts really well.
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