Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

[tpenfield]

This question comes up occassionally during the winterization season . . .

Of those who have built-in tanks in their boats, and prep them for winter. . .

Who goes with the 'Tank Full' approach?

Who goes with the 'Tank Empty' approach?

Just wondering . . . .

 

[zopperman]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

I leave it empty

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

really? you think we need to start this again just for the fun of it?:facepalm:

 

[rallyart]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

Everyone already knows the 'right' answer.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

well, first, there is no "empty" but "as close to empty as you can get it." It's what's in between empty and close to empty that will do you in.

Bone dry empty, swabbed out, and then swabbed again before filling in the spring--no problem. But that's not really the question, is it?

I guess by the same token, there really isn't a "full" either.

I had planned to run the rest of my summer gas out (80 gallon tank) during the next couple weeks of striper fishing, but we had a gas war Sunday and I had to buy 40 gallons at 2.94/gallon. So I'm back to full and will probably top it off Jan 1; I'll still run it every weekend or so until the "season" opens in April.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

Use the "Search" function, please. This has been discussed ad nauseum...

 

[JimS123]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

I haven't had an engine problem in 30+ years, ethanol or not. So for the place and conditions I store my boats, my procedure is just perfect. Doesn't matter what that is, because somebody will say I'm wrong anyway so I'm not going to tell.....LOL.

Anyway, the only reason I'm replying is because just today I received my copy of the BoatUS magazine and they had an article that addressed this very question. So, just for grins and giggles I'll repeat what they had to say....

They cited what the major marine manufacturer's recommend (Mercury, et al), plus they consulted with the "expert" marine mechanics that they have on staff. The article also went into various myths about gasoline in general and E10 in particular.

Take it or leave it, and I don't think it requires and comments (we all know the "other" way works too):

* Top it off - keep it full - don't want large airspace in the tank.
* If ethanol - keep it dry, dry, dry (that's a quote).
* E-10 "ages" the same as non-ethanol gas.
* "Additives" serve no purpose.
* Water separating filters are a waste of money - but a good (fine) filter IS necessary, because ethanol cleans out the gunk.
In other words, if you maintain the system right there won't be any water anyway.
* Problems with E-10 are largely a myth. "Myth" meaning that if you follow the recommendations you will not have a problem.
If you do have a problem you didn't read the directions.....LOL.
* E-15 will be a disaster.

 

[cribber]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

I keep it full all year round so I don't have to stop for gas on any given weekend for a day of fun out on water that never goes hard in the winter. Nothing better than burning half a tank of gas on a warm February afternoon.
Don't be hatin... just sayin!!

 

[Philster]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

This epitomizes how polarizing the OP's question is:

>>>Mercury Marine says empty.

>>>Mercruiser says 9/10 full with stabilizer.

Now ain't that some $hi-?

AIN'T BOATING FUN?!

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

This epitomizes how polarizing the OP's question is:

>>>Mercury Marine says empty.

>>>Mercruiser says 9/10 full with stabilizer.

End of thread right there! There is no single right answer... Which also means you really can't screw it up!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

Yes, sorry for the can of worms . . . BUT,

I leave mine as Empty as I can get it.

Much of the wisdom on leaving the tank 'Full' for winter is based on gasoline prices of 20 years ago. If you have got a 100 gallon (+/-) tank, like my boat, then cost comes into play. It would cost me around $400 to fill the tank, depending on where I buy the fuel. That seems like a lot of money sitting out on the trailer doing nothing for 6 months.

When I summer-prep the boat, I run some 'dry gas' and 'fuel system' cleaner through the fuel system before filling the tank. Of course, I don't think that I have ever 'filled' the tank - too much $$$ and weight to carry around.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

New England..... I "try" to leave one full and "stabiled" and one empty (that is what I have right now). Come Springtime I will split the fuel and freshen it up with new gas between the tanks. Has always worked in the past.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

Whatever's in the tank when it's hauled. Almost full, almost empty or somewhere in between. I treat it with Marine Sta-bil before I run it around to the marina, so stabilized fuel runs completely through the system. This year it has about 1/2 tank (50 gallons) in it.

End of (my) story.

 

[bick]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

* Top it off - keep it full - don't want large airspace in the tank.
* If ethanol - keep it dry, dry, dry (that's a quote).
* E-10 "ages" the same as non-ethanol gas.
* "Additives" serve no purpose.
* Water separating filters are a waste of money - but a good (fine) filter IS necessary, because ethanol cleans out the gunk.
In other words, if you maintain the system right there won't be any water anyway.
* Problems with E-10 are largely a myth. "Myth" meaning that if you follow the recommendations you will not have a problem.
If you do have a problem you didn't read the directions.....LOL.
* E-15 will be a disaster.

So they say E-10 problems are a myth AND E-15 will be a disaster? Just a 5% difference is that huge??? I don't think so... makes no sense to me.

 

[Part-time]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

I think it depends alot on the climate were you store your boat.
Here in the north the mercury has been known to drop down to -40 then 2 or 3 weeks later it will be raining and then way down in the sub zero's again.
You get a nice thick, heavy build up of frost in the tank if it's empty.
As for additives, I have never had gas go stale in a boat over the winter but in my snowmobiles and snoblower I have seen gas go so stale that it wouldn't even burn with a match held to it within 4 or 5 months...

 

[dingbat]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

Whatever's in the tank when it's hauled. Almost full, almost empty or somewhere in between. I treat it with Marine Sta-bil before I run it around to the marina, so stabilized fuel runs completely through the system. This year it has about 1/2 tank (50 gallons) in it.

End of (my) story.

+1 I'll run the second tank down to empty, but the main tank is stored with whatever is left in it. 40-45 gallons last year

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

M-T

Not only for boats...but my snowmobiles, ATV's, Riding lawnmowers, snowblowers...but then again I store all my stuff indoors.

But hey...whatever works for you...as stated probably no 100% "right" answer. Too many variables.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

The answer to the OP's questions, is a resounding YES

 

[JimS123]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

This epitomizes how polarizing the OP's question is:

>>>Mercury Marine says empty.

>>>Mercruiser says 9/10 full with stabilizer.

Now ain't that some $hi-?

AIN'T BOATING FUN?!

Who told you that?

I just reviewed the 2 files on the Mercury Marine website re. winter storage procedures. They had separate FAQs for Mercury Outboards and Mercruiser sterndrives. The wording was exactly the same.

Its only polarizing because some people continue to ignore recommendations and have no problems anyway. Maybe the moral of the story is that the manufacturers try to be conservative in order to cover all possible storage conditions.

 

[Philster]

Re: Winter Layup Survey . . . Gas Tank 'Empty' or 'Full'

Chill out.

I own a Mercruiser and they recommend 9/10's full. It's in bulletins for Mercruisers techs. Fill to 9/10's to leave expansion room and add fuel stabiliaer.

I am currently buying a Mercury Racing Optimax 300xs and -- bingo -- I read the winterization procedures and it says to drain all fuel from the tank.

I've posted these finding within the last 45 days in one of these godforsaken fuel threads. I will see if I can repost.