Fill gas tank or drain for winter

[87Stratos]

Question guys....<br />I've always believed it's best to keep very little gas in the gas tank when winterizing alone with stabo. But lately I'm torn. Some people swear you should keep little gas in tank so next year there will be less to mix with the new gas and some swear if you don't fill the tank before winter you may get condensation in the tank. I would like to hear some more opinions. P.S. I'm running a 150hp Mercury blackmax.

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: Fill gas tank or drain for winter

Fill...take a look on 'search' above...there has been a lot written on the subject.

 

[ob]

Re: Fill gas tank or drain for winter

Fill tank and add some stabil fuel stabilizer.Also it's a good idea to drain carburetors.

 

[AndyL]

Re: Fill gas tank or drain for winter

This has always been an intriguing problem. I was reliably informed that unleaded fuels have a relatively short life compared to the older leaded types. This is highlighted by problems of winterising small engines like lawnmowers and chain saws with stale fuel. Personally I drain most of the fuel at the end of the year then fully drain before filling with new at the start of the season. Admittedly there is also the problem of condensation but unless you leave the tank completely full you will get some formation. I am still undecided but have never yet had a fuel related problem. <br />Andy

 

[smcg71]

Re: Fill gas tank or drain for winter

Hey Guys, my personal opinion is either fill the tank completely and add stabilizer or drain it completely. However, when I drain the tank I make sure in the spring time I take the cap off the tank and let it air out for a couple hours to dry any moisture out before refilling.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fill gas tank or drain for winter

I've got an 82 gallon tank an all I do is fill the tank prior to my last outing and add stabilizers. When I get home I close of the fuel feed valve and tape up the fuel vents and I’m done. The first time back out the tanks gets topped off and I’m back in operation<br /><br />When you come right down to it, the condensation issue is way over blown in most cases. It can be a problem in large fuel tanks, but the average boater’s fuel tanks don’t have the volume for it to be an issue. It’s also a greater problem in areas that maintain high dew points and extreme temperature variations during the lay over such as those experienced in Florida and the Gulf States, In the northern and western tier of states it would hardly be an issue You’ll probably introduce more moisture into the tank on your next fill up than would condensate in a typical fuel tank over the winter

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: Fill gas tank or drain for winter

After you put the stabilizer in the gas tank be sure to run the motor for 10 minutes or so to get the stabilized gas into the injectors or carbs. Draining a 195 gallon gas tank is not an option. I personally like everything full (oil/gas tanks) to minimize condensation. Never had a problem with gas ging bad.