Unused gas in a 22' cruiser

Big Mac · Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 10:13 pm Post subject: Unused gas in a 22' cruiser

I know that this should not happen, but after a short boating season (to much work and not enough boating) I find that I have about 10 gallons of gas in each tank. Anyone have a good idea for removing the gas. I used my spare 6 gallon tank to winterize the motors, running gas with Stable in it, then drained the carberators and fogged the cylinders. I bet someone makes a pump or something to get the gas out? Any ideas would be appreciated, Happy Boating Big Mac.

Adeline · Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 10:29 pm Post subject:

Merry Christmas Big Mac, I bought a fuel line w/ primer bulb for siphoning. I cut the suction end @ a 45 degree angle so it slides easily into the tank. Best wishes, Pete

CAVU · Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 10:57 pm Post subject:

Big Mac,
I don't empty my tanks. My theory(just guessing): if you siphon out the fuel, you will be left with a very small shallow puddle in the bottom of the tank. I figured this would be more likely to evaporate and leave a residue in the tank? I have always added plenty of Stabil to whatever I had left in the tank and have never had any problems with 4-6 mo storage. On other boats where I had smaller tanks, I would add Stabil and fill completely for winter storage under the theory that would leave no room for condensation. 40 gallons just seems like too much to trailer around if you don't have to, so now I just stabilize whatever is left over.

Otter-BelleHavenMarina · Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 11:42 pm Post subject:

Same here -- when winter comes and I am not using the boat as much, I top off both tanks with fresh fuel with Sta-bil additive in the recommended proportion. Seems a lot easier than siphoning out the gas and getting rid of it.

Adeline · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 12:34 am Post subject:

Hi all, I agree that full tanks and Stabil is the way to go. I try to use Adeline @ least once-a-month year round or @ least run it on the hose. Full tanks WILL minimize condensation. However, the set-up I mentioned works well for draining fuel tanks. On recollection, I think I bought a primer bulb and a length of 5/16ths sufficient to accomodate the long run from the built-in tanks to a gas can. NOEL, Pete

dogon dory · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:19 am Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

Adeline · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:35 am Post subject:

That is a doggone good explanation. Merry Christmas all, Pete

Pat Anderson · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 9:32 am Post subject:

Yeah, we do full tanks with Stabil as well. In fact, we use Stabil all year round, in the minimum dose, and after the November or December cruise, it gets the double dose recommended for longer storage (although I DO expect to be out in January and February as well!). We also disconnect the fuel line from the engines and run the fuel out of the carbs.

I have a question here, maybe for Dusty - if you do run the tanks dry between fuelings, as you recommend, and you notice junk down in the bottom of the tank, how the heck do you deal with it?

Chuck S · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 10:14 am Post subject:

We run gasoline stabilizer all year round. I don't see any reason to "double" the mixture at any time, though. Something I missed in the instructions? Full tanks are the best way all the time.

After the season our tanks come off the boat and the gasoline is used, as needed, in the snowblower -- a lot of use this week! -- and in the Honda 3000is generator.

With fixed fuel tanks, as in our San Juan 28, just fill 'em full with stabilized gasoline and change the filters before winter layup.

-- Chuck

Larry H · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 11:44 am Post subject:

I have always pumped my tanks dry for storage. I made a pump unit using an electric fuel pump with hose and an intake fitting which is the same fitting that is on the motor (salvaged from a junk motor). I plug in the pump intake hose to the gas hose on the boat and pump into my van or into gas cans. All the gasoline pumped out of the boat goes thru the boats canister gas filter which catches the crud and water(if any). I change the filter prior to the next season.

If you empty your tanks and are worried about the remaining puddle turning to goo you could add stabilizer to one or two gallons in a gas can and then pour that into the empty tanks and run the motor to treat the carbs and then pump the rest out as explained above.

Larry H · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 11:48 am Post subject:

Chuck S

The stabilizer I use is a product sold by Johnson-Evinrude dealers called "2+4". The directions call for twice as much for storage (up to 6 months) as for use while boating.

Bluecrab · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 12:39 pm Post subject:

Concur with topping off tanks for the winter and using stabilizer. In addition to promoting condensation, excess air in the tank speeds up deterioration of the fuel. Colder temps in winter also should slow down deterioration.

The other big reason I don't drain the tanks is that I never know when I'll get a chance to sneak out for a quiet day of winter boating!

Thumbs Up

rogerbum · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 6:26 pm Post subject: Re: Unused gas in a 22' cruiser

Big Mac · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 9:12 pm Post subject: Fuel in tanks on the Mary Ellen

Thanks for all the replies on the fuel question. Several good options. It looks like Stabil is a hit with most of you. I like the idea of using a extra fuel squeeze ball to get the gas running into a can, will give it a try. Happy Boating, Big Mac.

Coastie Dory · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 11:30 pm Post subject:

I hate to bring news to the contrary, but there are new recommendations coming from both Honda and Mercury on fuel left in the tanks over the winter. I have been to both manufacturers service training in the last 6 weeks and both are recommending not burning fuel that has sat all winter. I have spent years recommending filling the tanks and using stabilizer and the new way will take some getting used to.

Fuel that sits looses it's octane over time and can result in insufficient octane to resist detonation. Fuel injected engines with knock sensors can usually protect themselves but not carbureted ones. The issue of condensation is answered with the water separating fuel filter we are all using (I hope). The Racor/Honda units are better than the Mercury ones as you can see and strip the water off without removing the element. Stabilizer and draining of the carburetors is still mandatory. Fuel blends are very much a regional thing and technicians from different parts of the country see variations on how long fuel stays good. Here in the midwest we use a lot of alcohol blends that have very poor shelf life. For the last few years I have been winterizing all engines with a pickle tank, that way I know what will be remaining in the engine. I recommend stabilizer year round unless you use the boat like you do your car.

Merry Christmas to all, Randy.