Empty or Full???

[grandx]

Jack frost will be nipping at our nose soon, not so much here in South TX, but boating will slow down. I've seen some posts recently about full gas tanks and draining, both pro and con. Here's my situation... I have 165 gallon capacity and generally keep her full with pre mix and Stabil. I can't just drain it and I don't wack enough weeds in 50 years to burn it that way. Should I leave it or can I burn premix in my truck without disasterous consequences?

 

[scarchest]

Re: Empty or Full???

Grandx, Don't know what kind of truck that you have, but I have an 88 Jeep Cherokee with the inline 6 with 177000 mile, it has not hurt it yet.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Empty or Full???

We aren't worried about the tank being full of empty -- the fuel loses octane and next spring there is a very good chance of it harming the engine. Thats what we worry about!<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[JRJ]

Re: Empty or Full???

The theory of filling diesel fuel tanks at the end of the day is to cut down on moisture buildup. With gasoline, I don't know how long it takes for octane to go bad, away or whatever happens to it, but wouldn't a large empty gas tank make moisture depending on temperture changes etc.?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Empty or Full???

Yep, and a good quality water seperator will take care of that. Todays fuel is good for about 45 to 60 days. The question is -- how old is it when you buy it? 1 week? Two?<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[kev_79]

Re: Empty or Full???

On everything I have owned and winterized, always ran them out for winter. Of course most things were lawnmowers, weed eaters, etc. On my boat, I do the same, but put sea foam for what is remaining. The start of the season brings fresh fuel, and a bottle of isoprophyl, and more sea foam. Have yet to have a prob. A little premix wouldn't be a bad upper cylinder lube for the truck either.

 

[Boatman30]

Re: Empty or Full???

My advice, for what is worth??<br />Leave the fuel in the tank, it will be fine and WONT harm the engine. Your tank, I am sure, is not exposed to direct sunlight, and you have a vast quantity in the tank. Exposure to sunlight is the main killer to fuel now days. You might run a bit of Stabil in your tank before you put it away in storage. I will warn you for next spring, STABIL seems to rob power some, so if you notice a small lack of responce next spring, run the tank out and refill.<br />You should have no problems with this method. I store 6 gallon fuel containers this way all winter (4-5 months). I keep them in the shop, out of sunlight.<br />Good luck,<br />Boat