I wanted to get some thoughts on the above subject. Some people drain their fuel tank before storage while some fill to the brim while adding a stabilizer. Which one is really best and does the tank have to be full (if you choose this method) as opposed to only half or three quarters full as long as it has a stabilizer?

 

Thanks,

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Keith Germano
2008 210LS

"Nassen Sie Traum"

Hi Keith,

 If you read what the Mercruiser manual says it gives you two options:

 1. Fill the tank up to the brim - stablize, etc.

2. If the gas you are using contains ethanol then you want your tank to be as empty as possible and stabilize what is left.

I guess the ethanol evaporates and causes moisture buildup in the tank so the less the better.  Most of the gas we use are here contains ethanol so I guess I will just stabilze what is left and leave it alone.

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2008 Crownline 210 LS
5.0 Merc. MPI
Picked it up 7/24/08!

Don't make a big deal over it.  Just make sure that what ever is in it that you have stabilizer in it.

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Sold Boat. Looking for a Cruiser.
Cheat Lake, WV

Bob Hellman:

Don't make a big deal over it.  Just make sure that what ever is in it that you have stabilizer in it.

 

Exactly. I went yesterday to put the work order in to pull our boat and acid wash. Fortunately I do not have to shrink wrap and pay for storage as we purchased the house next door and will be able to store it in the garage for the winter.

The asked the mechanic at the marina and he said no reason to fill it up. Todays fuel has a "shelf life" of approximately 90 days. Its best to leave whatever fuel is in the tank there and stabil it. Maybe use some Heet to prevent moisture if stored outside in cold conditions. But best thing is fresh fuel in the spring when you put the boat in. Makes sense, why would I want to have old gas in the boat when you go to run again in the spring.

We'll be out today since its in the mid 70's here for a last cruis around the lake and to use up more of the gas. Sad to see the season end, but looking forward to next year!

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1998 Corwnline 180BR (1st boat)
Waterford, MI
Go STATE!

Like Bob said, I wouldn't sweat it too much.  Either way you will probably be fine.  Personally, I've always gone the fill it up route.  I add the stabil before heading out to fill it up on winterizing day.  It gets nice and mixed with the partial tank there and finished off driving home. That way when I run the engine before oil change, it gets stabilized fuel in the lines carb etc.  I also put a balloon over the vent fitting as a way of sealing out moisture but allowing pressure expansion.  Consider this..Heet is isopropyl alcohol.  Alcohol attracts/absorbs water.  IMO the last thing you want to do is add MORE alcohol to your gas.  People use HEET to get rid of water in their gas tanks (cars usually) when they will be burning it right away.  Timing is the subtlety when using it. The problem with gas in boats is sometimes it sits for weeks even months when not in use or stored.  Temperature swings cause moisture in the air to condense inside partially full fuel tanks.   The alcohol attracts moisture from the air and phase separates and you get bad gas.  

With gas prices being as volatile as they have been lately, you have to also ask yourself what will the price be next spring?  Filling it could be a good or bad thing depending!    I filled my suburban yesterday for what I thought was a steal $3.22 reg.    Today I see same station @ $3.14!

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Paul Baisch

I have traditionally stored FULL. The last two seasons over the winter, some helpful soul has helped themselves to 50+ gallons out of my 60 gallon tank. This year I'm going to beat them to it and pump it out myself, first.

 Gilly

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1994 225CCR
TOBACCO Money

All of the info. I've read about this says to never use heet or other water absorbent items with E10 gas. It will actually make it worse and cause more water to form. Use either marine-stabil, star brite startron or ez-store, ez-start for E10 stabilization. I found, from another post here, that the star brite ez-store, ez-start will also act as a fogger and stabilizer which is what is needed in fuel injected engines since fogging oil will not work if sprayed into the intake manifold. I just did it and now I wait for spring. Can never come too soon.

 

Regards,

Mark.

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Mark
2004 235CCR

I will store my boat with a full tank and will add ethanol stabilizer and will put a little more than recommended. The main reason is because next summer, there's no telling what the gas prices will be and at least, we'll be able to use the boat few times if gas prices get out of hand again.

 

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Bare Necessities
212 DB
Texarkana, TX

Storage, what's that? I say use all the gas, fill it back up and go again. It was 81 today and same scheduled for tomorrow.    I really do feel for you guys up north.  I'm not sure I would even own a boat if I had a short season and had to deal with storage issues.  My hat's off to you!

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Wade & Debbie Moorefield
Jacksonville FL
2006 CR250 "Chief's Medicine"

Wade Moorefield:

Storage, what's that? I say use all the gas, fill it back up and go again. It was 81 today and same scheduled for tomorrow.    I really do feel for you guys up north.  I'm not sure I would even own a boat if I had a short season and had to deal with storage issues.  My hat's off to you!

 

82 today tomorrow 80 in good ole Spursville

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Limited Edition 230BR 8.2Liter/502CI (GSI Volo Penta) DP-S

LAKATION

Project(s) Completed:
2000 Watt Stereo Systerm
Swimplatforms.com

Coming Soon:
Wakeboard Tower and Speaker Setup
Custom Graphics

just so you know everyone north of the mason dixon hates you!!!!

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Eddy And Kim
2000 210 ccr 5.0 Bravo 3
Tecumseh Michigan
GO BLUE!!!!

Full tank with stabilize.

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Glenn Jones
2007 - 240LS, Onyx/Moonstone ,6.2L/B3,
Razor Graphics,Xtreme Tower ,Corsa Exhaust.
Deluxe Social Swim Platform,

Calgary,Alberta,Canada

I usually stabil what ever is in the tank.  In the spring I top it off with premium.  I haven't had any issues yet.

Dane

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2007 250 Crownline Cruiser
pulled by an 06 Dodge MEGACAB
Cummins Power.

I'm leaving my tank full, with stabilizer.  I don't think anyone has proven either way to be MOST effective (I've read a lot), so I'm just going with what I like to do.  I prefer to be able to turn the key and go in April and not even have to think about fueling up.  It's also a lottery on fuel prices.  I either get it cheaper, or have older, more expensive gas, but can afford to replace it if the gas is even cheaper in the spring!

Now, if I have the problem Tom had, I may rethink this strategy..

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2006 235 CCR, "Mommy's Diamond" Fairwinds Marina, Magothy River