Fuel Stabilizer

[Westport Jeff]

I'm trying to estimate how much fuel I have left in the tank. My gauge is not very accurate.

Is it better to put too much fuel stabilizer in versus not enough? Any adverse effects if I do?

Am I better off filling up the tank or leaving it half full?

Thanks in advance.

[ProfessorM]

My mechanic tells me it is better to have less fuel because then if the gas goes sour over the winter you can add new gas or if you have to drain the crap gas and put new in. I would think a little more stabilizer is better than not enough. Paul

[MoroneSaxatilis]

It's my understanding that you want the tank almost full to reduce condensation, but not completely full to allow room for fume expansion.

[ProfessorM]

That is what I thought too but he told me different. I guess it is one of those thing's where everyone has a different way to do something. I have done it both ways and have not found any differences in either yet

[thefishingfreak]

"they",,,,say your better to fill it and stablize the whole tank..
don't go nuts topping it off 'cause those 65 degree days in early spring it will be gushing out the vents from expantion..

"I",,,, on the other hand have never use a single fuel product in over 15 years of boating. without ever having a problem. never worried about topping it off in the winter,,never used stabilizer,,ring free or the sort, in any of my boats.
the grady had the same fuel/water seporator filters on it for five years. and when i finaly did change them they were clean in side {i cut them open}.

maybe the fact it held 310 gallons kept it good... or it was never allowed to sit more than a few months? or the fact it went thru fuel like cheap wine in virginia??

not sure?? but it worked for me.

[MoroneSaxatilis]

[QUOTE=thefishingfreak"I",,,, on the other hand have never use a single fuel product in over 15 years of boating. without ever having a problem.[/QUOTE]
I guess every engine/stuation is different. I've got a 305 in my Chris Craft and if I don't winterize the fuel and tank properly, I have problems in the spring.

[Van]

Originally Posted by Professor Moriarty

My mechanic tells me it is better to have less fuel because then if the gas goes sour over the winter you can add new gas or if you have to drain the crap gas and put new in. I would think a little more stabilizer is better than not enough. Paul

People always argue this both ways.

Personally I fill near the top, use the concentration described on the bottle for storage (32oz/64gal). Then I run it for a while before fogging and stuff to bring the tank level down a bit to avoid overflow when it warms up.

As you can see here everyone has a different method..
I also change the separator in case there's any water in there.
I do that last.

[Mr. Sandman]

IMO you should add fuel stabl and fill the tank. Cheap ins. Use what the cert. mech reccomends. Also all tanks have some water in them and while the racors will generally handle it is wise to try to keep it to a minimum. If I see any water in the collector I add dry gas during the season. That normally does the trick.
I wish they had a small drain valve at the ***very*** bottom of the fuel tank that allow drainage of any crud and water into a container and removed, most tank drains on tanks I have seen are not at the very bottom they are up 1/2-1" off the bottom

I also use ring free now on each fill. I think that stuff really works.

Also, I know when the mechanic winterizes the engine they use a seperate fuel supply that is rich lubricant.

[JoeyM]

u can use more fuel stabilizer than is recommended. if you look at the stabil brand in particular, you can actually double the dose of the stabil if it's going to sit for a really long time. so going over a bit on the concentration wont hurt anything.

i am a big believer in the fuel stabilizers. i have seen too many gummed up carbs and varnished gasoline in motorcycles, lawnmowers, snowblowers and other small engines to risk it in the boat.

i've actually made quite a few bucks buying gummed up motorcycles. it's always the same thing: "i bought the bike and i fell and got scared and never rode it again, or i didnt have time to ride it, and it sat for 6 months, it used to run good now it won't start and i just want it out of my garage".

taking apart the bikes it's always the same exact thing. varnish in the throttle bodies and needles. once they're clean they always start, and i resell and make some cash.

i have never seen fuel stabilizers hurt anything. so i figure it's cheap insurance. my boat holds 300 gallons, stabilzer (mdr stor n start) costs about $15 to treat 160 gallons. compared to what the boat is worth it's well worth it. i hate cleaning carbs if i dont have to.

if you dont have to store for a long time you can probably get away with it. my race car sits for 3-4 months sometimes (before i remember to start it up once in awhile) and always runs fine without it....but my boat sits longer and i dont want to risk it over $30.

[macojoe]

I always use what the bottle says to use.
But I fill my tanks, and put it in on my last trip of the year, this way it gets all thur the lines and motor!! I do not refill the tank after that trip.
Have never had a problem doing it this way

[Westport Jeff]

Thanks for all the advise.

Looks like Saturday will be a nice day. One more trip to get the stabilizer through the system and hopefully find a few fish.