can i keep my gas tank filled all winter

I have a bunch of gas engines I use in different applications. Those that had sta-bil did not develop varnish in their carburetors during long storage and those that had just plain gasoline did.

Both my sons run Sea Foam in their high performance cars. I had never heard of it before and although pricey, I bought some for my vehicles and shed equipment. I run my RV genny once a month so I am not as concerned about fuel sitting but adding a stabilizer can't hurt.

Ramble quoted the correct source. RED for Storage. I don't think he's on this forum, but I met "Joe from NC" on a few state park visits, and he was using RED every fillup. I asked, "Even when you're just going to drive all day?" And Joe said "Yep." I've started doing that. When I'm paying $100 to the card reader for the gas, why not another $5 for stabilizer. I never know when I'm going to get stuck not being able to use the RV. Let alone the GENERATOR!

I mention Joe because I coveted how well his ONAN MicroLite 4000 started and ran. That was when he told me about StaBil RED.

OP - I don't know what your storage site and plan are, but be sure you stabilized the gas that will remain IN your GenSet. The coach would probably be OK after sitting all winter on a full tank of non-stabilized fuel. GenSet? Almost assuredly NOT.

We have a few local gas stations, all GATE, I believe, that sell unleaded Regular. The real treat would be Marine ValvTect, Unleaded 89 with One-Year stabilizer. It runs our boat well, but it's on-water fuel and therefore expensive. I lug a can to the marina for our small engines and they mentioned that a good share of their business comes walking down the dock with cans.

jillhop wrote:
Is there any problem with using the green "marine" Stabil, or should one stick with the red "regular" formula? The marine one is quite a bit less expensive ...

The info from the GoldEagle Stabil FAQS reads as follows for Regular vs Marine Stabil:

"What is the difference between STA-BIl Fuel Stabilizer, Marine Formula STA-BIL, and the new STA-BIL Ethanol Treatment products?

STA-BIL® Fuel Stabilizer is designed for use during STORAGE of any gasoline equipment or vehicle stored for 30 days or more, or used infrequently. It will keep gas fresh for 12 months, and help prevent corrosion, and gum and varnish formation. It is effective in all gasolines, including Ethanol blends, including E-85.
Marine Formula STA-BIL® Ethanol Treatment was designed for use at every fill up for marine engines (boats, jetskis) to protect against the damaging effects experienced when using Ethanol blended fuels -- including corrosion caused by water attraction, and fuel system plugging caused by deposit loosening.
New STA-BIL Ethanol Treatment is designed for use at every fill up for all gasoline automotive and small engines for protection against these same problems."

I use the Red regular Stabil exclusively in our stored vehicles/generators. Recently used our Honda EU3000IS generator during a power outage with 8 month old Stabil preserved gas and it started right up and ran fine. I also drain the Honda gen carburetor after each use.

Many of you have seen this, but here was my E350 Fuel pump replacment project.

Ethanol destroys small engines like those found in marine engines small motors and motorcycles.It has an affinity for water as well. The green Sta-Bil remedies that from happening. The red stuff works well for bigger engines and you cant really over use it. make sure your tank and filler neck is full and run you engine long enough to fill your whole fuel system. Or find a station with out ethanol like mentioned above but good luck with that.

jillhop wrote:
Is there any problem with using the green "marine" Stabil, or should one stick with the red "regular" formula? The marine one is quite a bit less expensive ...

The marine formula is twice as potent as the normal stuff. I always use the marine formula.

Read the labels - you'll see where it takes x ounces of red stuff per 10 gallons, but that same x ounces of marine formula treats 20 gallons.

The marine formula is usually higher priced than the normal formula, but not by twice as much. As we also have a boat, it serves dual-duty.

Regarding the original topic - we always keep the tank full over winter so we have an emergency resource. I treat it, and ensure the treated fuel is run through both the engine & generator. I start each on a monthly basis - engine at the start of the month, and genny somewhere around the 15th. Both charge the batteries while running.

Every third or fourth month, I'll take the unit out of storage and go for a 5-10 mile run to circulate other fluids and warm up the tires a bit.

Two things can fill your tank, first gasoline, the second is air, which contains water vapor. When it gets colder, the air can not hold as much water vapor, so the water vapor turns into water, and mixes with the gas! Gas and water do not mix well, you get rust, corrosion, and gum, talk about gumming up the works! When not running, keep your tank as full as possible when in storage, this will limit the amount of water that can get into the system!

bukhrn wrote:

Valkyriebush wrote:
I always leave the tank full when stored. Long term, use stabil or seafoam for cheap added protection.

Yup, fill it, add 2 cans of SeaFoam.

What bukhrn says. Even better yet, is try to find a station with pure gas, no ethanol to fill it with before storage. Much less chance of water in fuel, and it stores better too

Valkyriebush wrote:
I always leave the tank full when stored. Long term, use stabil or seafoam for cheap added protection.

Yup, fill it, add 2 cans of SeaFoam.