Winter Storage Gas (tank) question

[KnotConnected]

In a boneheaded move, I put the Larson away with only 10 gallons of gas in its 110 gallon tank. It's sitting in headed storage (they keep it at about 40* - 45* F) and I've added a can of sta-bil to the tank. Think i'll have issues in the spring?

 

[Grub54891]

Nope.

 

[steelespike]

In heated storage the tank shouldn't have any sweating problems because everything is at about the same temperature.
Fuel should remain stable.

 

[roffey]

I bet you will have a bunch say you stored it the right way. Come spring you fill it up with fresh gas and off you go.

 

[JoLin]

The boats I've owned sit outside for 6-7 months a year in temps that range from the 60's to single digits during that time. All my boats have had tanks that hold around 100 gals. I stabil-ize the fuel in the Fall and store the boat with whatever's in the tank at layup. Everything from 1/8 tank to near full. They always Start and run fine in the Spring.

Our gas contains ethanol. In 8 years of boating I've never had a fuel-related issue.

My .02

 

[crazy charlie]

The rule of thumb used to be to store the tank full so there is no room for condensation.The new rule since the newer gas will separate while in storage is to keep as little gas in the tank as possible since it will probably be bad in a month or two.Both scenarios still include using a fuel storage stabilizer.Charlie

 

[jbcurt00]

In the whole history of any forum, ever, has there been an agreement between whose right?

Stabilizer OR Not
Ethanol bad OR Not
Ethanol more prone to separate OR Not
Tank full OR Not
Tank EMPTY OR Not

Ad nauseum

No, because there is no one right answer. Else there wouldnt be hundreds and hundreds of these questions posted every year in numerous forums, iboats included.

Maybe a fuel sticky should be posted every early fall listing all the numerous gas and winterization topics.....

In a garage, heated or not, I wouldnt be overly concerned w gas in the tank if you have a separator on the motors fuel line and burn numerous tankfulls over the season. If you think adding Stabilizer helps, great, it isnt particularly expensive against the cost of a tankful of gas.

 

[Scott Danforth]

If adding stabil make you happy add stabil. If filling your tank makes you happy, fill your tank. If you do nothing and in the spring simply add fuel and go boating, make sure the plug is in and batteries charged

 

[roffey]

In the whole history of any forum, ever, has there been an agreement between whose right?

Stabilizer OR Not
Ethanol bad OR Not
Ethanol more prone to separate OR Not
Tank full OR Not
Tank EMPTY OR Not
.

1. Stabilizer OR Not - see #3
2. Ethanol bad OR Not - I thought ethanol was better for the environment but not motors
3. Ethanol more prone to separate OR Not - it was my impression ethanol did separate, no question and that's why #1
4. Tank full OR Not - up for debate
5. Tank EMPTY OR Not - same as #4

just MO and not being critical, just getting a handle on taking care of my baby, LOL. However the debate will go on and on, just like prop pitch,

 

[ondarvr]

roffey

#1 and #3

Stabilizers don't help with separation, they imply they do, but like many advertising scare tactics, they don't actually solve the issues they use to frighten you into buying them.

 

[roffey]

.. and I don't have a first hand knowledge base and just along with what I am told. So as far as #1 and #3 go, I have learnt my new thing for today.

 

[thumpar]

I have done it with every combination possible and it always works fine the next year.

 

[roscoe]

You will have a HUGE problem come spring.

You won't get far before you run out of gas.

 

[Grub54891]

Ok Roscoe......Mr obvious......lol

 

[WIMUSKY]

Yep, we all have our favorite way to winterize. We all say we do X way with no problems. We all stick to the "same" way because we don't have any problems. So, what's the best way to winterize? Yes, to all the opinions. And hibernate w/o any worries. You won't have any issues come spring. Unless mice eat your wiring..........

 

[Scott Danforth]

You will have a HUGE problem come spring.

You won't get far before you run out of gas.

See post #8....LOL

 

[fishin98]

Not to worry...fill up with fresh fuel in the spring!

 

[tpenfield]

10 gallons in a 100 gallon tank is pretty close to the 'empty' tank strategy of winterization. I think you will be fine. The slow evaporation of fumes in the tank will keep moisture out.

 

[JoshOnt]

I never add anything or worry about it and never have in the 7 years I have boated. I put the boat away with what ever is left in the tank. I do run the motor dry though beforehand to prevent block cracking.

 

[Silvertip]

Up here in the tundra we've been using corn squeezin's for decades. Ethanol blended fuel does not go bad in a month or two. If it did, there would be dead cars, boats, trucks, and other stuff with engines laying all over the place. If your layup is more than nine months then there may be some fuel system issues but it more than likely will not be because it is an ethanol blend. In your case, fill up in the spring and go boating. By the way, after you dumped the fuel stabilizer in the tank did you run the engine long enough to get the stuff into the fuel system? If not, and you believe what the label says, then the most important part of the fuel system is NOT protected.