winterize 3 gal gas tank drain or stabil?

[jjnj]

My head already hurts from the varying opinions of how to do it. Its a small tank...some say empty and leave open all winter...not to use stabilizer because ethanol fuek still seperates...
some say fill and any water will stay on bottom of tank...yippee I could possbily run low next summmer and have to row ...
I have nowhere to DUMP the fuel, so I need to go to my hazardous waste area with any unused fuel..so I need help quick.
Thanks all
JJ

 

[steelespike]

Re: winterize 3 gal gas tank drain or stabil?

In my opinion a no brainer add stabil top it up in the fall or spring if necessary and use it. You could run it in your lawn mower,snow blower etc top up the car.The actual amount of oil in the car will be like nothing.If the mix is right chainsaw or weed whacker.I'm about to add my one year old chain saw mix to my lawn tractor for the final cut.It will smoke a little but won't bother any.
If you suspect there may be water empty it what ever way works and let it air out.

 

[109jb]

Re: winterize 3 gal gas tank drain or stabil?

Just put stabil in it, or like Steelspike said run it in something else. I ran some 50:1 in my 4 stroke snowblower before because I didn't have any unmixed and had to get the drive cleared before I could get out to get some. Ran fine, but smoked a little. You could run it through your car in small amounts and it won't hurt anything. Just dilute it enough with clean gas and it won't have any noticable smoke either.

 

[jjnj]

Re: winterize 3 gal gas tank drain or stabil?

thank you both...I have no other tool to add it to....also hv 4 cyl car..would hate to cause any problem with it...my local boat repair almost had a coronary when I mentioned that I was going to add stabil...says too many problems due to ethanol guess I will do the empty it route...

OTHER ?......can I leave the empty tank outside all winter..I dont want the smell in the basement or garage???

 

[Salmonseeker]

Re: winterize 3 gal gas tank drain or stabil?

When I had a small portable fuel tank I would always add stabil to the fuel the last couple trips to make sure the fuel in the carbs was treated. I would then empty the left over fuel into my vehicle, never had a problem. The amount was usually very little compared to what a car would hold anyway. Or if you don't want to go that route just take it to the hazardous waste depot. I know the ones near me don't charge for dropping off hazardous waste.

OTHER?

Yes, we always left the tank outside with the cap on for the winter, we stored the boat upside down and just put the tank under it on a couple pieces of wood.

I miss those days, when I could just flip the boat over and not worry about it, now with my larger boat I have to find a place to store it every winter.

 

[steelespike]

Re: winterize 3 gal gas tank drain or stabil?

If stored out side cover it so water doesn't stand on it.If there is the slightest hole as the tank heats and cools it will suck in the water.
Neighbor left his lawn mower out un protected tank was full of water in the spring.

 

[jjnj]

Re: winterize 3 gal gas tank drain or stabil?

Thank you for some great info I think I will do the under the boat trick...The hazardous waste is only 1 or 2 times a yr...so I think I can empty it and get it there later this month...I have a very old tank that I will pour it in... next year I will hv to get something else I dont think they will accept only the gas..but worth looking into
Thank you again

JJ

 

[Silvertip]

Re: winterize 3 gal gas tank drain or stabil?

Your local mechanic needs to spend some time up here in the midwest. We've been using ethanol blended fuel (E10) since 1997. Put stabil in it, cap it, and you are good to go next spring. For heavens sake read the back of the label. While I don't agree it will keep fuel fresh for a year like it says, it will keep it fresh until spring with no issues. I winterized my boat today, added stabil, ran the engine to suck up the mixture and put it to bed like I have for God only knows how many years. The engine will fire up and run just fine come spring. Mechanics that have not been exposed to E10 are simply uninformed or misinformed and are way too quick to blame engine troubles on E10. In most cases it is not the cause.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: winterize 3 gal gas tank drain or stabil?

My routine for years and years has been to add stabil to the tank (in the proper proportions) then fill as full as possible. Run the motor for a few minutes to draw the treated fuel into the carbs, then fog the motor till it stalls. Seal the cap tight on the tank and store off the ground on a couple pieces of 2x4.

I always leave the carbs full during storage.

Any air space in the sealed fuel tank can result in condensation forming during temperature changes over the winter.

Have never had a problem in any of the motorized toys and tools I run.

 

[Beefer]

Re: winterize 3 gal gas tank drain or stabil?

We are talking about a 3 gal tank, right? Is it really worth worrying about $12 in fuel? Just my $.02

 

[Salmonseeker]

Re: winterize 3 gal gas tank drain or stabil?

We are talking about a 3 gal tank, right? Is it really worth worrying about $12 in fuel? Just my $.02

I don't think he is worried about the cost of the fuel, but rather the damage that might occur to the motor in the spring if the fuel is not stored properly.

 

[Beefer]

Re: winterize 3 gal gas tank drain or stabil?

Forgive my ignorance, I live in the winterless state of Florida (pronounced Flori-DUH), so I haven't had to winterize anything. Would there be harm in removing all the fuel from the motor then?

 

[mthieme]

Re: winterize 3 gal gas tank drain or stabil?

Welcome aboard jj.
Bring it on over, I have several gasoline disposal units still in the water.
Anything for a fellow iboater.
3 Gallons is a morning's worth of crabbing - which is where I'm going right after my morning coffee!

 

[jjnj]

Re: winterize 3 gal gas tank drain or stabil?

I apprciate all your comments . Maybe I will bring it to you for crabbing ???
Anyway, this year, I will store it empty, under the boat! Next year, I will try the stabil...
The basic problem, is the disposition of the gas...I do have an old tank which I will use to empty the new stuff...but nxt yr, I will either have to find a suitable container or fill it and use stabil...which is what I will do!.

thanks all
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