Aircraft storage

How long can an aircraft sit unused before the fuel gums up and contaminates
the fuel system?
For instance, if I leave a motorcycle sit too long without a fuel stabilizer
added to the gas, the gas goes bad after a few months and gums up the carbs.
The entire fuel system is affected after a while. Big problem if you try to
store an automobile without lots of prep since fuel lines and everything can
gum up.
What is the life of av gas before it goes bad?
If it's like white gas it can sit almost indefinately. If it's like auto
fuel it can't sit for long.
I ask because some of these planes seem like they're for sale for over a
year or more, and I wonder what kind of problems they have due to sitting
besides the obvious dry startup with no oil on the cam etc. (as if that
isn't enough of a problem)
Alex



--
My 2¢ YMMV

#1ACGuy wrote:

If it's like white gas it can sit almost indefinately. If it's like auto
fuel it can't sit for long.

uhhh..... white gas is a type of unleaded auto gas.

George Patterson
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.

"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message
...


#1ACGuy wrote:

If it's like white gas it can sit almost indefinately. If it's like auto
fuel it can't sit for long.

uhhh..... white gas is a type of unleaded auto gas.
It may be, but it's much more highly refined and can store for much, much
longer than unleaded auto fuel without gumming up. Auto unleaded will only
store for months, white gas may be good for years.

George Patterson
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble
enterprise.

#1ACGuy wrote:

Auto unleaded will only store for months ....

I've been running my 1940 Ford on the same tank for three years now (obviously I
don't take it anywhere -- just run the engine a while).

George Patterson
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.

G.R. Patterson III wrote :

I've been running my 1940 Ford on the same tank for three years now
(obviously I
don't take it anywhere -- just run the engine a while).

You've been fortunate to get a tank of extremely stable gasoline.
Over the last few decades, I've stored a number of motorcycles in my
garage for varying periods. I found that autogas would start to smell
funny after a year. After 2 years, it transformed itself into
something that looked and smelled exactly like turpentine. Needless to
say, by the time the fuel got to that point, the carburetor jets were
hopelessly clogged with a nasty gummy substance.

If you use a gasoline stabilizer like Sta-bil, auto gas can last
quite a bit longer. Fuel makers recognize that planes may go awhile
on the same tank of gas, so they formulate avgas accordingly. Last
time I checked, Chevron and BP both said their avgas would be fine
after a year.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)

#1ACGuy wrote:

"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message
...


#1ACGuy wrote:

If it's like white gas it can sit almost indefinately. If it's like auto
fuel it can't sit for long.

uhhh..... white gas is a type of unleaded auto gas.

It may be, but it's much more highly refined and can store for much, much
longer than unleaded auto fuel without gumming up. Auto unleaded will only
store for months, white gas may be good for years.

It isn't a type of unleaded auto gas, it is a type of naphtha, which
isn't gasoline and isn't benzene, but is between the two in the
distillation process.


Matt

Matt Whiting wrote:

It isn't a type of unleaded auto gas, it is a type of naphtha, which
isn't gasoline and isn't benzene, but is between the two in the
distillation process.

Maybe in some circles, but Amoco unleaded gasoline has been called "white gas"
in the South (at least) since I was born (also at least). It's called that
because it's clear.

George Patterson
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.

G.R. Patterson III wrote:


Matt Whiting wrote:

It isn't a type of unleaded auto gas, it is a type of naphtha, which
isn't gasoline and isn't benzene, but is between the two in the
distillation process.


Maybe in some circles, but Amoco unleaded gasoline has been called "white gas"
in the South (at least) since I was born (also at least). It's called that
because it's clear.

I won't dispute that, but still doesn't make it so. I can call a Ford a
Chevy also, but it doesn't make it so.


Matt

Maybe in some circles, but Amoco unleaded gasoline has been called
"white gas"
in the South (at least) since I was born (also at least). It's called
that
because it's clear.

I remember when I was a kid that you could go to some gas
stations and buy "white gas" from a tank in the back room
(with a handcrank pump). We used it in a Coleman stove.
Then we found out that Amoco premium unleaded could be
used as well, so we used it thereafter (easier to find -
dunno if it was cheaper or not). This was in the '50s in
Ohio. BTW I still have that same Coleman stove, and it
still works.

I have heard that you can store avgas for extended periods -
and I have a way of finding out. I have a trail bike that
has been in storage for a long time (over 10 years). I always
ran it on avgas, and it still has some in the tank. When
I can find a battery for it I'll try starting it and let
you know what happens (was planning to get it going again
anyway).

David Johnson

How long can an aircraft sit unused before the fuel gums up and contaminates
the fuel system? BRBR


According to Chevron, a year or more should be no problem for avgas.


--
Dr. Nuketopia
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