gas tank empty over the winter?

[john baldwin]

Every spring it takes ~ 3 tanks of 93 octane to purge the winter storage gas/Stabil mix before she runs strong. This 10% ethanol fuel must be a water sponge...
Has anybody tried leaving the tank nearly empty, adding Stabil to that (in the highest concentration) and running it to see it through the system?
I'm wondering if this way it shortens the "cleanout" time in the Spring or does an empty tank just make for even more water condensate in what fuel there is?

[blucille]

Empty tank equals rusty tank. Never had a problem with ethanol based fuel after winter storage. I always makes sure my tank is completely full for winter slumber.

[shrtshck]

It would make for more condensation collecting in the tank over the winter, possibly leading to rust in the tank and contaminated fuel in the spring. Filler up with the freshest fuel in town and add stabil, if concerned with the amount of ethanol in the fuel you might look into using the marine grade stabil (green). Can't get a worse environment than a boat for having moisture issues with fuel.

[dshepp806]

Load her with non-ethanol...

Doyle

[john baldwin]

where do you find it?

[Reiver]

full tank with stabil.

[timmy2]

Originally Posted by john baldwin

where do you find it?

Find a location near you. I have 2 stations within 5 miles. Expensive though....

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

[SweetWaterSurprise]

Always left my collection with full tanks and stabil.

[MConn]

My car doesn't sit over the winter, but my boat owners manual said - if pure gas, fill the tank to avoid condensation; if ethanol gas, leave tank as empty as possible because ethanol will stratify at bottom of tank.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by connman9000

My car doesn't sit over the winter, but my boat owners manual said - if pure gas, fill the tank to avoid condensation; if ethanol gas, leave tank as empty as possible because ethanol will stratify at bottom of tank.

an empty tank will get H2O condensation in the tank
E10 can absorb H20 from the air, which then separates out w/ temp change leaving a slurry of H20 at the bottom of the tank

That's why you add Stabil or Star-tron to the full tank

I can't even leave a gallon of lawn mower gas in the garage w/o adding stabilizer to it

[tonythetarga]

Concur with full tank and stabil. I never had the issue with running rough for a few tanks but then again I always ran the first few tanks with fuel injector cleaner to remove any crud build up that may occur from fuel in the small passages of the injection system.

[john baldwin]

Thanks guys...appreciate all your inputs
A full tank it is then and on to those rear wheel bearings!

[Canada Kev]

And in the spring, run the tank until it is almost empty before you fill. That'll get rid of any remnants of the previous year's fuel much quicker.

[TheCabinetmaker]

Pump out the old gas at end of winter and run in the garden equipment or a lesser car.

A full tank prevents water condensation from air moving in and out of the tank, less air space in tank means less air can flow in and out, the air can bring in moisture and leave it consdensed on the cold exposed inner walls of the tank. This is not so much a concern if stored in a dry heated space, It can be a big concern in a moist space with wide and often temperature swings (unheated garage)

[CountD]

Originally Posted by TheCabinetmaker

Pump out the old gas at end of winter and run in the garden equipment or a lesser car.

I have done this several times with no problems. This is the best idea to go with. It costs nothing but time and everything is covered.

Just don't siphon it out with your mouth before putting into the lawnmower....