fuel oil mixing in an inboard tank

[further]

I'm relatively new to boating (got a 1988 Maxum 1700MA w/ 85hp force) this summer and it's my first time winterizing. Just wanted to know how you all mix your gas and oil when you fill up an inboard tank - My tank is a 21 gallon and I just fillled it all the way up for the winter, then added the 50:1 ratio of oil and some sta-bil. My concern is that I'm not mixing the oil with the gas correctly as it all (the oil and sta-bil) seems to be sitting at the top. Should I tow it around town to shake it up a bit?

Also, i filled up the other day when it was a bit cold out (around 45 degrees) and today it was close to 70 when I got home from work i noticed fuel dripping out of the small vent - assuming the warm temps caused some expansion which caused it to overflow through the vent? Sorry if this all sounds a bit stupid, just trying to figure all this out and certainly don't want to run the motor if I don't have the oil/gas mixed correctly.
Thanks

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: fuel oil mixing in an inboard tank

I fill mine from a gas can, but as long as you know the amount of gas you add and add the correct amount of oil for it you are fine.
As to the mixing, if it makes you feel better then drag it around the block. It cant hurt.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: fuel oil mixing in an inboard tank

Put the oil and stabilizer in the tank first and then fill the tank. The force of the gas pump nozzle will help mix it up. Towing the boat to and from the gas station should thoroughly mix it up.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: fuel oil mixing in an inboard tank

Your vent leak is exactly what you said. Expansion, happens to mine all the time, especially when I raise the front so the rain can drain.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: fuel oil mixing in an inboard tank

Yep, additives first, then pump fuel. If you get it slam full, it has a tendancy to over flow out the vent during expansion...

 

[ondarvr]

Re: fuel oil mixing in an inboard tank

It makes no difference which is added to the tank first unless you plan to run it before its moved anywhere, by the time you get a block down the road its mixed well either way. Drive it around the block once and then start it up (on muffs) and run it until you know the sta-bil has made it through the carbs.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: fuel oil mixing in an inboard tank

i guestimate the amount of fuel needed to fill up. i add my additives for that much fuel. then add fuel. to that amount.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: fuel oil mixing in an inboard tank

When I had to do that I used the "6-1" method. It shouldn't take you long to figure out how much fuel the tank will take depending on fuel gauge reading at fill up time. So I would add one pint of oil and pump in 6 gallons. Add another pint and pump six gallons. If I knew for sure it would take at least 12 gallons, dump in a quart and pump the twelve gallons. As you get close to full, you could do 1/2 pint to 3 gallons. The net result of this, while it may provide a headache for some, it results in very close mix ratios all the time. What one needs to be careful of is using a process that over time can result in fuel mixes that are way heavy on oil or way light on oil. If you are one to add fuel and then add the appropriate amount of oil, by all means do so. Don't worry about mixing. Current oils will be thoroughly mixed by the time you get from the station to your home or lake. If you are adding fuel at home, most trailers can be rocked by simply pushing sideways at the stern of the boat to mix the fuel/oil.

 

[further]

Re: fuel oil mixing in an inboard tank

Thanks so much to all for your insight.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: fuel oil mixing in an inboard tank

Ball park amount of oil in tank, pump gas, add additional oil if needed after pumping gas, go boating.

 

[JB]

Re: fuel oil mixing in an inboard tank

I don't know how they do it, but I keep seeing posts about picking up boats of all sizes. Seems a good idea to me to pick it up and shake it well. . . if you can get someone to explain how to pick it up.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: fuel oil mixing in an inboard tank

Some strong folk picking the boats up eh !!!!

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: fuel oil mixing in an inboard tank

Yeah I agree, dump the oil and additive in before getting the gas. You don't have to fill up to complete full all the time. If you want to go get 15 gallons, or 17 gallons, dump enough oil in before you go, and then put that amount of gas in. I'd reccomend double treating the gas with Stabil or whatever you use, for winter storage, and run the treated gas through the engine for 10 or 15 minutes to get it in the carbs, as was mentioned.

Go to any marine store and just buy the graduated oil filler bottle, that way you don't have to figure it out by pint or quart per gallons of fuel. You put 7 gallons of gas in, fill the oil up to the 7 gallon mark on the bottle, you put in 22 gallons, fill up to the 22 gallon mark, actually you'd fill it up to the 10 gallon mark twice and then the 2 gallon mark once.

I fill in the water at my house, I use a portable 14 gallon fill tank. I fill it with 13.5 gallons of gas every time I use it. Before I go to get gas in it, I use the oil container to put enough oil in for 13.5 gallons and then fill it with 13.5 gallons of gas. Easy as can be.