Thread: Does Fuel Go Bad?

As far as I'm aware it only has a shelf life of around 12 months. I'd maybe risk it in a car but not in any type of aircraft, I think you'll find the engine will either run badly and keep stalling or maybe not even run at all.

If it has been kept out of sunlight and in an airtight container it should last for several years. If it looks cloudy then it might have taken on moisture but if it looks clear it may still be good.
I know people that have stored fuel for more than 3 years and it was fine but it depends on if it was opened or kept sealed.

Most likely what would happen if it was bad is the moisture in it would cause poor or erratic running.

The worst thing I can think of is the oil separating but I don't think this happens, that would be the only way it would cause damage as far as I know, otherwise it just won't run well which you can easily try.

What kind of fuel is it?

To be honest this is something I've never even thought about. I have fuel thats been stood for a couple of years at least,its stored in a shed under a bench so maybe semi darkness and ive had no problems. In fact i hadn't flown my eurocopter (trex600/os 50 hyper) at all last year. I charged the receiver battery last week , checked it over topped up the fuel from a used bottle and it started and ran perfectly.( to start it i turned it over for around 10 seconds attached the glow clip and it fired and ran )

I had fuel go bad that I forgot was in my car boot, it got moisture in it over winter and my engine ran badly for the one tank I tried of it. I now always keep it in my loft which is dry, insulated (and completely concrete before the safety police jump in) and have done for many years now with no issues!


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Fuel more than 6 months old should not be used in you helicopter.
Send it to me and I'll use it in mine
Seriously though Fuel will last for years on the shelf.
Unlike most lipos