Has Walt gone completely mad??

[Walter]

Hey guys...<br /><br />I was over a my marine tech buddy's (Garth)place of work the other day drooling over their latest arrival...a 42 ft. Baja powered by THREE MerCruiser 502's (yours truly may get to go for a ride along on her first sea trial!! YEE HAW!)...and it just so happened the Mercury Rep. for our region was there also. This guy confirmed something Garth told me recently...even said Mercury issued a service bulletin on the subject. And that is...you should winterize your boat with the gasoline tank EMPTY! That's right...empty. I told them both I wanted to see this bulletin... <br /><br />Has anyone else heard of this before? It sure goes against all my previous teachings...<br /><br />Walt

 

[12Footer]

Re: Has Walt gone completely mad??

SA WEET!!!! I rode in a 3engine Formula. The guy had to clean the passenger's seat when we got back....Whata rush!!<br /><br />Winterizing in Florida is a tad different, Walter,but we allways drain our tanks too.<br />If the boat is going to sit all winter,the gas will be no good by spring anyhoo.<br />Is he gonna put a number on the side and go for the gold ring?

 

[nickster]

Re: Has Walt gone completely mad??

Walter and 12footer wouldn't a can of Stabalizer or Sea Foam take care of all of the problems that may occur durring winterization when you have fuel in your tank?<br /><br />Thank You!<br />Nick

 

[fone_man]

Re: Has Walt gone completely mad??

I have alway run mine nearly empty at the end of the year before winterizing... when spring rolls around fill with premium white gas & fire her up with new points/plugs.. run the "sXXt" out of it & fill again with premium white gas... good to go!!!<br /><br />As for "Has Walt gone completely mad??"... almost just posted YES before reading!!! LOL I believe those 'adult wine drinks" had gotten the best of you!!! LOL <br /><br />I hope this finds you doing well, Walt... Can I go too!!! Let us know how the ride is!!!<br /><br />TO

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Has Walt gone completely mad??

Stabalizer will help prevent the fuel from turning to varnish but it will not stop it from losing octane.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[martinwinte]

Re: Has Walt gone completely mad??

I ran a small engine repair and a tool rental shop (also own a bike, jetski, 4 wheeler and a boat)... Here is what I have found out over the years: <br /> The shelf life on gasoline is 3 months....Sta-bil pushes the shelf life to 12 months.<br /><br />Gasoline can (note CAN) asorb 80% of it's weight in water just from the air......<br /><br />What I always do (ok...try to always do.....even the best laid plans...) is to add sta-bil to the LAST tank I run before winterizing the equipment, and run it low (or out is better... what's left siphon out and run in the lawnmower or leaf blower). The next year I add FRESH gas to the tank. I have YET (from 10 years) to have a problem with a carburator from winter stroage done this way.

 

[Walter]

Re: Has Walt gone completely mad??

I think what Seeboo described is very similar to what the Merc rep said:<br /><br />Stabilize the amount of fuel left in the tank and run that gas into the engine. Then by whatever means necessary, drain as much fuel out of the tank as possible. Next spring, fill up with fresh gas, and replace your water/fuel separator. That's about all there is to it... Hmmm...ok, we'll give it a try.<br /><br />Walt

 

[hundel]

Re: Has Walt gone completely mad??

This advice isn't typical, as empty may mean condensation. Of course, you've gotta follow your manufacturer's advice.<br /> http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/winteriz.htm http://www.maxrules.com/storeit.html

 

[Walter]

Re: Has Walt gone completely mad??

Hundel...<br /><br />Condensation...that was one of my arguments. Apparently though...it's not as big as an issue as once believed. I was told "That's what fuel filters are for." I guess running a tank full of stale fuel through your engine is more harmful than any moisture that might collect in the empty tank.<br /><br />Thanks for the responses...it's interesting to hear everyone's ideas on this issue.<br /><br />Walt

 

[martinwinte]

Re: Has Walt gone completely mad??

I use to top up the tank with stablized fuel and store, however with recent gas (enriched) I chose to dry store. If you are really concerned with condensation in the Summer (with the new gas) I would run a fuel line anti-freeze (Heat) to mix with any water and allow it to burn. To go back on my original statement....If the boat has a metal fuel tank I would store it full of (stablized) gas (rust is a major PITA).

 

[ODDD1]

Re: Has Walt gone completely mad??

I think Seaboo has the right answer......I have heard people worry an fret about condensation in the tanks as long as i have been wrenching......the most important thing when coming out of storage is to get a fresh load of fuel in the system...you cant do that with a full tank of old stuff, stabilized or not...this is one more of those tradeoffs we learn to live with everyday...you must place the importance on the factors that will most affect you...I do see water in tanks, big deal, thats what water sep filters are for....I also see alot of fried outboard pistons in the spring from running last years fuel...you pick....

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Has Walt gone completely mad??

Very well put ODDD1.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Walter]

Re: Has Walt gone completely mad??

Fellas...<br /><br />I certainly appreciate all the feedback... If Garth ever coughs up that bulletin from Mercury...I'll be sure to pass along any new or addition information I receive. The idea of draining fuel tanks for winter storage is new to me...but apparently not to many of you. <br /><br />Thanks again for sharing your views & experience...<br /><br /><br />PS...No, I haven't yet had a chance to go for a flight in the Baja...but I'm still hoping!! Will let ya know...<br /><br />Take care all...<br /><br />Walt

 

[slalom]

Re: Has Walt gone completely mad??

It seems many here believe removing gas from the tank and fuel system is the right thing to do... but why? I heard that when you drain the fuelsystem certain spiders make nests, that, when mixed with fuel in the spring again, makes a certain gelly goo.<br /><br />My original feeling was that leaving fuel in the system wasn't too bad. Listen to this storey, for example:<br /><br />In addition to being an active boater, I also love snowmobiling. Prior to three years ago I always road my grandfather's machine, until I took interest in an older machine. This older machine was a 1968 Bolens Diablo Rouge that had been lying exposed to the element roughly 22 years beside the basement of our cottage. The one day about three summers ago I was instructed to clean out that area including the scrap lumber, metal, styrafoam, and the Diablo Rouge. So naturally I tried to start it up, and after 10 pulls and no go, I primed it by spraying some gasoline into the carb. The sucker fired up, so I restored it, and have been riding it every winter since then.<br /><br />So the lesson of the storey is that even 22 year old gasoline still explodes, and from MY observation, does not damage the machine its used in.<br /><br />Our course, that machine was stonehenge era, and was not fuel injected and crap like todays machines. Perhaps I am missing something. I still have to winterize our 1990 Johnson VRO 70 and 1996 Mercury four stroke 9.9. So if anyone really knows whats best, please help. <br /><br />Dylan

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Has Walt gone completely mad??

We don't have the same fuel that we did 22 years ago. Today's fuel has a shelf life of about 45 - 60 days. After that it has lost enough oxygenates that the octane is far below what it was. Go back to ODDD 1's post and pick up on the comment about motors losing pistons in the spring. The past few years it is not unheard of for motors that were running perfect when put in storage to scuff a piston after storage. Even when the carbs are clean. I grew up being preached to about storing the tank full. We don't have that fuel anymore and have to rethink what works.<br /><br />I had a copy of the Merc bulletin a long time ago but can't find it now. I seem to remember they approached the subject from a little different angle, but the idea was the same. Store tanks empty.<br /><br />Good luck!