is this bad gas?

[R Mangas]

  My 86 4kq, while ugly and rattly and noisy, runs PERFECT.  Or it did until
I tried to leave for work this morning.

  Yesterday I got gas at the usual place (less than 1 mile from my house),
checked the oil and found I needed a top up.  Got home and parked.  Popped
the hood and added about 1/3qt oil.  Put the filler cap back on (checked ;)
).  Decided to top off the battery as well, as cold morning starts were a
little slower than normal.  Nothing major there- cells were down a bit but
plates weren't visible. Sealed everything back up.

  Go to leave this morning, and as usual it started right up but then
stalled.  WTF?  It did that about 10 times, starting fine then stalling
immediately.  If I crack the throttle while starting, it revved up then
stalled.  A couple times it would 'idle' for 10-15 seconds, but it might
have been firing on 1 cyl every 4th rotation...

  To me bad gas is the obvious answer, but if that's the case why did it
start well?  Still good gas in the CSV line?  10 starts worth?

  Could I have gotten Something Important below the battery wet when adding
water? (it was done rather sloppily, but there was no electrolyte spilled,
just water).

  Suggestions for diagnosis/remediation gladly accepted.

  Thanks!
Robert




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