Fresh Fuel

[BKool68]

Everyone seems to stress fresh fuel here (under 30 days). Well what do you recomend to keep it fresh with a large (40 gal) inboard tank. I run the boat aboat once a week now till the weather gets too cold. Should I run the tank low or keep her full with a stabilizer?

 

[12Footer]

Re: Fresh Fuel

LOL I really like your sig line. A good one.<br />You should do both.Run the fuel tank as low as you can. Estimate how much fuel you have left,and add the prescribed amount of "Sta-Bil" stabalizer to the tank. When it comes time to get the engine ready for next season,just top-off the tank with fresh fuel.<br />Stale fuel really does nasty things to engines,but especially 2-stroke engines. I do not know why, but it seems the gas converts to varnish (real varnish) faster when it is mixed with 2-cycle oil.<br />That "under 30days" is a rule-of-thumb, and relative to the exposure to heat and humididty the fuel is under. Fuel stored in a cool,dry place tends to last MUCH longer.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Fresh Fuel

Fuel goes bad in a couple of ways. One is the problem of it turning to varnish. Products like Sta-Bil and 2+4 prevent that from happening. The other problem we are concerned about is the fuel losing octane. Todays fuel loses the oxygenates rather quickly and that reduces the octane. Therefore we recommend storing the boat with the tank as near empty as possible and starting with fresh fuel after storage. Running a stabilizer before storage keeps the carbs clean. <br /><br />Each year as boats come out of storage (or periods of non-use) we see a rash of scuffed pistons in motors that ran perfectly before the non use period. Most of these boats were stored for more than a couple of months and were ran on the "old" fuel. <br /><br />Good luck!

 

[BKool68]

Re: Fresh Fuel

I am also worried about condensation forming in the tank with it being empty. Or should I not worry there. Also, when the weather is not too cold I will try to get out for some late fall striper fishing. Will the fuel with stabilizer be ok to run?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Fresh Fuel

A good water seperator will take care of any condensation. Yes, you can use old fuel if you dont care about the pistons.<br /><br />Good luck!!