Ah, the spring. Now that the weather has warmed and the grass is growing, it's time to bring out the lawn mower and give your yard the first haircut of the year. Unfortunately, no sooner do you start your mower than you run into problems.
After having a hard time getting the mower to start, now it's idling badly and stalling out all over the place. You also hear strange noises. Is there something wrong with your mower?
Possibly, but there's also a chance that you've left gasoline in your mower that has gone bad. Here's what you need to know about old gas, and what to do about it.
Does Gasoline Have a Shelf Life?
Gasoline has a shelf life of three to six months, which may seem surprising considering it’s derived from oil that’s remained in the ground for millions of years. But that’s due to how gasoline is made: refineries turn heavy crude oil into lighter gasoline better suited for engines using a process that involves heating the oil in a furnace until it vaporizes. Over time, oxidation and evaporation take their toll on gasoline’s desirable properties, making it no good for engines anymore.
Considering the fact that most homeowners put their lawn mowers into storage for a few months once the weather turns cold, it's not surprising they often find issues with bad gas when it comes time to put those mowers back out to pasture.