Storing/Fuel Question
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Chicago Illinois
Storing/Fuel Question
Hey everyone!
Since for a lot of us, winter is around the corner
we like to make sure our toys are tucked away nice and warm for the cold months 
I wanted to see what the best way to minimize gas going bad, water in the tank, anything that's going to harm my Z06 when it sits for a couple months. I usually fill the tank up little over half with v power i normally use so it doesnt freeze or anything, but im just worried about when its time to start it up, what that gas thats been sitting in there is doing to it. When it comes out i usually put Red Line Fuel System Cleaning in the tank. The car usually doesn't get started until spring when it comes out because I keep my Optima battery inside on the charger. Ill clean her up real nice, sometimes put fresh oil in it, check everything, then its off to a deep sleep, unless I put it on jackstands and clean it up some more.
All input in much appreciated so thanks everyone!!
Since for a lot of us, winter is around the corner
we like to make sure our toys are tucked away nice and warm for the cold months I wanted to see what the best way to minimize gas going bad, water in the tank, anything that's going to harm my Z06 when it sits for a couple months. I usually fill the tank up little over half with v power i normally use so it doesnt freeze or anything, but im just worried about when its time to start it up, what that gas thats been sitting in there is doing to it. When it comes out i usually put Red Line Fuel System Cleaning in the tank. The car usually doesn't get started until spring when it comes out because I keep my Optima battery inside on the charger. Ill clean her up real nice, sometimes put fresh oil in it, check everything, then its off to a deep sleep, unless I put it on jackstands and clean it up some more. All input in much appreciated so thanks everyone!!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
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first, today's fuels don't need stabilizer for the short storage period of a winter, but it won't hurt and products like sta-bil actually do have a cleaner element in them. the key is to fill the tank all the way to the top to reduce the area that condensation could form. with the tanks less than full, the unfilled area is prone to the creation of condensation and will continue to produce water with changing temperatures. it is also important to insulate the tires from the concrete floor with something like pieces of old carpeting.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
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Fresh tank of 91 CHEVRON or SHELL and the recommended amount of STA-BIL for six months of winter hibernation here. A BATTERY TENDER PLUS is connected to the battery. I don't start mine to (just) let it idle during the winter months. If weather is good, I'll take it out for a few miles to circulate the fluids.
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I do the following when I store my car for the winter:
- change the oil just before storage
- put in bottle of Sta-Bil and fill tank. I would recommend waiting to fill tank until you get at about 1/4 tank or a bit less so the Sta-Bil gets into both tanks and then run it bit to distribute it trough the fuel system.
- change the oil just before storage
- put in bottle of Sta-Bil and fill tank. I would recommend waiting to fill tank until you get at about 1/4 tank or a bit less so the Sta-Bil gets into both tanks and then run it bit to distribute it trough the fuel system.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: ABQ NM
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When I used to store mine in the winter (IL too) I would fill it up (air space in the tank could lead to potential condensation). Would wait for about an 1/8 tank of gas, then drove over to the gas station, added STA-BIL, and also HEET (they have two types - you want the isopropyl one), then filled it up. Short drive home, but enough to ensure (hopefully) that all the magic elixirs had circulated completely. My understanding, and the reason I added the HEET, was that this variety (but not the other, slightly less expensive version) would absorb any water that was present. Of course, battery tender to maintain the life of battery. Never had a problem come spring starting it up. Then go for a nice long drive, add some fresh fuel, and enjoy. Good luck
Last edited by wamara; Oct 11, 2011 at 01:01 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: . New York
I dont actualy store it, but it sits for long periods due to snow and salt on the roads. If we get a long period of clear weather and some rain to wash the salt away I use it even if its cold out. So it just sits, on a Ctek tender with a full tank and it starts and runs fine whenever I get back to using it in the spring. Ive geard gas looses about 1 octane a month during storage...so four months is still a little better than regular 87 gas.
If I thought about it, I would probably add sea foam to the tank (its also a stabilizer). BTW, if you are concerned about adding stuff so it mixes in the two tanks, you can add it to a half tank or lower, it will mix the same as 1/4 or 1/8, anything less than half and it mixes.
If I thought about it, I would probably add sea foam to the tank (its also a stabilizer). BTW, if you are concerned about adding stuff so it mixes in the two tanks, you can add it to a half tank or lower, it will mix the same as 1/4 or 1/8, anything less than half and it mixes.
