How full does gas tank need to be for Winter storage?

[viper1216]

I filled my tank up yesterday and then took it out on the lake a little to blast some fresh water through it before the season ended. Looked at the tank this morning, and it is pretty much full. The fuel is touching the top of the tank near the ends, but there is still a little room in the middle. Do I need to go grab my portable tank and get a little more so its coming up the fill hose or is that close enough?

 

[oldjeep]

Anywhere between completely empty and completely full is fine.

 

[SeaDooSam]

You will hear many things. I wouldn't wouldn't worry about it. Almost full is most likely fine. Make sure you put some stabilizer in there.

 

[Starcraft5834]

as long as there is gas in there and it's treated your fine... amount matters little

 

[cwburkeva]

I top mine off, then put starbrite Star Tron Fuel Treatment for stablizer. Less air in tank is less surface area of inside for condensation.

 

[tpenfield]

Empty. . . . Maybe a few gallons in it. Full of fumes though . . .

 

[gm280]

Do remember, even a not so hot day the fuel will expand. And if you top off your tank where the fuel is actually filling the filler tube, you could be looking for expansion and over flow. I wouldn't fill your tank that full. JMHO

 

[Fed]

Empty so you start off next season with fresh fuel.

 

[Natesms]

Do remember, even a not so hot day the fuel will expand. And if you top off your tank where the fuel is actually filling the filler tube, you could be looking for expansion and over flow. I wouldn't fill your tank that full. JMHO

100% agreed. I paid the price for this 2 years ago, and will again this year unless I go siphon some out (didn't end up using the boat and I topped it off). Leave a little room.

 

[alldodge]

Anywhere between completely empty and completely full is fine.

I agree with this one, and no stabil or other snake oil needed

 

[Scott Danforth]

I prefer to run it empty, however anywhere between near full and empty is fine

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I used to fill the tank until I could see it in the filler tube. Then in the spring watch that 5 buck or more a gallon fuel spill out onto the hull and the ground as it expanded. Your tank is full Viper, add some stabilizer and you are good to go. Adding stabilizer is another argument waiting to happen just like storing full, some gas or MT storage. For how cheap stabilizer is I put it in.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

You will hear many things. I wouldn't wouldn't worry about it. Almost full is most likely fine. Make sure you put some stabilizer in there.

You were right Sam, ran the gamut on this one. I'm in the doesn't much matter camp. I always use a stabilizer, and enzyme treatment for ethanol. That in my opinion is more important than fuel level.

 

[bruceb58]

I agree with this one, and no stabil or other snake oil needed

I do the same.

 

[bruceb58]

and enzyme treatment for ethanol.

Now I have heard everything!

 

[H20Rat]

empty vs full is nearly a holy war! I'm in the empty camp, and only for one reason. I can absolutely guarantee gas that I haven't purchased yet has not gone bad while in my boat's gas tank! You can't make the same guarantee with a full tank.

 

[bruceb58]

I can absolutely guarantee gas that I haven't purchased yet has not gone bad while in my boat's gas tank! You can't make the same guarantee with a full tank.

I can guarantee that every tank of gas I have ever stored with in over 40 years has never gone bad.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Now I have heard everything!

Perhaps.....

http://www.boatingmag.com/gear/boatinglab-tests-fuel-stabilizers

 

[Fed]

I've got about half a tank (50 Litres) that's three years old, weighing up if I should dump it or top it up with fresh fuel.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Perhaps.....

http://www.boatingmag.com/gear/boati...el-stabilizers

I remember reading that some time back. Not too informative; they basically just parrot whatever claims the manufacturer makes.

I like the review of one product that claims to "improve lubricity." I didn't know gas needed lubricity!