Ethanol Fuel storage?

[Shaun78]

Store for the winter with a full tank or nearly empty?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Ethanol Fuel storage?

I think I'd go as empty as possible......
I'd like to see what others think on this.....​

 

[skeat]

Re: Ethanol Fuel storage?

I store my tank empty and even remove it off the boat. For one, that's the only way I can get all the gas out and two, it lets me clean and inspect an area that doesn't get much attention. I just haven't heard any good about storing gas with ethanol in it. Even the stabilizers don't do anything about the "separation" issue and non of the other miracle chemical treatments have been proven to work.

 

[Don S]

Re: Ethanol Fuel storage?

Moving to Boat Topics and Questions (not engine topics)

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Ethanol Fuel storage?

We in the midwest have been using ethanol blended fuel since 1997. It makes no difference whether the tank is full, half full, or nearly empty. Treat the fuel with any of the traditional fuel stabilizers and put the boat to bed. Our lay up period is basically from November to April. We don't have fuel issues unless the fuel is left untreated -- and that was an issue even before ethanol. If it bothers you, drain it and burn it in the family truckster.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Ethanol Fuel storage?

I really dont know about ethanol... But in regular gasoline tanks it is advisable to storage the boat with the tank full to avoid condensation. I dont know how ethanol will be different.

 

[skeat]

Re: Ethanol Fuel storage?

The ethanol in gas absorbs moisture from the atmosphere which will separate out at the bottom of the tank, especially after it has been sitting for awhile. (after 90 days gas treated with ethanol starts going bad). You end up with 3 separate layers of liquid. Water on the bottom, a gelled substance in the middle and the reduced octane gas on top (ethanol provides the octane). There has been a lot written about this (don't take my word for it ) do a google search to find out more before getting out on the water in the spring and running into trouble.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Ethanol Fuel storage?

I store mine 1/2 full of stabilized fuel with Heet added. Then I fill it up before I try to start it in the spring, thinking that this will stir things up in the tank. I try not to use any more ethanol than I have to, but gas without it is getting pretty hard to find around here.
Oh well...at least the farmers are driving nice new pickups.

 

[gss036]

Re: Ethanol Fuel storage?

Thank goodness, we have an option here in the Northwest, AM/PM(ARCO) use to sell it but people stopped using thier product, so now I think their gas does not have alcohol ( I don't buy their cheap gas). If it does, the pump has to be posted.
I have a 115 gal gas tank on my boat and I use to have a problem w/excess water build up. A long time friend/marine mechanic for over 30 years told me that sine my boat is stored on a trailer in the pole barn that I should just remove the fuel cap and stuff a large paper towel in the hole. He says the moisture will bleed of. I know my tank is vented, but since following his advice, I don't have large amounts of water in my fuel fiter when I change.
I usually start out the winter w/25-30 gal of gas in the tank and during the course of mowing etc., by Januray when fishing opens back up, I am usually out of gas. (Then I put in qt of Miracle Oil and put 100 gal in the tank, big OUCH at $2.75 gal)) I have a male adapter hose which I just plug into a female plug on a piece of hose and use the primer bulb to get it to siphon. It takes about 20 minutes to get 5 gal can full, so while I am doing things in the shop I let it run.
Just my nickle's worth of thoughts.