Still running last years alky. Does it go bad or does it lose it bang? Drum is in shop out of sunlight
Just wondering if it would be slower than fresh alky
Thx
Brian

If it is in a sealed metal drum, It will be the same forever. Nothing can get it, nothing can get out

I have ran some that was eight or ten years old with no problems.

As long as sealed tight usually no problem. Hydrometer will tell you. ABA runs with new will tell you also.

hydrometer is about the only thing to watch for. If it was stored sealed, it is good. I hear people get hung up about where or how the barrel is stored. But again, if it is sealed, there is no way for moisture to get in.
Sunlight isn't a big thing for alky.

What are acceptable limits/ readings with a hydrometer? Reading that is safe to use?

Whatever is in the tanks of my cars or in jugs at the end of the season stays that way all winter. In the spring I fill up any just that were empty, fire up the cars and go racing. No difference.

https://computech.com/download...r%20Instructions.pdf

scroll to the bottom of the page

For an example, If my methanol checked .7875 @ 75 deg. which is perfect, what would be a bad number to the point that I would be afraid to run the fuel? Would it be .789? .795 ect.
Just trying to know where to junk the bad fuel if it is bad. Has anyone ever had water contaminated or bad fuel??
Thanks, just trying to better understand..

Methanol has some unusual properties. As an experiment, pour a small amount of methanol in a glass then add a small amount of water. Stir the mix and you will see that the water blends completely.

To answer your question, I think less than 1% of water is a good guide. All though after years of racing with Methanol, I have never checked any that was not right on the spec.

As stated above, sealed drums, inside a building and it will keep for a long time. One thing I do, and it is just personal preference, after a race outing I pour the fuel jugs back into the main drum. Plus I cap the fuel cell vent and carb vents. Can't hurt anything.

I have had run kicked out because alky asorbed water, Working on uder tent while it was raining and forgot to cover vent line.Next day had a number 3 quailing shot kicked out because something in fuel.Tech guy said probably water but could not tell.

I have had a barrel partially refill itself because someone forgot to tighten cap and a match would go out if thrown into a cup full.

Not sure what number is point where it goes totally bad.IMO if it checks off any its not worth wasting a cpl runs when you compare cost of fuel.

Keep sealed tight,out of direct sun(heat) and you should be fine.

I can tell you that a friend left the cap off a drum for a week. He was afraid to run it. There was 20 gallons and I took it. Won 2 races with it. LOL Zero difference from my new drum of fuel I was running. You just don’t know without testing but in 30 years of running methanol I’ve never had any cause a problem and I am similar to Lenny in the way I handle fuel. He and I disagree on some stuff but we’re together on alcohol.

Curtis

Ok I guess in one sense buying a hydrometer is a waste of money. If for bracket racing the methanol runs consistent its OK, otherwise if running a heads up class make sure its pure.
I have a drum that has been sitting for a while and there is a possibility that some moisture could have slightly contaminated the drum and just wanting to make sure its OK.I guess the only way to know is to run it and see if its consistent. I myself have been running methanol for 20 years or so and have never had a problem but always wondered about the quality of methanol I purchase / store sometimes.

Thanks for all who attributed to this..