Gasoline Stabilizers

[eurolarva]

I posted a similar question under chryslers and have got some good feedback. I am not totally sure on what to do. From my previous post I gather that I should keep my gas can full at all times to prevent condensation or water in my gas. I live in minnesota and there is six months of time when my gas tank sits in my garage over the winter. If I use stabilizer should I be able to use this gas in spring or do I have to haul it to a hazardous waste site and use fresh gas mix. Also when I am not using my boat in the summer should I be topping off the tank and closing the breather valve when motor is not in use? Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: Gasoline Stabilizers

Gas will not go stale if kept in a tightly closed container in just 6 months, and anyone that tells you different is wrong.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Gasoline Stabilizers

I add stabilizer and keep tank full (built in 12 gallon) over winter and use the gas in spring. Many here will tell you that you can't keep the gas that long, but I always have. <br /><br />Yes keep the tank closed. If tank is sealed from air circulation, moisture can't get inside. So it doesn't have to be full.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Gasoline Stabilizers

Lakeman, before I explain why you are wrong, please tell us your theory on why it doesn't deteriorate in a tightly closed container.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Gasoline Stabilizers

In Iboats chat it was recommended to me to use an inline clear filter for my gas tank. Will this filter actually filter water out or does it show me that I have water in my gas?

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: Gasoline Stabilizers

Wally, you want an explanation, my statement was<br /><br />"Gas will not go stale if kept in a tightly closed container in just 6 months, and anyone that tells you different is wrong."<br /><br />I do not know how old you are, but I am basing my statement on a lifetime of experience (and true personal experience of anyone is fact not fiction). everything on earth, degrades at some pace, including the human body. If an armored tank sits in the weather long enough, it will degrade to nothing but rust, but it will take a long time. My statement was that fuel if properly handled will not spoil in six months. Yes it is constantly deteriating, but "no one" (uh, er, ah not even I) can tell you at what time it will be unusable, and anyone that says it will be ruined in 6 months may be referring to heresay, but heresay is often not a factual source for information, and there fore they do not know what they are talking about.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Gasoline Stabilizers

One thing to keep in mind. Even though the gas may still be usable, the evaporation in the fuel system will quite often leave a residue that will restrict carburetor jets and orifices.<br />Full tanks with a fuel stabilizer works best for me. Not just boats, but any gas powered equipment that is left unused for an extended period of time. 6 months would be an extended peiod to me.<br />FWIW, I recently saw an old Merc outboard started and run with 4 year old gas/oil mix. It didn't run good, but I would have bet it would never start. When the guy asked me about why it might be running bad, the first thing I checked was to be sure he had gas. When I removed the cap, it smelled like paint thinner. Then he told me he hadn't used that tank for 4 years. Clean tank, fresh gas/oil mix and it ran fine.<br /><br />Charles

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Gasoline Stabilizers

Regardless of how long you and I have been here, I have had the opertunity to study fuels in several different stages of refinement, and because of temperature changes, the molecular structure of the fuel changes, and 87 octane in an inclosed container, in a dark room, looses approximately 30 percent of it's normal value in 60 days, @ 70deg F. 10 years ago, the same test with 87 octane revealed only an 11 percent drop in 60 days @70deg. F.<br /> This test was done by an independant firm for Briggs & Stratton, and as a result, they recommend running all fuel mixed with 5ml. of stabilizer to every gallon of gas, again, for everyday use.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Gasoline Stabilizers

loses 30 percent of its value. what does that actually mean? 30 percent of it's octain rating? man you guys are geeks. just use stabil and the directions on the can and you will be fine.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gasoline Stabilizers

I'm not a Chemist, But, I've found that the Teaspoon of gas in your carb will go Very Bad in a few short months, But the 6 or 12 or 20 gallons in your tank will be just fine in a year.....<br /><br />And, Yes, I start stabilizing All my boat fuel, starting in september... Only because you Never Know Which boat ride will be the Last of the Season....<br />My small engines(chainsaw, ice auger, weed wacker, etc.) get Nothing but stabilized gas....

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Gasoline Stabilizers

I want to thank everyone for your replys. I think the problem I am having is not being careful to make sure vent is closed when not in use. I have noticed some wierd things with the vent closed when the tank is in the sun(even for periods less than an hour). Tank starts collapsing and when I open the vent a bunch of air either enters or exits from tank. Sounds like taking air out of a car tire. I plan on switching to a two gallon tank and I will use stabilizer and try and keep tank as full as possible.