Winter storage, how much gas in tank?

[oldjeep]

Re: Winter storage, how much gas in tank?

Whatever is in there when I park it, and I don't add Stabil or any other magic sauce to the gas.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Winter storage, how much gas in tank?

From what I have learned it can depend on the type of gas you are using and your location. The non ethanol gas when sitting exposed to the air is good for several years while E 10 is good for several years as long as it is not exposed to the air. E 10 is suposto start to phase separate after 90 days or so if it is exposed to the air like boat tanks are. Personalty I have done it about ever way, I used to add a bit of sea foam just because I never know when I would be starting my boating season off, but before that I didn't use any thing. Now days with 4.50 gas prices I drain it and run it in my truck. And I have used both types of fuel. I have never had problems one way or the other. I think its more about how long it has sat 1 year is fine but after 2 or 3 years you may run into problems.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Winter storage, how much gas in tank?

If you're only "storing" it for 6 months(seasonal) or so, it's not in an unusually moist enviroment(a rainforest)...it DOES NOT MATTER.

Everyone has their preference but there is no right or wrong way. My preference when putting equipment in seasonal storage is empty, however I've on occasion stored snomobiles, tractors etc...with half/full tanks with no problems.

Unless you're truly storing(over 12 months) the whole empty/full debate is folly.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Winter storage, how much gas in tank?

So, Paul, having read all the opinions - have you decided what you are going to do?

 

[pbolden]

Re: Winter storage, how much gas in tank?

Thanks for all the responses! This seems to be an open issue. I think that most of the advice here can be rolled into pgds' statement "If gas prices are down, fill it, if they're up leave it empty." I'm putting the boat in storage this Monday. Gas prices are high, so she'll go in near empty with an appropriate amount of stabil.

Thanks again everyone.
Paul Bolden

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Winter storage, how much gas in tank?

Welcome to the full/empty/stabilizer/snake oil club no dues and often amusing

 

[gdeangel]

Re: Winter storage, how much gas in tank?

I just picked up my boat from winterization at the marina. This year I did not fill the tank 40 gallon tank before bringing it in. Instead, it had about 32 gallons. They added enough stabilizer for 32 gallons, not 40. I always store the boat with a full tank, so I asked them to give me an extra [6 oz. I think] of stabilizer since I'd be going to fill up the tank next.

They told me that their recommendation is to always store the boat with a 3/4 tank.

I understand the "store empty" argument. I understand the "store full" perspective - I follow this one because I've seen mower tanks stored full for 10+ years even without any stabilizer, and although you get lots of gunk, once you clean the tank there is almost no rust, except if there was some other metal in the tank like the pickup tube, or an in-tank pump.) Anyway, the 3/4 recommendation doesn't make any sense to me - the gas will have more exposure to air, there is room for tank condensation, and you have the risk of some fuel deterioration.

So what do the experts make of this 3/4 advice -- is there any legitimate reason why you would only store at 3/4 rather than full, other than to get me stuck a repair bill in the spring?

 

[cyclops2]

Anything you want

Anything you want

There is no way a fuel tank can draw in & push out enough cubic feet of moist (drier) ,winter air & condense it inside the tank.

If you have water in the tank, fuel lines, water seperator, filter or carburator.................. Stop buying your gas from that place. THEY have the water in their tank. Each tanker stirs up all the water on the bottom & keeps right on mixing it with the gas as it is dropped into the tank.

Change gas stations./ fueling docks.

I toss in Seafoam with each load of gas.
I never fill or empty tanks........................I DO shut off the fueling valve. Then run the engine till it stops. That DOES prevent the constant evaporation of fuel in gravity feed carburators. Constant carb evaporation builds up a Varnish ring in Idle & main feed tubes of the carburator.
Cure next spring is a Carb apart & the jets in Carb cleaner. Buy & install a simple cheap barbed fuel shutoff valve..........

You can also get water in your tank if your filler cap does not seal correctly............RARE...........

 

[dan t.]

Re: Anything you want

Re: Anything you want

I agree with Oldjeep, whatever is in at the end of the season, and no snake oil additives, been dooing it that way for 20 years with no problems

 

[DonHof]

Re: Winter storage, how much gas in tank?

Mother-in -law had a 90 Dodge, with 22,000 miles on it. Been setting for 10 years. Sold it and it started right up.
Guy drove it home.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Winter storage, how much gas in tank?

That is how all my lawn & generators work also.

 

[chconger]

Re: Winter storage, how much gas in tank?

......... I think that most of the advice here can be rolled into pgds' statement "If gas prices are down, fill it, if they're up leave it empty." I'm putting the boat in storage this Monday. Gas prices are high, so she'll go in near empty with an appropriate amount of stabil.

But what if fuel prices rise over the winter? You could be making a big mistake there. Better fill it up

 

[cyclops2]

Only thing going up ?

Only thing going up ?

Is more high paying layoffs for the holidays.