To drain or not drain fuel tank.

[scbackpacker]

I have about 1/2 tank of fuel in my tank that is a mixture of real gasoline and ethanol fuel. I treated the tank with star tron before I pumped in the ethanol and had all intentions of running all the fuel out and fill up with real gas and stabilize before I winterized but that was not to be. I need to pull the fuel level indicator to see why it doesn't go below 1/2 tank. Should I drain the fuel to my truck and refill with regular fuel and stabilize or treat the fuel I have in there now with star tron and fill up with regular fuel?

 

[lprizman]

Re: To drain or not drain fuel tank.

I filled my truck and snow blower with mine,,left it empty,,but added some startron to the puddle on the bottom of the tank.
In the spring I will add startron and fresh fuel,,then filters after a short run.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: To drain or not drain fuel tank.

A full tank with treated fuel is better than an empty tank.
Less chance of condensation.

If it were me i would fill it up with regular and the good old Stabil treatment.
It has never failed me and i have had ethanol blended fuel in the tank over the winter.

 

[JoLin]

Re: To drain or not drain fuel tank.

Age-old debate. Empty, fill it; or just treat whatever's already in the tank and forget about it.

I chose the latter. I have 15-20 gallons left in the tank. I treated it with Sta-bil and a dose of Seafoam and ran that through during oil change and winterization. Many do the same. For the record, however, EVERY gallon of gas I put in the tank is treated with Sta-bil. Religiously.

As for condensation, and with all due respect to Gary, I read the David Pascoe article on that a couple of seasons ago and don't believe it's an issue.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/myth_of_condensation_in_fuel_tanks.htm

My $.02

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: To drain or not drain fuel tank.

Good article JoLin,

I have left mine half full a couple winters and no problems either.
As long as it is treated i believe it is good to go.

This winter mine is full just because who knows what gas prices will be in the spring..
My 90 gallon tank gets expensive...

 

[JoLin]

Re: To drain or not drain fuel tank.

Good article JoLin,

This winter mine is full just because who knows what gas prices will be in the spring..
My 90 gallon tank gets expensive...

Now, THAT I can relate to. I have a 90-gal tank, too. I generally keep it between 1/4 and 3/4- refill when it gets near a quarter tank. Alleviates the sticker shock a little, and keeps the weight reasonable.

At some point next summer, a few of us Captree Power Squadron members are planning a weekend convoy that'll entail 5+ hours constant cruising each way. It'll be the first major "voyage" for us and our friends "CaptNCamille". We're getting excited about that. A couple of the old salts will be leading the way.

I'll need to fill up for that one

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: To drain or not drain fuel tank.

At least half full and treated through the system with stabil. Meaning treat it and run so the stabilized gas is run through the entire fuel system.
My 2 cents.

 

[backwater dawg]

Re: To drain or not drain fuel tank.

As the original owner of a 1988 Regal 280 with twin Merc 260's---I have dual tanks-one is 80 gal and the other tank is 60 gal---140 total---since new I have ran 1 tank dry and having Stabized the other tank--ran it down to almost empty and NEVER have had any fuel water troubles---also---WHY would anyone want to purchase, and then spend more $$ on chem treatments, and then store all that over the winter worrying about the quality of your fuel---Good luck--Steve

 

[scbackpacker]

Re: To drain or not drain fuel tank.

As I was winterizing the engine I unhooked the fuel line and ran it out of fuel while I was fogging the engine. The fuel is already treated with Star Tron from when I filled it up last time. I used a good bit more treatment than the instructions said so the fuel should be ok if Star Tron does what it says.

 

[dingbat]

Re: To drain or not drain fuel tank.

Good article JoLin,

I have left mine half full a couple winters and no problems either.
As long as it is treated i believe it is good to go.

This winter mine is full just because who knows what gas prices will be in the spring..
My 90 gallon tank gets expensive...

Not as worried about the price as getting my fuel purchases past the wife.

Don't like leaving the dock with less than a 3/4 of a tank. Usally top off before heading out the next morning. She has used to seeing the $75 a day fuel bills. What sets her off is the $350-400 bill when I get lazy and don't top off between trips. Certainly don't want to start off the season with a $400 fuel bill for her to complain about.