Winter storage

[mudbug141poppy]

who has the correct answer and reason. With todays e-10 fuel we have to put in our boats how is the best way to store over the winter months.Should we store fuel tanks full or drain the tanks.Should carbs be full or run engine till carbs are empty.What is the best stablizer to use if stored full.I have heard both ways

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Winter storage

Run Stabil through your last tank. Store it full/empty however. I've had no issues yet.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Winter storage

LOL depends on how long your winter is.......... in VT we store for 5-6 months (and longer) I have stored "stabil treated" fuel for that long however, I do mix in fresh fuel before I run that tank.

 

[badkins50]

Re: Winter storage

we are about the same here in northern ohio with about 5 months of storage. what i've been doing is adding stabil to the the tank before my last outting, then leaving the tank around a 1/4 tankl, then next season before I start it up, i'll top it off with new fuel again. if there is any question I'll drain it and start over with fresh gas. I guess it depends on the size of the tank too as we only have a 55 gallon tank to get rid of and I can do that pretty quick it seems like lol.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Winter storage

I have always heard that it is best to store with a full tank. If there is space in the tank then it condensates and you get water in the fuel. I use stabil with a full tank when I put her to bed for the winter..

 

[mudbug141poppy]

Re: Winter storage

see what i'm saying ,just got 3 differant answers one said store full tank,1 said empty tank and 1said 1/4 tank,also should you run engine out of fuel or leave carbs full

 

[mudbug141poppy]

Re: Winter storage

also what about those fuel/water separators do u buy acording to engine size or is it ons size fits all and what micron do u need

 

[JimS123]

Re: Winter storage

As they say "I feel your pain man".....LOL. Too many opinions.

Recently I was looking at a number of sites to buy a new fuel tank. All were manufactuurer's web sites. All had storage recommendations. Some said drain and some said keep full. So, I guess Mercury and Evinrude don't know the answer either.

When E-10 first became available the general concensus was keep full and stabilize with StaBil. I've done that ever since. I have been using gasohol for probably 10 or more years. I drain the carb on my outboards (run till stumbles then squiggle the choke a bit) and I leave my I/O carb full. My lawnmowers are the same as the I/O. These days I fill up on the way home, so my tank is never empty.

My OB tanks (I have 4 of them - all metal) sparkle inside like they were brand new. They are 1964, 1952, 1984 and the new one I believe is a 2005. The only issues were with the older two - I had to replace the gas gauge float with an alcohol resistant rubber one because the cork / laquor dissolved from ethanol.

Recently had the opportunity to borrow an underwater ccd camera used for industrial inspections. Something like they use for colonoscopies. Just for grins and giggles I inspected my 27 year old aluminum I/O tank. Sparkles like new and hardly any sediment on the bottom.

I personally never bought a separator. If I have a problem, maybe I will. As for now, why bother?

I'm not making recommendations, just telling you my experience.

 

[badkins50]

Re: Winter storage

look at what ez says. however you want most likely going to to be fine, just keep the stabil in there. your probably going to get even more different answers as this goes on and who knows this tread may even get locked. you know what they say about opinions, lol.

As for the carbs, I personally fog the motor through the carbs per the mercruiser manual until it stalls out, then turn the key off and forget about it.

 

[partskenn]

Re: Winter storage

Like a couple people said, everyone has a different opinion. I store it with 1/4 to 1/2 tank, add stabill, fog it till it dies. In the spring I add at least 20 to 30 gallons of fresh gas. Northern Michigan, so it sits for at least 6 to 7 months, never had a problem. Don't know that it's the correct answer, but it has worked for several years.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Winter storage

Storage opinions vary from person to person.

So, here is mine that I have followed for years.

First, I personally avoid E10 by buying premium. I have encountered too many fuel related issues to ever use ethanol in anything but a daily driver.

for storage, a fresh change of all lubrication. Regarding fuel - no stabil - just a full fuel tank to minimize any condensation volume. I actually top off the tank with a jerry can once the boat is parked to make sure its full.

I am usually the last one in storage, and the first one out. 5 months maximum. bounce fabric sheets everywhere inside the boat (keeps spiders and mice out) and mothballs around the perimeter of the boat (keeps mice from nesting in the trailer)

This year I will be pulling the motor on the Rogue and may pull the fuel tank to clean the hull in the area, so it will be run low, then have the tank siphoned.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Winter storage

its also a good idea to change your gearcase oil, whether you live to the south, or the north, store your motor in a heated space, or unheated. (i have a little lightwin, that was given to me, it has a big bead of weld on the gearcase, it must have leaked really bad, filled full of water, and froze and broke over the winter. ) in any case, draining the gearcase, and refilling is good cheap insurance against corrosion or freeze damage.

 

[mudbug141poppy]

Re: Winter storage

I noticed scott said he avoids E10 by running premium fuel,does the higher price premium not have ethanol in it

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Winter storage

does the higher price premium not have ethanol in it

I do not think this is a universal truth.

 

[skargo]

Re: Winter storage

I do not think this is a universal truth.

You are correct. ALL fuel here in the Western shore and inland of MD has ethanol, regardless of whether it's premium or not.

I fill my tanks, with an overdosage of stabil when I lay her up for the winter. I run my carb dry too.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Winter storage

I noticed scott said he avoids E10 by running premium fuel,does the higher price premium not have ethanol in it

not all premium is ethanol free unless there is a big ole shiny decal on the pump stating "ethanol free". EPA does not mandate advertizing for less than 10% ethanol. with E15 coming, there will be more warnings about only using it in 2007 and newer vehicles, however I bet someone puts that in their boat or small engine (which instantaneously voids warranty). i am lucky because the stations around here advertise "no ethanol". At work, we run aviation fuel in all the products that we test to ensure no ethanol.

 

[mudbug141poppy]

Re: Winter storage

here in kentucky they don't have to display whats in the pumps

 

[Cincyrunner]

Re: Winter storage

I am usually the last one in storage, and the first one out. 5 months maximum. bounce fabric sheets everywhere inside the boat (keeps spiders and mice out) and mothballs around the perimeter of the boat (keeps mice from nesting in the trailer)

I've heard of mothballs keeping mice out, but not bounce fabric sheets. Where did you get this trick?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Winter storage

been using it for almost 30 years to keep mice out of the car. smells better than mothballs. got the trick from an old hot-rodder. never had mice in the car or boat. did find a bat once in the bimini top, however no mice or spiders.