full gas tank for storage

[progolfer]

Can anyone give me advice on whether or not I should fill up my gas tank completely while it is in storage? All replies are appreciated.

[Kenny kustom]

Yes


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

I am nice!

[dalford]

Yes. The reason is to keep condensation down. When you leave the tank empty water will form on the tank walls when temperature changes. More tank wall exposed, more condensation. Fill it and and add a fuel additive to help keep the fuel fresh.

[5picker]

Yes, along with Stabil 'storage formula' gas treatment before filling.

[Duckogram]

X4 and be sure to run the engine and genset after you mix the stabil in the tank so it gets into the injectors and carb bowl.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by Duckogram

X4 and be sure to run the engine and genset after you mix the stabil in the tank so it gets into the injectors and carb bowl.

5X

[PenJoe]

I will go against the tide here, by saying no to a full tank. For a very long time, I have never filled the tank for prolonged storage and have never had a problem.This goes for the built in tank on our outboard motor as-well. But, I always use StaBil as recommended on the instructions. The instructions advise you to double the dose for storage.

My suggestion would be to run low on E15 gas at season's end and use non-ethanol gas, what ever is left in the tank, for storage along with StaBil. Gasoline without alcohol floats, so minimal moisture collecting at the bottom of the tank will burn through with the gasoline. In the spring, I top off with fresh gas. And, no, I have never had to replace a gas tank because of rust.

The reasoning is that E15 gasoline used by most newer vehicles goes stale. The site below states it should be discarded. The alcohol in E15 gasoline absorbs a lot of water. It is not only difficult, but expensive to discard fuel. The question is, how far do you want to drive on stale fuel?
Gasoline Expiration - Ethanol Blend Fuels Have a Short Shelf Life

As for small engines, e.g lawn mowers, weed wackers, riding mowers, I only use non-alcohol gas, including in the outboard motor. There is no alcohol to ruin the gaskets and gas lines. In the fall, I first drain the tanks (other than the outboard) to near empty, add a little Stabil to the tank and then run it out of gas. This prevents gumming up in storage. I have not had a problem starting an engine after storage with this method.

Interesting to see comments on this post.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by PenJoe

I will go against the tide here, by saying no to a full tank. For a very long time, I have never filled the tank for prolonged storage and have never had a problem.This goes for the built in tank on our outboard motor as-well. But, I always use StaBil as recommended on the instructions. The instructions advise you to double the dose for storage.

My suggestion would be to run low on E15 gas at season's end and use non-ethanol gas, what ever is left in the tank, for storage along with StaBil. Gasoline without alcohol floats, so minimal moisture collecting at the bottom of the tank will burn through with the gasoline. In the spring, I top off with fresh gas. And, no, I have never had to replace a gas tank because of rust.

The reasoning is that E15 gasoline used by most newer vehicles goes stale. The site below states it should be discarded. The alcohol in E15 gasoline absorbs a lot of water. It is not only difficult, but expensive to discard fuel. The question is, how far do you want to drive on stale fuel?
Gasoline Expiration - Ethanol Blend Fuels Have a Short Shelf Life

As for small engines, e.g lawn mowers, weed wackers, riding mowers, I only use non-alcohol gas, including in the outboard motor. There is no alcohol to ruin the gaskets and gas lines. In the fall, I first drain the tanks (other than the outboard) to near empty, add a little Stabil to the tank and then run it out of gas. This prevents gumming up in storage. I have not had a problem starting an engine after storage with this method.

Interesting to see comments on this post.

Ah, the old ethanol issue. I agree with you on ethanol. So in my earlier post I said yes and I still say yes as I never put ethanol gas in my boat tanks which are big enough to to hold 400 gallons. Lots of wall space to creat water and I use diesel in my truck... But if using ethanol, a whole other discussion..

Good point PenJoe...

[Tommy G]

Does this apply to diesel tanks? Was told by a trucker/rv friend that algae and scum would grow in the tank and lines. He suggested Killum additive. True or False?

[CSMRetired]

Originally Posted by Tommy G

Does this apply to diesel tanks? Was told by a trucker/rv friend that algae and scum would grow in the tank and lines. He suggested Killum additive. True or False?

We have always filled our diesel tanks before storing or extended parking for that very reason

[KyDan]

Modern GAS tanks with sealed caps and vapor recovery systems don't care if they are full or not.
Lawn mowers, generators, my motorcycle that do not have tightly sealed gas tanks might have less condensation if completely full.

[A32Deuce]

Trouble now is the 10% alki in the fuel now. That has an affinity for moisture. Stable has a new produce #360 just because of it. So yes you should store with a full tank.

[TURBS]

Full tank and one ounce of seafoam per gallon of gas.


2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by TURBS

Full tank and one ounce of seafoam per gallon of gas.


2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"

Sea foam is my hero


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

I am nice!

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

Sea foam is my hero


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

I am nice!

Sea foam is the duct tape of fuel additives.


2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"

[wana65stang]

[QUOTE=Tommy G;1063203]Does this apply to diesel tanks? Was told by a trucker/rv friend that algae and scum would grow in the tank and lines. He suggested Killum additive. True or False?[/QU

I was told from the fuel supplier at work that algae is from Bio-fuel ( the french fry oil going bad!!) We had to have a half storage tank pumped out and a complete cleaning of the inside because of algae growth. ( Not my opinion just what I was told)

[kluza2786]

Tommy G - Definitely applies to diesel tanks also if they're going to be sitting for a long period of time.

[brandon 2]

I would think that a full tank is the best thing to do. Its always been recommended for motorcycles and then add a good dose of fuel stabilizer and work it into the fuel system. Partially filled tanks can create quite a bit of condensation.

Brandon 2
Sunseeker 2500TS
Yamaha V Star 1,100

[RamblerGuy]

I agree with Penjoe. I leave the tank about 1/4 and add Stabil. If the E10 goes bad I don't want a full tank of it. After driving to storage lot I run the generator, then drain its carburetor.

I didn't add Stabil the first time it was stored for 4 months. We planned to use it during that time but didn't. It started and ran fine anyway. I won't take that chance again.

[TURBS]

The less air in the tank the better!
Air is moisture moisture is bad!



2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"