Over Winter Fuel Strategy

Don S/V ILLusion · Oct 29, 2017

Move to Florida

All U Get · Oct 29, 2017

Sorry I have to agree with Don. Put on your longies and use the fuel. I'd fill the tank because I do that with all my big machines. However my mowers and chainsaws I run dry. The voices in my head always argue that point.

All U Get

All U Get · Oct 29, 2017

shemandr said:
This thread isn't off to a good start.

Wait 'till you hear from the frog.

All U Get

Kings Gambit · Oct 29, 2017

shemandr said:
So there are 2 schools of thought on how to manage the fuel system over the winter.

I think these are more likely two differing sets of opinions.

Rich Stidger · Oct 29, 2017

Since it is gasoline, I would drain as much as possible and then treat to stabilize the rest. Gasoline really doesn't have good shelf life. If it were diesel, my answer would be different.

Kings Gambit · Oct 29, 2017

Whenever I have left over gasoline from a "season's" use I dump it into the car. This is always from outboard tanks, however.

Kermit · Oct 29, 2017

All U Get said:
Wait 'till you hear from the frog.
All U Get

Honestly I was gonna stay out of this one. The concept of winterizing gasoline is lost on this Southerner. And my tank only holds three gallons. Let’s see... 3 gallons of ethanol-free sells for a premium here. (Readily available, I might add.) Probably $3.85 per gallon. So even if I threw it all out it would cost... oh wait. I said I was gonna stay out of this one.

Monterey385 · Oct 29, 2017

Fill diesel, empty gas

JCall · Oct 29, 2017

I completely drain the tank, clear all fuel lines, and lastly the carburetor. Fresh gas in the spring and the motor starts right up.
Only the cars and the tractor do not get their fuel drained because they are operated year round.

When I retire it will be far enough south...

weinie · Oct 29, 2017

I'm a glass half full kinda guy.... and my tank is going to bed this year the same way.

Rick D · Oct 29, 2017

OK, you guys; maybe you can send some of that left-over stuff to Cali where the fuel tax goes up Wednesday by 12 cents for gas to 30 cents per gallon and by 20 cents to 36 cents per gallon for diesel, plus a sales tax increase of 4% to 9.5%. (BTW, this is simply levity (or tears), not political commentary

)

JimInPB · Oct 29, 2017

Monterey385 said:
Fill diesel, empty gas

+1.
This is what I have always done. My results have been good.

NYSail · Oct 29, 2017

I am an empty tank guy for my diesel. I’ve never had water in my fuel.... I have a racor 500. And fresh diesel with no additives in the spring. I like clean fuel.

Rich Stidger · Oct 29, 2017

NYSail said:
I am an empty tank guy for my diesel. I’ve never had water in my fuel.... I have a racor 500. And fresh diesel with no additives in the spring. I like clean fuel.

+1
I used to fill before storage hoping to eliminate condensation. But I have found that a partly full tank doesn't seem to collect any condensation either. So now I leave the tank with whatever is in it until spring. I too would rather have fresh fuel in the spring.

Head Sail · Oct 29, 2017

Last winter it was half full and no issues. I did add some Howes diesel additive though.

jssailem · Oct 29, 2017

Fuel in the tanks. Addictives to keep the bugs at bay then use the boat. Winter on the Salish sea can be fun. If there is diesel in the tank then the heater works and the crew does no freeze.

Don S/V ILLusion · Oct 30, 2017

shemandr said:
Why did I know you were going to post something to that effect? I know your winterization is a few pumps of air in the fenders. If we all moved to Florida you'd have even worse traffic in the Winter.

Sorry. I guess my feeble attempt at humor failed.

Over Winter Fuel Strategy

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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