Fuel tank level for Winter storage?
09-12-2018, 07:54 PM
#3
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
09-12-2018, 07:57 PM
#4
Full tank of ethanol free gas.
Fresh oil change.
40 psi in the tires.
Wash.
Dry.
Battery Tender.
Cover.
Whether it's right or wrong, that's what I do with no consequences.
Fresh oil change.
40 psi in the tires.
Wash.
Dry.
Battery Tender.
Cover.
Whether it's right or wrong, that's what I do with no consequences.
09-12-2018, 08:25 PM
#6
Race Director
Because of a post on here where one of the top Corvette mechanics (or engineer?) suggested that by keeping the tank full and not driving the car for many months, it could cause sulfur to gum up the sending unit. If you keep the level below 1/4 tank, that unit is not covered in fuel so it won't get gummed up. Or you could do what I do with mine, keep the fuel level full in the winter time, but try to drive the car at least once every week or two, and top up with fresh fuel after each drive too. This keeps the fuel moving around so that it doesn't gum up the sending unit.
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09-12-2018, 08:28 PM
#7
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The oil counter will begin countdown to next oil change even while it sits, so depending on your Winter (length of storage) you could be at 60% or less when you start driving again. Like the Non-Ethanol hint since it, Ethanol, attracts moisture. There are almost as many opinions on this as members here! PS: Supposedly adding Techron or similar prevents the sulfur build-up, add just when filling up last time before storage so it will mix well.
Last edited by madrob2020; 09-12-2018 at 08:31 PM.
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09-12-2018, 08:28 PM
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C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
For winter storage, full tank E0 and overinflate the tires a little gets my vote.
09-12-2018, 08:41 PM
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Because of a post on here where one of the top Corvette mechanics (or engineer?) suggested that by keeping the tank full and not driving the car for many months, it could cause sulfur to gum up the sending unit. If you keep the level below 1/4 tank, that unit is not covered in fuel so it won't get gummed up. Or you could do what I do with mine, keep the fuel level full in the winter time, but try to drive the car at least once every week or two, and top up with fresh fuel after each drive too. This keeps the fuel moving around so that it doesn't gum up the sending unit.
09-12-2018, 09:01 PM
#10
I have always filled my tank full for winter storage, but read here it was bad for sending unit in tank. My 2016 is stored in heated garage, winters are long in Iowa. Typically don’t drive from Nov till April. And only after heavy rain washes all the salt off of the roads.
09-12-2018, 09:55 PM
#12
Race Director
Gees it's not even mid-Sept yet and already 'how to stow my C7 threads'.
Just put some gas in it, hook up a battery tender and call it a day.
I think some dream of things to worry about.
Just put some gas in it, hook up a battery tender and call it a day.
I think some dream of things to worry about.
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Avanti (09-12-2018)
09-13-2018, 04:44 AM
#16
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Paul Koerner, the renown Corvette mechanic stated at the Bash a couple years ago that it is best to only fill to 1/4 tank before storage. The sulfur issue around the sending unit is more of a serious issue, because of the repair expense, than moisture build up in the tank. So take that for what it is worth.
09-13-2018, 06:58 AM
#18
As others have said, get some Stabil. I use the marine grade formula.
That said, the “full tank vs. eighth tank” argument has been debated ad nausium. I like to keep mine low on fuel during the winter then put fresh gas in the car in the spring. I’ve done it with my boats for years, and if it doesn’t damage a boat, it certainly won’t damage a Corvette.
That said, the “full tank vs. eighth tank” argument has been debated ad nausium. I like to keep mine low on fuel during the winter then put fresh gas in the car in the spring. I’ve done it with my boats for years, and if it doesn’t damage a boat, it certainly won’t damage a Corvette.
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spinkick (09-13-2018)
09-13-2018, 07:06 AM
#19
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09-13-2018, 07:11 AM
#20
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Paul Koerner, the renown Corvette mechanic stated at the Bash a couple years ago that it is best to only fill to 1/4 tank before storage. The sulfur issue around the sending unit is more of a serious issue, because of the repair expense, than moisture build up in the tank. So take that for what it is worth.
1) to replace the fuel senders in a C7 requires dropping the fuel tanks. That requires dropping the rear drive train! Recall a poster being horrified when he saw his drivetrain on the garage floor at a dealer!
2) with the car sitting, no gas sloshing around so sulfur has a better chance of attaching itself "to it's buddy molecules" already on the sender!
3) although I don't have a storage issue as I drive the Vettte all year long I take a precaution and now use Techron a couple of times/year. Techron is concentrated "stuff" in some Top Tier fuel. It's made by Chevron who has the patents and some other gasoline suppliers pay them a royalty.
4) in my 2014 I was using the GM fuel additive as the part number was listed in the Owner's Manual and I could buy at a discount from Amazon. GM changed the part number and the Owner's Manual says see the dealer. No way am I paying the dealer price for what the SDS sheet for both looks the same! Same bottle shape with GM logo cost much more! Of interest one of the top benefits listed for both is "It Dissolves Sulfur From Fuel Senders! If you search the Forum you will see a post where a dealer used two containers of the GM stuff and fixed a fuel sender issue. Also were some used Techron and did the same. There are some where the dealer replaced the senders on warrantee (IMO the dealer gets a lot of money from GM for dropping your rear drivetrain etc and nothing for putting in some fuel additive! I would not want a dealer dropping my drive train and hoping it was put back correctly- even for FREE!)
Like I do in my Street Rod that mostly goes to Shows I would also use Stabil. In the Rod I add the proper amount every time I drive as I fill up after each Show trip. If that fuel sender fails I can drop the tank in under an hour and replace it!
Last edited by JerryU; 09-13-2018 at 07:22 AM.