Starting an engine that's been sitting...

[GMTK]

2004 Volvo 4.3 GXI-E. Boat is stored in West Texas in an enclosed storage shed. Only got to take the boat out twice last year due to the lake being closed for covid and then work getting crazy. I run mid-level octane (I know I don't have to, but it makes me feel warm and fuzzy) and marine sta-bil. Boat has 3/4 tank (25ish gallons) that has been sitting in it. I'm thinking about running down and taking it out of the day to run it (3 hr drive to the boat one way).

Was debating taking 5 gallons of non-ethanol and a can of seafoam and dumping both in before I run it.

Engine oil and lower unit oil changed in May of last year.

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[alldodge]

Your in the non-repair OB section
Take a new fuel filter with ya and pour contents of the old filter into clear container. If its clear and not yellow, refill new filter and give it a run.

There is no need IMO to put E0 gas into a tank with E10, and then add seafoam (more crud). If you want to have something try to soak up more moisture you need more E10 because E0 will not absorb any water

 

[GMTK]

T4 on the fuel filter and fuel advice. Will do that.

 

[BRICH1260]

I`d try to run it with the gas in the tank. Try to start it at home and see if it will run before going to the lake. If it will not run right, you may have to pump the bad gas out and refill with good gas. You may get lucky and not need anything.

 

[GMTK]

Thank you sir. Unfortunately the boat is stored 3 hrs from me, so I don't have the option to start in my driveway (which I would prefer). I'm going to start it at the ramp and let it run for 20 minutes before venturing out. Also have the local Rangers on speed dial should I have issues. Going to keep a new fuel filter with me.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi. If your fuel in the tank is contaminated with water influence...you can add all the fuel you like on top...your still likely going to get issues somewhere along the line. Not great on an mpi engine to add more issues.
if it’s ok, then be fine. I’d take a separate tank of fresh fuel you can plumb into the fuel filter or somewhere after the tank, just in case you need to.
if she hasn’t been ran for a while...you might think about tripping the safety lanyard kill switch and turning her over for a few bursts without ignition and her firing...just to get some oil pressure around about the engine. I do this each spring with my mpi. Wee bit of mechanical sympathy doesn’t hurt !

 

[GMTK]

UPDATE - drove down to the boat yesterday and it appears I was smart last summer and only left less than 1/8 gas in the tank. Put some fresh gas in and she started up. She ran horrible later on and I will start a new thread addressing that - but it was not a gas issue.