I'm just storing an extra 10 gallons of gasolene - (for chainsaw use) and relying on other things like solar panels/batteries for in home energy usage..

I bought my 10 gallons of gasolene yesterday - have it stored in 2 of the 5-gallon european metal gas cannisters....Today, I went out to add some stabil to the gasolene - and when I opened the cannisters,, the gasolene had expanded clear to the top of the opening....I siphoned the extra gas out to an extra container .

Question - should I be checking the gasolene and/or "venting" it on a regular basis? I had assumed once the gasolene was in the can,, it would be okay without further intervention.....

Any tips would be appreciated.....I don't like to store extra gasolene (which is why I didn't buy a generator)...and will use the gas in my car if y2k is a bump in the road....

-- mmmm (mmmm@mmmm.com), December 09, 1999

Answers

I'm wondering about this too, plus I have another question. I haven't filled my gasoline storage cans yet but plan to do so soon. My BIL said to fill the metal containers all the way up. Should I? Would I do the same for the plastic containers? Or do I leave a couple of inches for expansion? What about that little vent cap on the plastic containers? Leave it open or open it only for pouring?

Guess I'm fuel-challenged.

-- Jill D. (jdance@mindspring.com), December 09, 1999.

The gasoline came out of the pump at 55 F. and cooled the air inside the can. The gasoline expands a tiny bit, but the air exapnds a whole bunch. Therefore, if you fill a can all the way to the top and leave as little air as possible, you will have less expansion problems. Of course the can should never be allowed to sit in the sun due to expansion and aging problems. It would be best to fill the cans up with gasoline that is the same temperature that you think will be as warm as it gets during storage. Therefore, filling two cans only 4/5 full, letting it warm to "room temp" and then top up one would be a good idea. Big caveat! Many fuel containers are built so that there is always a pocket of air even if you fill the fill spout all the way to the top. If filled cool and opened warm the increase in air pressure from heat (or even shifts in barometric pressure) will reward you with a little geyser of gasoline when you begin to unscrew or release the lid. Been there, done that. If your can is like that you may wish to prop it at an angle so the air pocket is by the opening when you start to open it so you can release the pressure safely.

Please note that if you have a can that is only say 1/3 full and warm, and you seal it tight and the temperature drops a whole bunch, that can mght collapse from negative pressure and bend the heck out of it permanently. Been there, done that. If you are not moving the can, opening the pressure release lid just enough to keep air moving but not all the way off to let dust in, is a good idea.

-- Ken Seger (kenseger@earthlink.net), December 09, 1999.

http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/bulletin/longterm_gasoline/index.html

Go to this page, do not pass go, do not collect $200, and follow the instructions to the letter. Do not vent your gas cans (or drums as in my case), seal them tight.

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), December 09, 1999.

Thank you very much Don! I went to the link and printed them all off. I only plan to store a small amount of gas (4-6 gals) just for emergency use if needed for power tools or in the car if need be, but this will give me confidence that I can do it safely!

-- Sammie (sammiex0@hotmail.com), December 09, 1999.

Don Kulha,

I tried to access the site you mentioned, but only got on to Chevron's homepage. From there I couldn't find anything related to storage of gasoline. Could you copy and reprint to this thread. Many thanks...

-- (keninmarble@yahoo.com), December 09, 1999.

Don Kulha,

I tried to access the site you mentioned, but only got on to Chevron's homepage. From there I couldn't find anything related to storage of gasoline. Could you copy and reprint to this thread ? Many thanks...

-- Kenin Marble (keninmarble@yahoo.com), December 09, 1999.

kenin... I got to the site without any problems. Try again?

-- (rcarver@inacom.com), December 09, 1999.

the last line of your question "will use the gas in my car", have you tried to sifon(sp?) gas out of your car yet? got nervous with people looking at me with 3 gas cans at the filling station. decided i would just fill the car up and sifon into my storage container. however the hose can not get through the curved pipe that goes to the tank. had heard that newer cars can't be sifoned, but my car is 10 years old, maybe you should try it now before you are depending on using it and can't. laura

-- laura cavallari (ladygoat13@aol.com), December 09, 1999.

link

-- rb (ronbanks_2000@yahoo.com), December 10, 1999.

Thanks, Ken & Don - this is just what I needed. And thanks, RB, for the link.

-- Jill D. (jdance@mindspring.com), December 10, 1999.