Symptoms of Bad Gas In Your Car (& How to Get Rid Of It)

What Causes Gas to Go Bad?

Gas can go bad if it sits in your tank for an extended period. Auto experts estimate that gas can go bad after three months. This is because the gas begins to break down and it will become less effective in the engine.

Signs Of Bad Gas In Your Car

Signs of bad gas can include engine stalling and startup issues, lack of acceleration, a lit check engine light, and more.

Engine Stalling

If your engine is slowing down its operation or no longer functioning, then it is in the process of stalling. This can happen if you are attempting to drive with old or bad gasoline in the tank.

Engine Start-up Issues

Let’s say you have had a car that has been sitting in your garage for months. If you try to start up the vehicle, the gasoline may have degraded to a point that it will not be able to turn over the engine.

Lack of Acceleration

The quality of gasoline plays a big role in the performance of the vehicle. For instance, high octane gas is required for exotic sports cars. Therefore, if you are driving with bad gasoline, your engine will not have the proper fuel that it needs to deliver the desired acceleration.

Check Engine Light

Anytime there is an issue with the vehicle’s engine, your vehicle’s check engine light will come on. This can typically happen when you are driving with bad gasoline in the vehicle. When this happens, it is a good idea to go to a service center and have the vehicle inspected with a diagnostic scan tool.

Delayed Gear Shifting

Bad gasoline will affect just about every part of your vehicle’s performance. This will include the transmission and the vehicle’s ability to shift gears. If you notice that gears are slipping, then you may have bad gas in the vehicle.

Burn More Gas

Bad gas will be diluted and it will not be as effective as good gasoline. Therefore, you will need to burn more gas just to maintain the normal operation of the vehicle. This could lead to more trips to the fuel station.

How to Avoid Contaminated Gas

You don’t want to end up with contaminated gas in your vehicle. Therefore it is important to take the right steps to avoid contaminated gas:

Avoid Leaving Gas in Your Tank for More Than Three Months

If you are planning to garage or store your vehicle for more than three months, then you will want to drain the tank.

Use High-Quality Gas

It is always a good idea to use high-quality gas. This is especially true if you drive a high-performance vehicle. The better the gas, the better the performance.

Use a Fuel Additive

Be sure to add a fuel additive that can help protect the quality of the gas in your tank.

Testing for Bad Gas

Make sure you know when you have bad gas in your vehicle. You can test for bad gas by swapping the gas and checking how much water is in the gasoline. If there is a higher than usual concentration of water in the gas, then it is considered “bad” and the vehicle gas tank will need to be drained.

How To Test For Bad Gasoline 

If you suspect that your vehicle's performance issues may be due to bad gasoline, test and confirm your suspicions. Follow this step-by-step guide to test for bad gasoline: 

Step 1: Gather supplies 

To test for bad gasoline, you need a few supplies: a clean, empty glass container with a lid (such as a mason jar), a sample of the suspect gasoline, and a gasoline test kit available at most automotive supply stores. 

Step 2: Prepare the container 

Ensure that the glass container is clean and free from any contaminants. Use a glass container as some plastic containers may react with gasoline, affecting the accuracy of the test. 

Step 3: Collect a gasoline sample 

Using a fuel-safe container, carefully extract a sample of the suspect gasoline from your vehicle's fuel tank. Be cautious not to spill or contaminate the sample during the collection process. 

Step 4: Perform the water separation test 

Open the gasoline test kit and carefully follow the instructions provided. Most kits involve mixing a specific amount of gasoline with water and observing the results. Typically, bad gasoline will cause the water and gasoline to separate, resulting in distinct layers. 

Step 5: Check for sediment or debris 

Examine the gasoline sample for any sediment or debris that may have settled at the bottom of the container. If you notice particles or impurities, it could be a sign of bad gasoline. 

Step 6: Smell and inspect the gasoline 

Take a moment to smell the gasoline sample. Bad gasoline often emits a strong, pungent odor. Additionally, visually inspect the gasoline for any unusual coloration or cloudiness. 

Step 7: Compare with fresh gasoline 

To verify your findings, obtain a sample of fresh, uncontaminated gasoline from a trusted source. Perform the same tests outlined above on the fresh gasoline and compare the results with your suspect sample. 

Step 8: Seek professional assistance 

If the tests indicate that the gasoline is indeed bad, consult a professional mechanic or technician. They can provide further analysis, diagnose any potential vehicle issues caused by the bad gasoline, and guide you in the appropriate steps for resolution. 

How To Get Water Out Of Gas 

Here is how you can remove water from gas: 

Park your vehicle in a well-ventilated area 

Park your vehicle in a safe location with good ventilation. Performing the water removal process outdoors or in a well-ventilated garage prevents the harmful fumes from building up.  

Disconnect the fuel pump fuse or relay 

Locate the fuel pump fuse or relay in your vehicle's fuse box. Disconnect the fuel pump to stop fuel circulation.  

Drain the gas tank 

Locate the drain plug on your gas tank. The location may vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Use a wrench or pliers to remove the drain plug and allow the water-contaminated gasoline to drain completely into a suitable container. 

Dispose of the contaminated gasoline 

Properly dispose of the water-contaminated gasoline in accordance with local regulations. Contact your local waste management facility or hazardous waste disposal center for guidance. 

Inspect the fuel filter 

Check the fuel filter for signs of water or debris. If the filter is visibly contaminated, replace it with a new one to ensure optimal fuel flow and prevent any potential issues down the line. 

Add a fuel additive 

Purchase a fuel additive designed to remove water from the fuel system. Add it according to the instructions. The additive helps eliminate any remaining traces of water and prevent further accumulation. 

Refill the gas tank 

With the drain plug securely back in place, refill the gas tank with fresh, uncontaminated gasoline. This dilutes any remaining water and ensures proper fuel combustion. 

Reconnect the fuel pump fuse or relay 

Reconnect the fuel pump fuse or relay to restore fuel circulation in your vehicle. Start the engine and allow it to run for a few minutes. This ensures that the fresh gasoline and fuel additive circulate.  

How to Remove Bad Gas From Your Car

Once you have determined that there is bad gas in your tank, you will need to have the gas tank drained. Here is the four-step process to getting the job done.

1. Remove Gas Tank

The first thing that you will need to do is remove the gas tank from the vehicle.

2. Siphon Gas From the Tank

After the gas tank has been removed, then a siphoning tube can be used to remove the gas from the tank until the tank is completely emptied.

3. Add Dry Gasoline

Now add dry gasoline. This is an alcohol-based additive that helps treat gas tanks that have been contaminated.

4. High Octane Gasoline

Finally, fill up your gas tank with high octane gasoline. Even if you don’t have a high-performance vehicle, you will want to make sure that your engine is receiving the highest quality gas so it can provide better performance after being contaminated with bad gas.