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What happens when you use fuel that’s gone bad?

Posted by Alex Smith on

With fuel costs rising, you might wonder what’s the harm in using some slightly old fuel in your vehicle. These car enthusiasts discuss the crucial reasons not to use bad fuel, and why you should make that extra trip to the gas station.

Vedran Krampelj

Vedran Krampelj

Owner of .

Clog Fuel Lines, Affect The Efficiency Of The Vehicle, And Poor Fuel Economy

Using fuel that has gone bad can have a number of negative consequences for your vehicle.

First and foremost, bad fuel can cause engine problems. When fuel goes bad, it can form gums and varnishes that can clog fuel lines, filters, and carburetors. This can lead to reduced fuel flow and engine performance issues, such as a loss of power or stalling. In severe cases, it can even cause engine damage.

In addition to engine problems, using bad fuel can also affect the overall efficiency of your vehicle. If the fuel is not combusting properly, it can lead to poor fuel economy and increased emissions. This can not only cost you more money at the pump, but it can also have negative environmental consequences.

It is important to regularly check the fuel in your vehicle and replace it if it has gone bad. This can help ensure that your vehicle is running at its best and can help prevent costly repair bills in the long run.

Andrew Kuttow

Andrew Kuttow

RV travel blogger at .

A Whole Variety Of Engine Problems

When fuel degrades, it can lead to a variety of engine problems. If the fuel has water, it will separate from the gasoline and settle at the bottom of the tank, where it can corrode metal components. This corrosion can cause blockages in the fuel system, which can result in reduced performance or even engine failure.

Additionally, if the fuel has become contaminated with bacteria, this can form sludge in the tank, which can cause clogs and potentially damage the fuel system. If you suspect that your fuel is bad, it's important to have it tested and replaced as soon as possible. Keeping your vehicle's fuel clean will help ensure optimal performance and longevity of your engine.

Michal Suski

Michal Suski

Co-Founder & CPO of .

Leads To Carbon Deposits On Vital Components Of Your Engine

When it comes to fuel that has gone bad, one thing is certain: you don't want to use it in your vehicle or machinery! Using bad fuel can cause significant damage because of its impurities, such as water or dirt, that can corrode parts of your engine, like injectors or spark plugs.

Additionally, if the fuel has been sitting for too long, it may have degraded chemically due to oxidation processes occurring inside the container. This could lead to carbon deposits on vital components of your engine, leading to reduced performance or even failure altogether. The best advice is always to check with an expert before using any kind of fuel in your car or machine - better safe than sorry!

A few years ago, I had a really old trike motorcycle that I was trying to get running. Not wanting to shell out for fresh fuel, I opted to use the gasoline from my lawn mower's tank instead. Needless to say, this didn't end well - after just a couple of minutes of riding, it started making weird noises and eventually stopped altogether.

After some tinkering and troubleshooting, it turned out that the old gas had caused corrosion in several components of the engine leading to its failure. Lesson learned: always use only freshly purchased fuel when working on your vehicles!

This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors' statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.

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