gas tank too full?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,820
Likes: 485
From: Douglas County WI
gas tank too full?
So I filled the tanks up and have used about 3 gallons since then. The weather has gone to winter conditions here and I highly doubt I will put on enough miles to bring the tank down to half before the car is put to bed for the winter. So my question is how do I get stabil into both tanks ? Even if I siphon the tank, which I don't want to do, wouldn't that only empty the driver's side? Any suggestions/advice? Thanks in advance.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
I think you are "over thinking" this one. The Stabil you add is preventative--at best. Seriously, you could leave your tank full for months and not have a problem.
If you add Stabil and fill her up, the bulk will be in the drivers side and some will transfer over. Will it be an even distribution- no. Is it better an nothing-- yes.
If you add Stabil and fill her up, the bulk will be in the drivers side and some will transfer over. Will it be an even distribution- no. Is it better an nothing-- yes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 253
From: Oconomowoc Wisconsin
I see you live in Wisconsin. So do I. It is not the middle of October yet. Had temps in the low 70’s this past week. We do have a cold spell right now but the forecast is for mid 50’s next week. There should be plenty of time for you to take out the Corvette for some more drives and run the gas tank down.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,820
Likes: 485
From: Douglas County WI
I see you live in Wisconsin. So do I. It is not the middle of October yet. Had temps in the low 70’s this past week. We do have a cold spell right now but the forecast is for mid 50’s next week. There should be plenty of time for you to take out the Corvette for some more drives and run the gas tank down.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,607
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From: sylvania ohio
read a thread a couple weeks ago that said to keep tank no fuller than 1/4 when vehicle is going to just set for a while . that is to keep some sensor from being contaminated by sulpher in gas as i recall . person was apparently a highly regarded vette expert . tried to find thread for you but failed . we drive our vettes less than 250 miles a year and have always tried to run tanks low and put in fresh gas in october along with stabil additive . have done this for 13 years for one and 5 or 6 with other with no noticeable negative affects . trying to get them under 1/4 this year but having trouble doing so . . . .peace
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For the total of 17 years I owned C5s, I always put Sta-Bil in the tank and fill the car up when putting it in storage from Dec - Mar. Never experienced problems with the fuel sensors. That’s not saying others haven't had problems, just not me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
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From: Pittsburgh PA
As you can see there are different was of doing things. I do believe that everything you have heard will work for you. For me i make sure my tank is full before i feel that it will be sitting for awhile. I have never used sta-bil in my fuel, I have owned my car 21years. I do drive mine when ever possible during the winter. The roads must be clean and dry.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: New Madison Ohio
read a thread a couple weeks ago that said to keep tank no fuller than 1/4 when vehicle is going to just set for a while . that is to keep some sensor from being contaminated by sulpher in gas as i recall . person was apparently a highly regarded vette expert . tried to find thread for you but failed . we drive our vettes less than 250 miles a year and have always tried to run tanks low and put in fresh gas in october along with stabil additive . have done this for 13 years for one and 5 or 6 with other with no noticeable negative affects . trying to get them under 1/4 this year but having trouble doing so . . . .peace
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 755
Likes: 272
This thread is interesting because I’ve always been told to put any car into storage with a full tank, never 1/4 or less. Any excess space in the tank promotes the formation of moisture. Even the back of the Stabil bottle says to have no less then 3/4 of a tank. I always store mine with a full tank and a bottle of Stabil added. After I add the bottle, I run the car for about 10 minutes to circulate everything. That’s my preference as it has always worked well.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,820
Likes: 485
From: Douglas County WI
I have read the thread about leaving the tank at 1/4 or less. My right side fuel level sensor has been malfunctioning as of late and will probably need to be replaced. Techroned the hell out of it but no dice. Thanks for all the input. I think I will try to run the tank down a bit (weather permitting. Looking at highs in the lower 40s for the whole week and I have summer only tires) then add stabil, fill it up, and that will be it 'til spring.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 798
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
After owning 150 automobiles and 30 boats I always use the same procedure. Fill the tank with ethanol free marine gas. Keeping it full helps avoid getting condensation and moisture inside. Having no ethanol helps avoid separation problems. I don't use stabilizers unless it will be stored more than 4-5 months. I read other theories but this works for me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
I know this is one of those subjects... but take a look at this:
And check the following article that includes a video:
"Why You Should Store Your C5/C6/C7 Corvette With Just a Quarter Tank of Fuel"
STORAGE INFORMATION from Paul Koerner, GM Master Corvette Technician.
If you plan to store your C7 for longer than one month, Paul emphasizes the following points. Review your owner's manual for more storage recommendations (battery tender, etc.).
- Store newer Generation (4 through 7) with 1/4 tank of gas.
- Use fuel stabilizer if storing for longer than one month at a time.
- Change oil before storage
The reason for only storing with 1/4 tank of gas has to do with the location of the fuel sending unit. In the C7, the fuel sending units are half way up inside each of the two tanks. Sulfur in the gasoline can coat the fuel level sensors, causing the fuel gauge to become inoperative. The reason that this does not happen when you are regularly driving the car is that movement of the gas in the tanks keeps the contacts clear. In order to clean the contacts, use a 20 ounce bottle of
Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner
(Auto Zone, etc.).
The old reasons for storing with a full tank of gas no longer apply with the C7. The double sealed fuel filler neck and the charcoal canister on the other side of the tank prevent moisture build up from taking place.
If you plan to store your C7 for longer than one month, Paul emphasizes the following points. Review your owner's manual for more storage recommendations (battery tender, etc.).
- Store newer Generation (4 through 7) with 1/4 tank of gas.
- Use fuel stabilizer if storing for longer than one month at a time.
- Change oil before storage
The reason for only storing with 1/4 tank of gas has to do with the location of the fuel sending unit. In the C7, the fuel sending units are half way up inside each of the two tanks. Sulfur in the gasoline can coat the fuel level sensors, causing the fuel gauge to become inoperative. The reason that this does not happen when you are regularly driving the car is that movement of the gas in the tanks keeps the contacts clear. In order to clean the contacts, use a 20 ounce bottle of
Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner(Auto Zone, etc.).
The old reasons for storing with a full tank of gas no longer apply with the C7. The double sealed fuel filler neck and the charcoal canister on the other side of the tank prevent moisture build up from taking place.
And check the following article that includes a video:
"Why You Should Store Your C5/C6/C7 Corvette With Just a Quarter Tank of Fuel"
Last edited by GCG; Oct 13, 2019 at 03:35 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 16,106
Likes: 473
I've always stored my car with a full tank of Techron'd super unleaded, along with a bottle of Sta-Bil.
In the past 10 or so years, I've driven about 5k miles, maybe. It's probably more like high 3k's/low 4k's. I try not to think about it...as it's pathetic.
Just this year, I replaced sending units, pumps, and whatever the heck else was on the receipt. Not cheap, as mine's an '04, which is extra fun parts requirements.
Moral of the story: drive your damned car, or pay the piper later!
That's my $0.02.
(And I'm now back to driving it MUCH more often. Have put more miles in a few months than I have in several years. It's so good to be back at it.)
In the past 10 or so years, I've driven about 5k miles, maybe. It's probably more like high 3k's/low 4k's. I try not to think about it...as it's pathetic.
Just this year, I replaced sending units, pumps, and whatever the heck else was on the receipt. Not cheap, as mine's an '04, which is extra fun parts requirements.
Moral of the story: drive your damned car, or pay the piper later!
That's my $0.02.
(And I'm now back to driving it MUCH more often. Have put more miles in a few months than I have in several years. It's so good to be back at it.)
Last edited by SLO VETTE; Oct 13, 2019 at 11:24 PM.