Fuel System Winterization Questions

[ckirk]

I have a Mercrusier 3.0 L with Alpha One Gen II outdrive that I am preparing to winterize. I have two questions regarding the fuel system:
1. How do you ensure the craborator bowls are drained and fogg the engine at the same time? My thought is to remove the fuel supply at the fuel filter while the engine is running and allow the fuel pump to run dry until the engine stalls, while trying to time spraying fogging oil just as the engine runs out of fuel.

2. I have read conflicting information regarding how to store the fuel tank for the winter; I have gasoline with Ethanol in my area. Should I fill the fuel tank and add stabilizer to prevent condensation or drain the tank and add stabilizer to any remaining fuel to limit contact with the Ethanol.

Thanks for any comments.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Fuel System Winterization Questions

1. i personally don't bother draining my carb. i introduce sta-bil the last couple outings and leave the fuel line and carb. full.
2. i don't know the answer to that one other than i believe the new sta-bil that's out for marine use i believe is supposed to compensate for the ethanol fuel. i don't know this for a fact though. i use the red sta-bil and non ethanol fuel.

 

[ShadowB]

Re: Fuel System Winterization Questions

Had the shop do my 4.3L this year and they didn't drain the carb (didn't last year either). However, the tank is full to at least 95% with sta-bil and they ran the engine long enough to ensure it got ran through the carb. Our marinas don't have ethanol in their gas but I did have regular pump gas in my ski and I used Sta-bil for ethanol gas (last year). Ran the ski to make sure it got threw the fuel system and it fired right up this year. tank was 95% full as well. It fired right up this year so will so the same. Both motors were fogged and my Alpha I had the storage service done and engine had anti-freeze added -basic stuff.

But your going to get a bazillian opinions on this site on empty vs. full tanks etc. Drain this, fill that. I go with the procedure above and I haven't a problem. But I'll be corrected in a minute after posting this.

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Fuel System Winterization Questions

I've got about 60 gallons left in my tank. The fuel contains ethanol. I just added double the recommended amount of Stay-bil about two weeks before it was hauled and let wave motion stir it. In the spring I'll top off the tank with high-test, if I can, and should be ready to go. I ran the engine, spraying fogging oil into the intake.I removed and replaced the fuel separator filter. I also fogged each cylinder. Did the usual anti-freeze replacement, lubrication, and oil change and that's it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Fuel System Winterization Questions

1. How do you ensure the craborator bowls are drained and fogg the engine at the same time?

You can't drain the carb, about all you can do is run it till it runs out of gas. But I wouldn't recommend that. A carb setting dry is usually more problem than leaving the fuel in them. Just make sure you have stabilizer (of the proper amount) in the fuel and that the engine runs long enough to get the stabilized fuel into the carb.

2. I have read conflicting information regarding how to store the fuel tank for the winter; I have gasoline with Ethanol in my area. Should I fill the fuel tank and add stabilizer to prevent condensation or drain the tank and add stabilizer to any remaining fuel to limit contact with the Ethanol.

That's like asking what the best oil is. Opinions run both ways.
Have had little trouble with boats setting the winter months. Problems do occure after 2 or 3 years though.
I don't like empty tanks, especially in older boats with aluminum tanks. Have seen the corrosion go all the way through once the tank is allowed to see air.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Fuel System Winterization Questions

Problems do occure after 2 or 3 years though.

to elaborate on that and my expereince with my boat.

my boat sat for an alleged 15 years prior to me getting it. i've no idea if it had fuel in it or not. but it must not have been full.
first year i had the boat i fought with plugged up fuel filters. i almost removed the tank to clean it but didn't.
first year i went through three or so fuel filters. all were plugging up with fine dust. i assume rust as i think i've got a steel fuel tank. i continued to replace filters the second year. though not as many. this last year (4th year i've had the boat) i didn't have to replace the fuel filter at all. came out clean as a whistle at lay up time.
as i said, i store with a full tank. sta-bil added..

 

[ckirk]

Re: Fuel System Winterization Questions

Thanks for the replys.
I will fill the tanks, add the stabilizer and run the motor to allow the stabilized fuel to reach the carborator. That is what I did last year and had no issues this year, but I thought I would pose the question.