30 replies to this topic

[Jay6spdRT]

I'll be putting up the R/T very soon, probably within the next week, for the winter. I am concerned about the ethanol content in fuel these days and the possibility for water retention. Before I top off the fuel tank, should I add anything to the fuel like Stabil, etc? Or will simply topping off the tank prevent condensation?

[ScapeGoat]

your tank wont condensate, thats a myth. just leave it low and add fresh gas before you start it in the spring

[Williams RT]

x2, do not top it off. The shelf life for gas it not usually too good. I ran about all this season on filling up after cf2, stale gas.

[J-Z]

Just some food for thought.

http://www.google.co...K9cPdK5yhmK_tIQ

[Hemi57]

I would add a bit of Marine grade Sta-Bil or some Seafoam. That's what I use in my Honda CRV, Monte Carlo SS, Challenger, 4 wheeler, Zero Turn mower, weed eater, chain saw etc... They all start and run in the spring with fresh fuel to fill the tank. But then I add it to every gas can fill all year long. I would do it to my RV but it has a 75 gal tank and we try to use it at least once a month to get away from the daily grind.

Remember ethanol is hygroscopic... But, as the fuel system is considered a closed system there should little water in the gas even after a few months of sitting. But if you have a boat that has a vented system you best use something.

[deef1999]

Move south and drive your car year round Jim.

[Pat McCrotch]

Any aviators here ? I was schooled condensation can occur in fuel tanks. Regular sumping is prescribed, gascolators exist and syringes are used to extract samples pre-flight. I have drawn off several syringe fulls of water on Cessna wing tanks from a single overnight sitting in a Northeast Summer. Could it have been contaminated fuel, yes but the kit exists in every cockpit I was in. I keep mine full to the brim in hopes no air means no or at least less ability to condensate. Multiple garden tractors of mine have been parked at whatever lvl was present end of each mowing season with no additives. Not one Spring start up or carb problem so it can't be that prevelant an issue. Ethanol presence now may change the game.

[StevoHemi]

Last year I just filled it up (94 octane) to the top and parked it on stands from mid November to April. I fired it up once in January for ten minutes. I was having serious HEMI withdrawl symptoms and just had to hear the noise of the HEMI .

After reading the Aol article on gas.... I will be sure to add some Stabil this week coming up. Thanks for the info.

Stevo

[ScapeGoat]

difference is this isnt an airplane, we are talking about a plastic tank that also doesnt have a return line that never sees the sun

[Williams RT]

difference is this isnt an airplane, we are talking about a plastic tank that also doesnt have a return line that never sees the sun

Even if it was a metal tank , if it is stored in a garage it is highly unlikely to condensate. Due to temperatures not changing quickly, stale fuel is more of a problem. Like Mike said leave the level low and top it off in the spring with fresh gas.

[Speedy]

Well, I put Stabil in my equipment when stored for the winter. Had a motorcycle give me trouble starting one spring, and have put Stabil in everything I've stored ever since and never had another problem.

Cheap and can't hurt.

[ScapeGoat]

do you guys use Marvel Mystery Oil too?

I mean they say
"ADDED TO GAS OR DIESEL:
Marvel Mystery Oil® lubricates the entire fuel system-fuel pumps, fuel injectors or carburetors and the top-portion of the cylinders. These are areas, that by design, motor oil does not reach. Using Marvel Mystery Oil® in your fuel extends the life of these vital components by providing them with lubrication that fuel alone does not provide."


I mean it says the top area of your cylinders need lubrication better run out and buy you some

Do you think Stabil is going to keep Ethanol from evaporating? Like I said I would leave it low and add fresh before start up.

[Williams RT]

I use the Marvel Mystery Oil for my air tools.

[Hemi57]

I think if you look at the MSDS for Marvel Mystery Oil you will find it is 70-80% Naphtha and 20-30% Mineral Spirits and 1% other.

You can look at the MSDs for anything WalMart sells here.

[Jay6spdRT]

The "1 % other" is the mysterious part -

[Hemi57]

Now Sta-Bil does have a few more ingredients than just the 95% petroleum distillate..

But, SeaFoam is Pale Oil , Naphtha and Isopropyl Alcohol.

[ScapeGoat]

I hope people know that Naptha and Mineral Spirits are Paint removers. They are the 2 key ingredients in Wax & Grease Remover. So would you pour that into your oil?

[demonbydesign]

I hope people know that Naptha and Mineral Spirits are Paint removers. They are the 2 key ingredients in Wax & Grease Remover. So would you pour that into your oil?

Great thread.

Mike would know about all things paint. Great advice. If I may ask another question guys...


I keep mine in the garage and during winter IF there is not a lot of salt on the roads and it's sunny out I'll go for trips. But if she sits for say a month in the garage, last year I would at least once a week start her up for 10-15 minutes. Talking to Roger and Jim yesterday about it and the feeling is that in the future I should run it for the 10 minutes a week and right before shutting her off while in Park (of course) I should go WOT for just enough to blow out any water in the exhaust pipes.

Also, I don't have the room to put my car up. So should I pump the tire pressure up high or something if she's gonna sit for a month at a time?

Any other thoughts on how to handle things?

[Williams RT]

Tony, I like to keep mine on one of these parking mats. Seems to help with the flat spots and keeps the underside of the car dry in case the floor condensates. Stuff in my garage will sweat if we get a random warmer humid day here in the winter. Which we are prone to have. As far as starting it up for 10 minutes a week, I am not a fan of that, if you can not get the car up to operating temperature for a little while I would skip starting it.Not getting up to operating temps causes more problems than it is worth starting it. Disconnect the battery and leave it alone.JMO

[Speedy]

The biggest thing if you're gonna start the car and let it run, is make sure it gets up to 100% operating temp.