What to do with fuel?

[MFG197]

I filled my tank with mid grade, alcahol free fuel and stabilizer late last september before boat was put in storage. My intention was to use the boat as always by june. Well, we got pregnant in november and I figured I had at least 2 months to boat before the baby came in August. He was born in may. After a lengthy hospital stay he is home and doing well...but I digress. anyway I won't be using the boat until next spring. Will the fuel be ok or should I look into transferring it out of the boat? 1996 Merc 5.7LX, Carbed,new fuel/water seperator can.

 

[Skipster1]

Re: What to do with fuel?

Since you didn't mention the type of boat, age of boat, nor area of the country you're living in..... I'd say you're asking an impossible question.<br />If the tank is properly sealed and has no foreign material in it (meaning it is a fairly new boat that hasn't lost its "seal integrity" and hasn't succumbed to corrosion or accumulation of junk) and it was name brand gas ... you should be fine.<br />Gasoline appears to be a pretty stable chemical if sealed properly and not dealing with additives, thus one year's worth of storage should not alter it's combustibility.<br />The important thing is you made the right choice in putting your family first.<br />If it's going to bug you however, then take the fuel out of the tank. <br />Next spring, when you try to fire up the engine you'll know where you are at.

 

[Bondo]

Re: What to do with fuel?

The rate that Gas goes Sour is relative to the Volume Stored.........<br />A Teaspoon will go Bad in a couple of Months or Less.........<br />20 Gallons should keep for the time You're looking at.........<br />Especially seeing that you Stabilized it......

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: What to do with fuel?

Top it off if there's any room left and stabil it again. If you can, plug off the fuel supply and run the motor til the carb runs dry. That should help keep that from varnishing up.

 

[MFG197]

Re: What to do with fuel?

Cleveland OH. USA 1996 Sea Ray cuddy, aluminum tank, should be clean... thanks for the advice. will stabil again and top off from a can. is it a good idea to tape the vent off? boat indoors not heated

 

[BinLurkin]

Re: What to do with fuel?

I've never worried about it. I let a boat sit for 4 & 5 years once & it fired right up. No stabil, just gas, the way it was. I also have a chain saw that see's little use & gets fired up once every 3 or 4 years. It always starts right up & runs fine, it's an echo brand. I don't even drain out the gas & run it dry. Just shut it off, fill it with gas & put it away. It starts just fine as eveything I have does even if it sits for a year or two or more. I think all you need to do whether it's a 2 or 4 stroke is keep the tank full all the time, especially when you store it. You see they are going to be just fine anyway & start right up, but we buy the stabil & think that was why it started up. It would have started right up just fine without the Snakeoil anyway. We are just harpooning ourselves with this Stabil snake oil. To much Paul Harvey here.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: What to do with fuel?

Sorry I have to disagree with the comment above regarding Stabil. Two stroke engines with oil in the gas do gum up pretty bad over winter. Some of the newer oils are better at preventing gumming up, but still do over the long haul especially if it's left in the carb. Not all engines are as sensitive about gumming up...some more, some less.<br /><br />I too have a chain saw that always fires up even with old gas/oil in the tank...but I also have a two stroke generator which gums up darn fast and requires a carb cleaning if I don't add Stabil to the tank.<br /><br />You can also use plain naphta (coleman fuel) to the tank. It'll keep thinks from getting gummed up.