Do you ALWAYS shut off the fuel when done?

[J-Mech]

I can see this thread getting into a major debate, which I don't want to be part of. FWIW, it really is an opinion. And those are like armpits and ........

I'll say this and I'm done. Years ago, I used to drain the tanks and run the fuel out of anything that sat over the winter. Weedeaters, push mowers and the like. In the spring, carb gaskets and fuel lines had dried out, and then when gas was returned they leaked. I had to rebuild it all anyway. I have also had to do the same thing here at the shop for other people's equipment for the same reasons. I really think it's "six to one, half a dozer to the other". If it makes you feel better to shut it off, then do it. I really don't think it matters either way.

[j4c11]

I think the other issue may be an issue of safety as well. If you dump 4 gallons of fuel on the floor in a small garage and try to use the garage door opener the following morning you may have an unpleasant surprise.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by j4c11

I think the other issue may be an issue of safety as well. If you dump 4 gallons of fuel on the floor in a small garage and try to use the garage door opener the following morning you may have an unpleasant surprise.

Gasoline isn't as explosive as Hollywood would like you to believe. LOL! A garage door opener won't ignite gas fumes. For one, it's way too high.

[j4c11]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Gasoline isn't as explosive as Hollywood would like you to believe. LOL! A garage door opener won't ignite gas fumes. For one, it's way too high.

Maybe not explosive, but flammable. A gallon of gas produces 36.38 cubic feet of vapor, and the flammability/explosive limits of gasoline are 1.4% to 7.6% . That means that 4 gallons of gas will produce enough fumes to ignite in a space of 2000 - 10,000 cubic feet. The average 2 car garage is about 400 sq feet with 10 foot ceilings , but even a 1,000 sq foot garage would be in range. Unless my math is off, I think the danger is real, if not from a garage door opener then a spark, or batteries charging etc.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by j4c11

Maybe not explosive, but flammable. A gallon of gas produces 36.38 cubic feet of vapor, and the flammability/explosive limits of gasoline are 1.4% to 7.6% . That means that 4 gallons of gas will produce enough fumes to ignite in a space of 2000 - 10,000 cubic feet. The average 2 car garage is about 400 sq feet with 10 foot ceilings , but even a 1,000 sq foot garage would be in range. Unless my math is off, I think the danger is real, if not from a garage door opener then a spark, or batteries charging etc.

You math is fine, your real world experience is off. Fire hazard I agree. Possibility, yes. Likely...... no. I have blown sparks into containers of gasoline on accident before that never ignited. Numerous other situations that a fire was possible, but never occured. I've ignited gasoline on purpose on more than one occasion. It takes a flame. Sparks won't do it. In a perfect situation, it's possible I suppose. But I'm not losing any sleep over it. This is a silly debate. I'm done.

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by j4c11

Maybe not explosive, but flammable. A gallon of gas produces 36.38 cubic feet of vapor, and the flammability/explosive limits of gasoline are 1.4% to 7.6% . That means that 4 gallons of gas will produce enough fumes to ignite in a space of 2000 - 10,000 cubic feet. The average 2 car garage is about 400 sq feet with 10 foot ceilings , but even a 1,000 sq foot garage would be in range. Unless my math is off, I think the danger is real, if not from a garage door opener then a spark, or batteries charging etc.

One other thing to consider is how air tight the garage is. Idk about your shop, but if I dumped gallons of gas on my shop floor and let it sit overnight, it'd be cleared up by morning. My shop isn't horrible, but there is air movement overnight. It'd still stink, but the danger would be minimal/none. You have to have the right vaporization of gas to have a boom boom. Its not gases liquid state that is the danger, its when it atomizes. The point is, explosions/fire, while present, is the last thing on my list of reasons to turn gas off.

But like John (who said he was done 3 posts ago ) I'm done with the debate about danger part. I was just curious how many people did and didn't turn gas off

[j4c11]

Originally Posted by jimbob200521

I was just curious how many people did and didn't turn gas off

If you're just interested in counts and not reasons put up a poll and people can vote.

[red56turbo]

Originally Posted by j4c11

If you're just interested in counts and not reasons put up a poll and people can vote.

Good point. Ryan, you did ask if people leave the gas on or turn it off and if so, why. I'm not gonna take sides on combustability of gas/gas vapors in closed spaces, nor am I gonna do an experiment to see if it is correct or not. I'll leave that up to the experts............

All my cubs are diesels and I leave the fuel on. Even if I did wanna shut them off, its a PITA to get to the fuel shutoff with a three point on the back.


When I was running gassers, 1X8/9's, I'd shut the gas off just because that was what I was taught growing up as a kid. No side panels to mess with, though.

[jkier]

I always shut it off!


Except this time..
Just used my 147 for the first time in a couple of months
Had the fuel shut off for the time it sat.

Everything was great, parked it in the barn without shutting the fuel off.

Walked in the next morning and was met with a smack in the face of fuel smell.

Nice puddle under the tractor.

[bocephus1991]

I do on my 1200 I can wiggle my finger in and flip it up or down. It's not easy but I can do it. My 1211 I leave on.