Questions You Always Wanted To Ask... : Wed May 23, 2012 8:11 pm  

Heres mine for starters, a genuine question...

Last November I stupidly ran out of petrol one night and so after walking for miles I had to buy a plastic "can" and fill it with one gallon of petrol, used it in the car, drove back to the garage and refilled the can thinking that I would never again be caught out with no petrol.

Six months later its still in the boot, and I'm wondering, and here's the question - does petrol "go off".

I mean, should I tip it in the tank now and go refill the can or can I keep the can in the boot for years in the sure knowledge that when I eventually have to use it in another emergency running out of petrol scenario, I won't just tip water into the tank and have the last quarter inch as sludge ?

Re: Questions You Always Wanted To Ask... : Wed May 23, 2012 8:18 pm  

Get rid. It's the octane gas levels inside the petrol which gives it it's ability to burn. Eventually over time the octane gas levels will decrease through evaporation and if you use it as the sole petrol in your car it may not work and could cause your engine to become sluggish. You could probably mix it in with your next fill up and be okay but I wouldn't guarantee it. It should be fine mixed with premium due to the higher octane levels in premium petrol but I don't think I'd risk it in my car.

On a side note, as petrol is an oil and therefore not water soluble it'll still look the same but will smell different because of the change of gas levels.

Re: Questions You Always Wanted To Ask... : Wed May 23, 2012 8:18 pm  

McLaren_Field wrote:

Heres mine for starters, a genuine question...

Last November I stupidly ran out of petrol one night and so after walking for miles I had to buy a plastic "can" and fill it with one gallon of petrol, used it in the car, drove back to the garage and refilled the can thinking that I would never again be caught out with no petrol.

Six months later its still in the boot, and I'm wondering, and here's the question - does petrol "go off".

I mean, should I tip it in the tank now and go refill the can or can I keep the can in the boot for years in the sure knowledge that when I eventually have to use it in another emergency running out of petrol scenario, I won't just tip water into the tank and have the last quarter inch as sludge ?

It does, eventually I think, based purely on the colour of the half tank we drained out of one of my fathers old cars that "went up the garden for a couple of weeks untill I can repair it" and it coming back down dor said repairs 20 years later.

Re: Questions You Always Wanted To Ask... : Wed May 23, 2012 8:21 pm  

Sorry only just noticed you said 6 months, should be fine to add it in gradually over a few fill ups instead of wasting it. You're looking at about 12 months before you don't really want to put it in your car as it will effect performance.

Re: Questions You Always Wanted To Ask... : Wed May 23, 2012 9:16 pm  

I've got a question, what language did the Normans speak when they conquered us?

If they spoke French then how come we didn't end up speaking French? Were they actually French?

Re: Questions You Always Wanted To Ask... : Wed May 23, 2012 9:26 pm  

sally cinnamon wrote:

I've got a question, what language did the Normans speak when they conquered us?

If they spoke French then how come we didn't end up speaking French? Were they actually French?

The aristocracy did and certain French words filtered through into English, eg veal, beef, pork and mutton. however, the educated and upper classes also used Latin. The aristocracy had to pick up English to communicate with their peasants.

Re: Questions You Always Wanted To Ask... : Wed May 23, 2012 9:41 pm  

Re: Petrol.

I hope to god you don't smoke, petrol vapour will seep through any plastic container. You do know what sort of explosion even a cup full of it will make?

Try it some time (we did on a scooter rally for -drunken - fun, put me off storing it in ANY confined space!) and you'll not be so keen on carrying it in the back of your car.

Remember, it's the fumes not the fuel that ignites, and the fumes are explosive up to something like a 500:1 air/fuel ratio IIRC. I'd really not want to get rear ended with that on board.

Re: Questions You Always Wanted To Ask... : Wed May 23, 2012 9:48 pm  

always wanted to ask...

as a 16 year old with only 'above average - good' gcses and currently doing pretty abysmally at AS level, why do I keep getting told I'm 'overqualified' for weekend/part-time jobs in shops?

I guess they're just lying and don't want me but yeah, anyone on the other side of these sort of applications

Re: Questions You Always Wanted To Ask... : Wed May 23, 2012 9:52 pm  

You've better qualifications than me, and I had the same problem at that age. Now it's the opposite... I've a job that I'm barely qualified for but they won't get shut of me.

Re: Questions You Always Wanted To Ask... : Wed May 23, 2012 10:37 pm  

the cal train wrote:

always wanted to ask...

as a 16 year old with only 'above average - good' gcses and currently doing pretty abysmally at AS level, why do I keep getting told I'm 'overqualified' for weekend/part-time jobs in shops?

I guess they're just lying and don't want me but yeah, anyone on the other side of these sort of applications

If you're applying to fast food places and such who try to give jobs to people who will stay on for as long as possible (ie, not go to uni) you won't have much luck. When I was at college I worked a weekend job at B&Q and they were great with me so might be worth applying there if they have any vacancies.