Portable tank and Stabilizer

[DonHof]

I have a new portable tank. If I run regular gas I have no problem with the
gas gauge. As soon as I put a stabilizer in the gauge is way off.
Do I really need a stabilizer in gas with out alcohol? I been to six shops
and no one seems to know what the problem is. I'm on my fourth gas
gauge float.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Portable tank and Stabilizer

Ahhh! Yet another reason to call it "Snake OIl."

The stabilizer is probably either dissolving or "waterlogging" the float. So the question becomes: Do you need the stabilizer? If you are using the gas relatively quickly --NO. For long term storage? Depends upon your engine. older engines without fuel injection do not need "Snake Oil." I have burned gasoline that was well over three years old and smelled like turpentine in my older engines and they were perfectly content to use it.

But another question is: Do you really NEED a gauge on a portable tank? I always thought that was a bit of overkill. Generally, you can look through the side to see the level.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Portable tank and Stabilizer

Fuel system stabilizers are a liquid. If it indeed saturated the float to the point where it wouldn't float, it would not dry out with regular gas and then repeat the cycle. As for whether or not you need fuel stabilizer the answer is yes and no. No if you don't care about what might happen in the engine. Yes if you want to eliminate the possibility of a fuel related problem. Fuel system treatments did not arise as an Ethanol ONLY treatment. They have been around for decades and yes -- regular gas does go bad, does get contaminated, and can cause engine related issues. Why on earth do people complain about fuel system problems after switching to E10? Does it not then mean the original "regular" gas left the deposits and varnish that E10 is cleaning up. Wake up folks.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Portable tank and Stabilizer

The gas gauge on my 12 gallon red polyethylene portable tank is mostly worthless anyway, so I just remove the cap and look in the tank. The fuel stabilizer is probably a lot more important to your motor's fuel delivery system than that gas gauge is to you. Good Luck!

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Portable tank and Stabilizer

The gas gauge on my 12 gallon red polyethylene portable tank is mostly worthless anyway, so I just remove the cap and look in the tank. The fuel stabilizer is probably a lot more important to your motor's fuel delivery system than that gas gauge is to you. Good Luck!

+1 I use a ruler.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Portable tank and Stabilizer

Speedometers on boats tend to exhagerate... Fuel gauges can be out and out liars! Know your boat. Know your equipment. Stay familiar at all times, especially when out on the water. Rely on your own knowledge and skills.

 

[DonHof]

Re: Portable tank and Stabilizer

Have the problem fixed, the marines was no help! Mercury was no help.
I solve the problem myself. Everything is working like it should.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Portable tank and Stabilizer

Have the problem fixed, the marines was no help! Mercury was no help.
I solve the problem myself. Everything is working like it should.

That's great. Why don't you fill us in.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Portable tank and Stabilizer

So what did you find.

You came here asking for help, now you can help others by sharing your discovery. It may have been something someone else will need to know, and if it was something you were doing, there is bound to be someone else doing the same thing.

So, enlighten us.

 

[DonHof]

Re: Portable tank and Stabilizer

I came here asking for help but didn't get any! All I got was stuff I knew already.
Sure I could look in the tank and see how much gas was in there,
or look though the plastic and see how much. But that wasn't the question.
After spending good money on a 30hp outboard, you expect it to work.
You wouldn't go buy a car and say oh the gas gauge is off but that's OK!

I found out that I wasn't mixing the gas and stabilizer good enough.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Portable tank and Stabilizer

Holy Cow, I am sorry I asked. So, maybe next time when you need help you should ask someone else.

There are always 3 kinds of answers on a forum and you got all 3. You get to choose which ones work for you. But if you are not willing to let the others express themselves, which can stimulate responses, then don't ask.

If someone wanted to be really unkind (certainly not me) they would point out that the mistake was so basic that none of thought of it. But, hey, that's why I asked for clarification, now I will know to ask if the mix was stirred up before going on.

So, thanks.

 

[DonHof]

Re: Portable tank and Stabilizer

Bob's Garage,

I didn't want to sound like a butt, I just get a little tired of asking a simple
question and you get some of the dumbest answers. This is my first boat
and paid lots of dollars, (to me anyway) I would think that things should work.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Portable tank and Stabilizer

Yeah, we all understand the frustrations of owning a boat. My 1st three boats were "used" and every one was a pain in the *** but I loved them. And I had no one to ask questions of, had to find it out for myself.

So this time I bought a new boat and it has problems, only different ones. They are just not like buying and owning a car, darn it. But I think that for most of us, we wouldn't trade for anything else.

Don't be concerned about asking, don't be surprised at the weird answers and try to find that one bit of real helpful information out of all the entertaining answers your question will generate.

Happy boating!

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Portable tank and Stabilizer

I have been boating for 50 years and have had over 20 boats, both new & used and the only time I use Stabilizer is when Winterizing.

I wouldn't waste my money on it unless your Winterizing.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Portable tank and Stabilizer

Well, I think this must be a first.

I didn't know it was possible to use stabilizer incorrectly..