Drain and dump, or burn it? Old fuel

[eavega]

So, my new-to-me 1988 Stingray 176 SVB came with an unwanted "extra"; about 10 gallons of fuel. Per the previous owner, he had filled the tank with non-ethanol gas at the beginning of the season in mid-March or so. He topped off the tank with 6 gallons of 93 Octane 10% ethanol gas just after the 4th of July. The fuel was not stabilized, and that is what is in the tank now; approximately 10 gallons of a mix of non-ethanol that could be as much as six months old, and premium 10% Ethanol fuel that is 2 months old and was not stabilized. The boat has a Mercruiser 3.0L.

Should I:
1. Just burn the fuel ASAP in the boat and stop over-thinking it (I suspect I'll go through all 10 gallons this weekend, or at least most of it, if the weather cooperates).
2. Top of the tank with fresh fuel and go hit the lake.
3. Drain the tank and start off with a fresh tank of either stabilized fuel or non-ethanol fuel.

A couple of things to note:
Boat was stored out on a covered dock on a lift until June of this year, afterwards was stored in an open but covered location at the previous owner's property. I note this because it would've been subject to heat causing some "breathing" in the tank, but not exposed to water other than what was in the air.
The boat has an aluminum tank.

Thanks in advance for responses.

Rgds

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Drain and dump, or burn it? Old fuel

The ethanol fuel is only 2 months old, plus it was premium which will restore octane levels in the mix - should still be fine. Just burn it off.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Drain and dump, or burn it? Old fuel

yeah i wouldn't see much concern there - i would let her rip! i personally would add a touch of startron - since it is the only stabilizer i know of that also, 'supposedly', is retro-active (makes old/bad fuel better).

But that's just me.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Drain and dump, or burn it? Old fuel

agreed--nothing to worry about. Adding fresh is a good idea. Startron never hurts. I assume it's about a 20 gallon tank?

Any boat these days should have a water seperator so install one. While you are at it, use the fuel line and bulb, and pump a little gas into a clear container. Look for funkiness on the bottom. You could have that, regardless of the fuel you described.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Drain and dump, or burn it? Old fuel

Two month, three month, or six month old ethanol blended fuel is not old. Geez -- collector cars up here iin the tundra are stored all winter as are our boats and they run just fine come spring. You need to educate yourself regarding E10 and then you will understand why you need to be less concerned about it.

 

[eavega]

Re: Drain and dump, or burn it? Old fuel

Two month, three month, or six month old ethanol blended fuel is not old. Geez -- collector cars up here iin the tundra are stored all winter as are our boats and they run just fine come spring. You need to educate yourself regarding E10 and then you will understand why you need to be less concerned about it.

Ya know, if you read the packaging on the red Sta-bil product, I believe it says that fuel can start going stale in as little as 30 days. Of course, they are trying to sell you a product, and they don't define what conditions were prevalent for those 30 days...

I have read quite a few things about E10, but everything I read recommends using stabilizer or using it as quickly as possible. Nothing is said about how long it takes to go stale. I would rather ask a question than find out the hard way that two months is too long.

Thanks for the responses. Looking forward to splashing my new boat this weekend.

Rgds

 

[eavega]

Re: Drain and dump, or burn it? Old fuel

use the fuel line and bulb, and pump a little gas into a clear container. Look for funkiness on the bottom. You could have that, regardless of the fuel you described.

Great idea. That will get done tonight!

-Rgds