Storing with gas in tank, for a year or more?

[Naio]

Hi folks, I'd like your advice!

I probably won't be driving my van in the next 12 months.

It has a full gas tank, regular gas. It's up on leveling blocks and I would like to keep it that way, because it was level when it was loaded for travel and I have since unloaded it. I want to build some cabinets in there and I want to maintain my sense of what is level when loaded.

I have some startron, and possibly also some seafoam. I didn't add anything when I filled the tank. If I add some now, and leave the engine running for half an hour or so, will that mix the startron in well enough? Or is it going to eat a hole in my gas fill tube or something?

[JoeH]

I'd put in Marine Stabil --- more expensive but works. I don't like to leave things sit, but I just started my outboard boat (carburated) that sat for 2 years with a full tank of gas treated with marine stabil. Started up and after a few minutes was running fine.

[pianotuna]

ndrorder wrote:
Another vote for seafoam here. Have never found premium gas to be any more stable than regular. Whether diluted in a gallon of gas or not, the seafoam will mix through diffusion in a day or 2. After a couple days idle the van or take a short drive.

Van is up on blocks for storage.

[TurnThePage]

I've used Stabil for years with no problems, sometimes going several years before starting a small engine. I'm sure Seafoam would be comparable. However, I also ONLY use non-ethanol fuel for long term storage.

[ndrorder]

Another vote for seafoam here. Have never found premium gas to be any more stable than regular. Whether diluted in a gallon of gas or not, the seafoam will mix through diffusion in a day or 2. After a couple days idle the van or take a short drive.

[philh]

pure gas with marine grade stabil. It's expensive and worth every penny.

[KD4UPL]

I use Stabil in my boat gas tank. It sits over the winter from last September to about May. I've never had any problems with the gas in the spring. But, I always use ethanol free gas.

[wopachop]

Oh man i love Startron for gasoline (especially gas with ethanol). Archoil for diesel. If you dont have a fuel jug a regular water bottle will hold gasoline for years and not leak. I would get a gallon of fresh gas and mix up your starTron concentration for whatever size tank you have. Then just rock the van back and forth. It will mix.

What state did you buy the gas in? Maybe youre lucky and have non ethanol gas.

Curious to learn more about what the gentleman said regarding engine temps and evaporating moisture. Of course the differentials will stay cold. But wont the motor oil itself get to operating temps and boil off the water?

Its the reason you never want to buy a used car from someone who says "barely use the car i work 5 mins away from home".

[RAS43]

jdc1 wrote:
Seafoam? For a gas stabilizer? Hmmmm.....

It states so on the can that it stabilizes fuel for up to 2 years. I have not gone that far but have gone a year on my generator without any problems.

[pianotuna]

jdc1,

I tried stabil. It did not work well in my generator. The next year I tried seafoam. It worked well. I only use premium gas in the generator.

I've used seafoam for 2 years in my car, for a 4 month storage period. I switch to premium gas for the last two fill ups.

I use seafoam for summer and winter storage for the motorhome (class c v10 from 2005). I switch to premium for the last two fills.

Seafoam did not work well in my generator for an 18 month storage. I had to add some gas treatment to clear out the old fuel.

My brother has also switched to seafoam from stabil. His vehicles are stored for up to ten months per year.

This is not proof. It is anecdotal.

[gbopp]

I've been using Sea Foam as a gas stabilizer in my small engines for years with no problems.
They always start easily in the spring/winter.

[jdc1]

Seafoam? For a gas stabilizer? Hmmmm.....

[pianotuna]

How far was it driven after being filled?

Perhaps there is room to add some small amount of gas? (premium preferred).

If so, get some seafoam, put the appropriate amount in the tank, and pour in the premium fuel to "wash it down into the tank".

It would be a good idea to run the engine for some time the next day after the treatment has had time to mix.

I find seafoam better than stabil.

[RLS7201]

Running you engine every month without driving the van is a really bad idea. The engine and oil will not get hot enough to boil the contaminants out of the oil.

Richard

[midnightsadie]

I,d put stabil in it and run for a half hour or so. if possible run it every month for a half hour. the viberation might mix it .

[Lwiddis]

I wouldn’t store gasoline in a vehicle for a year with or without any stabilizer. “If you’re asking for trouble, Pilgrim, you’ll likely get trouble.”