Ernest, Will it run with starting fluid? (I don't think that's the right name, but I'm drawing a blank).

-----Original Message-----
From: Rotary motors in aircraft [mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Ernest Christley
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2012 8:39 PM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] It won't run no more

I had my engine running fairly well last fall.  Then I turned my attention to propeller building, body work and priming, and buttoning up a hundred other small tasks.

Today, I planned to crank her up a do the first taxi test.  It would not start.  I pulled the plugs and cleaned them. I verified spark and timing with a light.  The closest I could get to a start was a few backfires.  I'm getting air, fuel and spark, and all in the same propotions as I was getting 6mos ago.  The only thing I can think that might be amiss is that the fuel is 6mos old.

I've heard that gas can go sour, but I've never really believed it.  Has anyone else encountered a situation where the fuel is so old that the engine won't light it?