what to do for winter

[MFisher]

My question is this, when putting the boat up for the winter should I
a) fill with gas and stabalizer run the motor on the hose for a about 5 to 10 min. or

b) should i try to drain the gas out of the block and just treat the gas in the tank.

I have heard pros and cons to both but anyone with an opinion on this would be nice

 

[starcraft1982]

Re: what to do for winter

Leave the gas in.Corrosion can occur in an emty bowl.Treat the gas w/marine stabil or equivilant and leave it in.No worries next spring!

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: what to do for winter

Treat the gas w/marine stabil

I wouldnt. Been hearing alot of bad, bad things about that.

Just use any regular gas treatment. As for gas in bowl or not. I for one and go either way. If empty, nothing in it to go bad, if full and stabil, your good too.

 

[starcraft1982]

Re: what to do for winter

What bad things have you heard?You said just put any regular gas treatment in,and thats EXACTLY what marine stabil is????Of course,just like seafoam,etc.,it is not a cure all for dirty engines and can actually clog up jets,etc. if ran through a dirty fuel system as it loosens crud and allows it to flow through system.But,as a helper in clean engines to keep clean and as a stabilizer,marine stabil is just fine,and better than lots.IMO

 

[MFisher]

Re: what to do for winter

Thanks for the info. I have already gone with treating the fuel with stabil and leave it as is, But should I fill the tank up for the winter or leave it a 1/4 full. Thats more of the real question, I have heard and it makes sence that if you have a half empty or more tank that to much moister can form and deposit it's self into the fuel heance high water issues. If the tank is full less area for condinsation to form and less water. Is that true, fill it up or keep it were it's at. Oh Yea one other thing I use the blue marine stabil all the time should I go to red for the winter too. thanks every one.

 

[Rellik546]

Re: what to do for winter

fill it up, the more gas in the tank the less condensation that can build up in the tank. i just put regular fuel stabilizer, anything that seperates water. i suppose marine grade is best, u just happen to have to pay more for it because it says marine on it. but might as well spend the extra money. it saves you money in the long run.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: what to do for winter

I get a kick out of "don't use SeaFoam because it can loosen crud and debris thus plugging things up!" Well, the crud and debris that is in the system now will continue to build and perhaps already is causing lean operation and eventual engine destruction that would likely be blamed on E10. That logic is what is giving E10 fuel a bad rap. If you know you have a broken leg you get it fixed. You don't continue walking on it until it is no longer repairable. By all means use SeaFoam, or Stabil, orStartron or Ring Free, or any of the other fuel system treatments that actually clean and protect the fuel system. As a note -- adding fuel system treatments to the gas tank protects only whats in the tank. Run the engine for a few minutes after adding the stuff so it can get into the engine fuel system where the problem is actually likely to occur.

 

[capslock118]

Re: what to do for winter

I use sta-bil, i fill the fuel tank to the brim prior to the winter, put the entire sta-bil container in (it's for the size of my fuel tank), then run the engine for 10-15min. Unplug the fuel line while engine is running, wait until the engine starts to putter then I begin to rev the engine to keep it running until it really stalls out.

that is close to - but not exactly - mercury recommendation.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: what to do for winter

OK, after you sort out the Stabil debate, remember to let the water drain out of the motor in the verticle position after you flush it, change the gear oil and hit the grease fittings. Corrosion inhibiting spray is good for the outside of the block. You might want to fog the motor while running on the flusher device as well.