Getting back to winter storage

G

gradyrod

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2008
Messages
97
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Long Island,NY
I know many of you think I'm jumping the gun here discussing winter storage in mid September, but I'm the kind of guy who likes to have all my ducks in order early on to avoid wasting time as it starts to get cold out!

Today's question is fuel tanks-- should they be full and stabilized, or empty? In the past I always left my tanks full, but these days with E10 and all I wonder if it is better to start with fresh fuel in the spring and avoid phase separation and the water absorbing qualities of Ethanol over the winter.

Comments, please!

Gradyrod
1985 Fisherman 204
1997 Johnson 175 Oceanrunner
 
I have been storing full w/stabilizer and startron since we've had E10(02-03) and have never had an issue(I had 02 200 HPDI's on an 88 Sailfish before the F250's)In the spring I have each motor burn their own tank down to 1/4-1/2 then fill with fresh fuel then run both motors one tank at a time for the rest of the year.

2005 300 Marlin w/F250's
 
gradyrod said:
I know many of you think I'm jumping the gun here discussing winter storage in mid September, but I'm the kind of guy who likes to have all my ducks in order early on to avoid wasting time as it starts to get cold out!

Today's question is fuel tanks-- should they be full and stabilized, or empty? In the past I always left my tanks full, but these days with E10 and all I wonder if it is better to start with fresh fuel in the spring and avoid phase separation and the water absorbing qualities of Ethanol over the winter.

Comments, please!

Gradyrod
1985 Fisherman 204
1997 Johnson 175 Oceanrunner
Click to expand...

Every article (and I do mean every) that I have ever read on this subject has stated to store tanks full. From what I have read, it is even more important to do so if you have E10 in your tank.

September is when I begin using stabilizer in my fuel because I never know when something is going to prevent me from using the boat for the remainder of the season. Also, I order all of my winterizing supplies in September so that I'll be good to go when it comes time for winterizing the boat
 
I have noticed some fuel stations, Gulf and Shell advertise that they do not have ethanol laced fuel. (Atlantic Highlands NJ and Eastern PA) Thats where I am filling up! A little more $$ though.
 
Hi
I always stored full - until E10. Once E10 started, my dealer tells us to run the tanks down and store only what is left. They do treat it, but it isn't full. In the spring, fresh gas is added and off I go. I've been doing it this way since E10 was introduced and store the boat 6 months without any problem.

I've heard it both ways. I do like this better, as when gas was $4-5 a gal, a boat sitting with 306 gal of gas is a tempting target, and quite easy to siphon as the tank is elevated to perfection when sitting on blocks.

Looks like either way works...
 
1st grady said:
I have noticed some fuel stations, Gulf and Shell advertise that they do not have ethanol laced fuel. (Atlantic Highlands NJ and Eastern PA) Thats where I am filling up! A little more $$ though.
Click to expand...

Just keep in mind it is highly recommended NOT to mix E10 with the non E10.
 
Fishtales said:
Hi
I always stored full - until E10. Once E10 started, my dealer tells us to run the tanks down and store only what is left. They do treat it, but it isn't full. In the spring, fresh gas is added and off I go. I've been doing it this way since E10 was introduced and store the boat 6 months without any problem.

I've heard it both ways. I do like this better, as when gas was $4-5 a gal, a boat sitting with 306 gal of gas is a tempting target, and quite easy to siphon as the tank is elevated to perfection when sitting on blocks.

Looks like either way works...
Click to expand...

I have done it this way too. The tanks are as empty as possible, over treat with Startron and add fresh fuel in the spring. Never had a problem. I also run it for about 20 hours in the spring and then change the fuel water separators.
 
In non E10 days, it was originally advised to keep tank full for safety reasons, not fuel in water issue.

But I've seen it both ways now with E10, because of alcohols affinity to water in air, and phase separation.

I guess a compromise is half full in Fall, then fill the remainder with fresh fuel upon launch.

Marina motivation may be other than technical, for instance, selling off their fuel loads they paid for. Or may be safety related.

Some last year speculated on the price of fuel and filled up to assure they would not have to pay more than 5 bucks per gallon come new season, I guess the investment didn't work out.

Don't mix different type of fuels, and always use a stabilizer year round with E10, I'm on blue Stabil this season.
 
I understand in the future we won't have to contend with this crap any longer, the laws have been changed for manufacturers to close off the fuel systems, don't recall the impelmentation drop dead date, but it is law.

Finally, took long enough. Will be then just like our cars, had for more 30 yrs.
 
I believe that the mixing of e10 and MBTE (a fuel additive) was the issue. MBTE is is no longer used. Is there still a problem? They are advertising nitrogen additives.
 
Yes MTBE and e10 will make a milk shake

reason full for e10 is, less it can draw water from the air inside the tank

my neighbor over here wants to put a one way valve in the vent link in his ski boat

he complained to me about loosing 5 gallons of gas in 3 months

i told him, sell the boat or use it, if ya worried about evaporation, because that valve will not do a dang thing!!!

keep it full with prg, or stabil, seafoam

i still do not trust startron
 
gradyrod said:
I know many of you think I'm jumping the gun here discussing winter storage in mid September,
Click to expand...

I grew up in Long Island City and Bayside. Left there to join the U.S. Navy in 1965. Been living in "Tidewater" Virginia since 1972.

We fish 12 months of the year here. Our striped bass season just gets going strong when you are shrink-wrapping your boats up there. We've fished 75nm offshore in February.

You're a better man than me to only use your boat for 1/2 a year.. :D

Brian
 
Have had e-10 for 5 years now in my marina, leave my tanks full and put in startron, and have 0 problems, only problems I've seen in my marina are with guys who leave tanks 1/2 or less full, the more air the wuicker the e10 can break down in the fuel and form water, air can hold water molicules, so the less air the less potential for water to form, especially for those who shrink wrap and get the exteme heat during the day and extreme cold at night from the shrink wrap material, the larger jumps in temp will allow condensation to form quicker. Never heard of a guy having issues with a full tank during storage, only the other way around. Going empty would work too, but I mean bone dry, not 5 or 10 gal, because out of those 5 or 10 gal you WILL get water to form, enough to foul your filters on the first fill up, to pump a tank fully dry is more work then it is worth honestly so unless you have the time to really get her bone dry then full is the way to go.
 
We have a 265 Express with two tanks...the "main" tank we use all the time, the "aux" tank just for runs to points east and offshore.

When we pull the boat for the winter, the aux tank will have been ran as far "dry" as possible, I then hand pump as much of the leftover fuel out of that tank, drop in a bunch of stabil and waterzorb. Main tank gets topped off with fresh fuel before haul and stabil and waterzorb also added..(plus ringfree for yammies, always)...i dont run startron or stabil during the year, we use the boat alot so i think its a non factor. Boat it out of the water for about 5 months...i would be much more concerned if it was for a much longer time. In fact when we bought the bought is was used and out of the water for almost TWO years!! It was dealer servicedm, properly treated and i stress the word properly and we were really concerned about the condition of the fuel...it was fine.

Never had a problem. (knock on wood)..i wont comment on pre e10 and the headaches that we all endured, i htink that post has been beat to death?

Bottom line, take care of your boat and she will take care of you?
 
I usually maintain more than a half tank during the normal season. For storage, I add Stabil only to whatever is in the tank. I have a poly tank and maybe that helps because I haven't had any water issues. Next spring I will top off the tank before launch. Note that my boat has a dual purpose fuel filler, fill and vent. I believe that the amount of air that can enter that filler is very small when the motor is not running and in effect, the tank is 'sealed'as opposed to a typical separate vent system.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.