Gas Storage

I have a 3 gal portable gas tank..how long can I leave gas in the tank if I add sta-bil each time I fill it up...
p.s new to boating .. first boat.... just retired ... 14 ft Jon, 9.9 Merc 4 stroke

Re: Gas Storage

Stabil is like 1 oz to 2.5 gallons of fuel. I think they say it's good for 1 year. Some tout up to 2 years. Some say double the amount the first time then go back to the label quantity. Some say double the amount for long term storage. I use it and Sea Foam and Startron Diesel treatment and keep fuel (E-10) for up to a year without problems.

Mark

Re: Gas Storage

This is going to start a argument. But.

I have a 300 gallon gasoline tank for emergency fuel during lots of powerline blackouts. It was last filled 8 years ago. Finally had lost enough octane that starting my 10 HP B & S generator required me to use the electric starter on it when the morning temperatures were near 40 F. After the engine warned up, I could then hand start no problem.
Pulled the head off the 10 HP B & S VERY little carbon anywhere. Did a CAREFULL CLEANING BY HAND on the Walbro carb !!!!!!!!!!!!!! lots of non-adjustable plastic parts in it. Soaked ALL the parts ONLY IN FRESH GASOLINE for 4 days. That returned the sparkplug color from almost white color to the perfect Coffee with milk color. General warning for plastic is NOBODY knows for sure what ruins any plastic part.

I have used Sea Foam in the correct amounts per gallon in all engines with NO PROBLEMS EVER.

I have NEVER put any type of stabilizer into the tank since the 1980s. I do not use a stabilizer in any equipment over the winter or summer.

I DO>>DO ALWAYS run the fuel line dry by turning off the fuel valve while the engine running at about 1/2 speed.

Rich

Re: Gas Storage

Thanks for your advise..I know nothing about boating ..all NEW

Re: Gas Storage

personally, I wouldn't store such a small amount of fuel.... Use it up at the end of the season and buy fresh in the spring.

Re: Gas Storage

At least 2 months without stabil. So if you use the boat often, no issues. Stabil/startron can't hurt,though,especially if you leave the tank out in the sun (don't). But many many people have no issues letting gas sit untreated for longer.
treated, several months, up to a year--so not an issue for most.

This time of year, the "gas question" suggests gas stored unused over the winter. That's when the opinions take off. So unless it's mixed with oil pour it into your car. if it's mixed already, stabil/startron what you have and don't worry about it.

The issue is a bigger deal with bigger tanks: more expansion, more surface area, greater volume of water falls out.

There are regional differences--the people in the Frozen North frequently post how they never stabilize anything and everything always works (hint: if they list snow blower, snow mobile, ice cat, that's them). Just not the case in the muggy south.

Re: Gas Storage

Igniter4x said:

new to boating .. first boat.... just retired ... 14 ft Jon, 9.9 Merc 4 stroke

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Well at least you didn't go overboard with your first boat purchase? Fine choice btw. My first boat was a 8' jon with a honkin' 5.5 Erude twin.

Those lil 4 stroke Mercs are gas sippers indeed. 3 gal might be overkill.

Re: Gas Storage

Smoke & I agree.

Burn up the old gas before storing the boat. I love enptying the 1/2 tank of the 5 L V 8 . I leave enough for the marina to get the boat to the fuel dock & they DO put Stabil into the tank before filling it for the winter storage. I believe less air in the tank reduces moisture build up on humid sunny winter days, on the St. Lawrence River area.
My boat always starts in 1 second or less. It has a carburator.

Re: Gas Storage

cyclops2 said:

Smoke & I agree.

Burn up the old gas before storing the boat. I love enptying the 1/2 tank of the 5 L V 8 . I leave enough for the marina to get the boat to the fuel dock & they DO put Stabil into the tank before filling it for the winter storage. I believe less air in the tank reduces moisture build up on humid sunny winter days, on the St. Lawrence River area.
My boat always starts in 1 second or less. It has a carburator.

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X3--burn that 3 gallons o gas in your car and buy fresh next Spring.

Re: Gas Storage

...

Re: Gas Storage

V153 said:

Well at least you didn't go overboard with your first boat purchase? Fine choice btw. My first boat was a 8' jon with a honkin' 5.5 Erude twin.

Those lil 4 stroke Mercs are gas sippers indeed. 3 gal might be overkill.

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Ya I can fish all day and not use a gallon of gas....don't think they make a smaller (less than 3 gal) gas tank do they ?

Re: Gas Storage

nah he was kidding.... I'm jealous tho.. I can't get my boat off the trailer and tied to the dock with a gallon of gas

Re: Gas Storage

Igniter4x said:

Ya I can fish all day and not use a gallon of gas....don't think they make a smaller (less than 3 gal) gas tank do they ?

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Yes--just don't fill it all the way. Then it's a one gallon tank.

Seriously, if you're worried about some left-over mixed oil/gas you can't put in the car, mix a gallon and carry a 1 gallon can, pure gas, and a bottle of oil.

Re: Gas Storage

he's got a 4 stroke....no oil in gas

Re: Gas Storage

smokeonthewater said:

he's got a 4 stroke....no oil in gas

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well that eliminates half of the conversation!

Re: Gas Storage

26aftcab454 said:

X3--burn that 3 gallons o gas in your car and buy fresh next Spring.

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Yesssss and if you had Sea Foam in it, it would do your car's engine a lot of good to boot.

Mark

Re: Gas Storage

You guys are great man...Im glad I signed up in here ! !

Re: Gas Storage

Yep yer right,I am from the frozen north and I never put anything in my fuel, fired up the snow blower on the weekend, about a quart of gas in it,been there since end of march, started second pull.