VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Winterizing Question

For the folks in the "winter is coming soon" zone, what is better - full tank of gas with a stabilizer added OR very little gas with very little stabilizer added?

Dry tank is best. Full tank with stabilizer is second.

Temperature swings are more extreme up here than in Ohio to be sure.

I've nearly always left tanks full, and had no problems, even when the truck (or whatever) sits for a year or more without use.

Any problems I've had have been with the condensation that accumulates in the tank when I've inadvertently NOT left the tank full.
I've even seen surface rust form inside a tank and on the inside of the gas cap when I didn't leave it full.

Air expands and contracts much much more than gasoline with temperature changes, so the tank continuously "breaths" moisture into the tank when empty.

Hawkeye

You didn't ask this just to "liven up the forum" a little bit did you? :-)

:-)

My 41 fuel tank was saved from internal damage by locals stealing the fuel constantly using the drain plug and then refitting it.

wannchev you were lucky they refitted the plug, anytime I have had fuel "stolen" if there was a plug it was taken with the fuel or if no plug a big hole was left for me to fix.
Tony

Stovbit, I asked the question to see what others were doing in locations similar to mine. Last year, the weather here was relatively mild compared to previous winters. Temps averaged between 5 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit with swings to 10 below zero AND very little snow (moisture). Since my car is stored in an unheated garage, moisture is always a concern. My 1934 Chrysler was stored with a couple of gallons of regular "Leaded" gas for over 25 years and the gas tank survived very well. After removing what was left and adding new fuel to the tank, the car started up with very few problems. This car was/is stored in the same garage was my 1950. I just don't want to have 16 gallons of gas that won't work when spring arrives. Getting it out of the tank and disposing of it is a real pain.

My cars are stored in an unheated building. I have never worried about how much gas is in them and I have never drained the gas in the spring. I just start them up and drive them. I've never had problems with the fuel going bad or with the tank getting rusty. I have owned my '37 since 1967, no fuel or tank problems.

Hi Hawkeye

Like Ed, I don't have problems with gas going bad in tanks either. Even when it sits for well over a year.
I've never ever drained gas out of a tank just to put in fresh gas.

That's why I figure the tank might as well be full with no room for condensation.
Air actually has a surprising amount of moisture in it. Even when it seems to be very dry.

The "liven up the forum" thing was because this is the kind of question that elicits widely varying views and answers. :-)
Even from people in the same area.

I take the advice of filling as full as possible and using stabilizer. So many of the so called gurus claim that the "new gasoline" adds to the process of condensation forming within an empty tank. I prefer to err on the side of caution and leave anything I own, from the rototiller to the '29, full of fuel with stabilizer in the gas and through the fuel system. I haven't had an issue doing it in this manner and I prefer it that way. I live in the northern Adirondacks where temps can greatly fluctuate from -30 to above freezing in a matter of 24 hrs. so the condensation can be an issue.

i use stabilizer in my fuel all year round, since all we have is ethanol around here. bout an hour drive to get non-ethanol at a premium.

also mine sits in a climate controlled shop as well, temp (75F summer 65F winter with humidity @ 45% year round) !!

plus if we have a clear weekend, i will fire it up and take it for a ride. no rain snow or blah its out running.

the lawn equipment i drain the fuel, and run them till they wont start, also stabilizer in that fuel. spring tune up is fresh fuel with some seafoam, new plugs, air filter, and they all start one first or second pull. have for last 10+ years.