Winter Storage Question: Fill gas tank or leave empty??
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 673
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From: Addison IL
Winter Storage Question: Fill gas tank or leave empty??
In the past, I have always filled my gas tank prior to storage. I did it because it seemed to be common practice to avoid condensation, but after thinking about it some more I am not sure it makes sense. Is there really a need to do this since our cars do not have metal gas tanks?
My Z is currently all prepped for storage (washed, Zainoed, new oil,etc..) but the tank is bone dry. I never got a chance to go fill it up before we got hit with some bad weather. The streets were prematurely salted a few days ago due to some snow flurries and I'd rather not take the car out again.
My Z is currently all prepped for storage (washed, Zainoed, new oil,etc..) but the tank is bone dry. I never got a chance to go fill it up before we got hit with some bad weather. The streets were prematurely salted a few days ago due to some snow flurries and I'd rather not take the car out again.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 8
From: Southwest Virginia
I would filler up and add some StaBil Fuel Stabilizer. 
I don't think the plastic tanks will make much difference since you still have the pump, screens, and sender in there to worry about. If it was in fact "bone" dry I would say leave it empty, but unless you have had the tanks off you probably still at least a gallon of fuel in there. And a small amount of fuel is going to dry up and get messy quicker than a full tank. I don't think the condensation factor is as big in new car as it was in the old days. These cars in "theory" have a sealed fuel system and they "should" stay under pressure so they "shouldn't" draw moisture. But that is all in theory. I'm sure they are better than in the old days. I would worry more about that small about of gas drying up and causing a mess more than I would worry about condensation. If nothing else just buy you as large 5 gallon can and make 4 trips to the station. That would be much easier than cleaning the car again! If you go that route I would put a little StaBil in the can each time before you put the gas in the can. Be sure to run the car a little afterwards also to be sure it get worked up through the system.
I don't think the plastic tanks will make much difference since you still have the pump, screens, and sender in there to worry about. If it was in fact "bone" dry I would say leave it empty, but unless you have had the tanks off you probably still at least a gallon of fuel in there. And a small amount of fuel is going to dry up and get messy quicker than a full tank. I don't think the condensation factor is as big in new car as it was in the old days. These cars in "theory" have a sealed fuel system and they "should" stay under pressure so they "shouldn't" draw moisture. But that is all in theory. I'm sure they are better than in the old days. I would worry more about that small about of gas drying up and causing a mess more than I would worry about condensation. If nothing else just buy you as large 5 gallon can and make 4 trips to the station. That would be much easier than cleaning the car again! If you go that route I would put a little StaBil in the can each time before you put the gas in the can. Be sure to run the car a little afterwards also to be sure it get worked up through the system.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
You want to put a gasoline stabilizer (Stabil) in it, fill it to the brim and run it for 5 minutes to get the Stabil into the injectors.
The more full , the less opportunity for condensation to form and get both water into the gas and corrode metallic parts of the system.
If you are worried about fouling the sending unit, just till it with a top tier gasoline www.toptiergas.com
or also add a bottle of Techron or Berryman Chemtool B-12
The more full , the less opportunity for condensation to form and get both water into the gas and corrode metallic parts of the system.
If you are worried about fouling the sending unit, just till it with a top tier gasoline www.toptiergas.com
or also add a bottle of Techron or Berryman Chemtool B-12
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Originally Posted by SpeedyZ
I would filler up and add some StaBil Fuel Stabilizer. .
.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,786
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
The weatherproof Batter tender JR from Beltran works awesome for me. It gets covered in snow and works fine, I am on my second winter with the tender and I love it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 4
I believe you may want to run it longer than 5 minutes. You fill the left tank with clean fuel but the right tank is actively pumped to the left so it may take a little more than 5 minutes to completely mix the Stabil in both tanks. Go zoom around for one last blast and really mix her up good.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by Bob Chapman
Almost right - Winter storage = bad news for the vette owner/driver.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by rws.1
You want to put a gasoline stabilizer (Stabil) in it, fill it to the brim and run it for 5 minutes to get the Stabil into the injectors.
The more full , the less opportunity for condensation to form and get both water into the gas and corrode metallic parts of the system.
If you are worried about fouling the sending unit, just till it with a top tier gasoline www.toptiergas.com
or also add a bottle of Techron or Berryman Chemtool B-12
The more full , the less opportunity for condensation to form and get both water into the gas and corrode metallic parts of the system.
If you are worried about fouling the sending unit, just till it with a top tier gasoline www.toptiergas.com
or also add a bottle of Techron or Berryman Chemtool B-12
