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gas tank full or empty (winter storage)

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Old 11-02-2011, 06:39 PM
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gas tank full or empty (winter storage)

in the past ive filled up the tank with quality gas and fuel stabilizer and never had any issues.

any thoughts or opinions?
Old 11-02-2011, 07:31 PM
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Re: gas tank full or empty (winter storage)

Bump.. I have never stored a car. Hope you get some input.
Old 11-02-2011, 08:51 PM
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Re: gas tank full or empty (winter storage)

I've stored a motorcycle, and I've always done it with the tank full w/stabilizer. From what I've read, it sounds like exposure to the air will cause corrosion. Yeah, fuel will absorb water, but it's the exposure to the oxygen in the air that causes the oxidation.

Frankly, with newer fuels, I doubt you would have a problem with water absorption, but that is an uneducated assumption and for full disclosure I use a stabilizer in my stored fuel.
Old 11-02-2011, 09:00 PM
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Re: gas tank full or empty (winter storage)

Flush and properly fill the coolant.

Fuel tank full with Sta-Bil. I have also successfully run the tank nearly empty with the proper dose of Sta-Bil as well, although that is not the optimal way IMHO.

Run the car a while after you treat the gas to fill the lines with the treatment and to make sure the coolant is thoroughly mixed.

Change the oil immediately before the car goes into storage. Do not start the engine again until the car is ready to be driven.

Baking pan on passenger floorboard to catch any heater core leak.

RV dryer chemical in the center of the car to prevent condensation buildup.

I have stored many cars indoors and out and have never had an issue. Best of luck!
Old 11-02-2011, 10:29 PM
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Re: gas tank full or empty (winter storage)

if your storing it 4 just the winter fill it up.
You dont need to put anything in the gas unless your storing it for well over a year. Gas lasts for almost 2yrs b4 it goes bad, generally
Old 11-03-2011, 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by TTOP350
You dont need to put anything in the gas unless your storing it for well over a year. Gas lasts for almost 2yrs b4 it goes bad, generally
More like 2 months.

Use a stabilizer.
Old 11-03-2011, 04:00 PM
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Re: gas tank full or empty (winter storage)

Originally Posted by TTOP350
Gas lasts for almost 2yrs b4 it goes bad, generally
What are you basing this on? If a car is not stored under temperature control the fuel starts to absorb water from condensation almost immediately.
Old 11-03-2011, 05:24 PM
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Re: gas tank full or empty (winter storage)

i guess ill just keep doin what ive been doin for years. park it with full tank of gas with stabilizer. stabilizer is only a few bucks and i dont trust that gas lasts much longer then a few months.

as far as oil changes, ive always parked it with nothing but clean oil. the motor has almost 200,000kms on it and has never went past 5000kms between changes. when i first bought the car it was on warranty so i was required to change before i park it and when i pull it out of storage i must change it the week of or something. after my warranty expired i just drove it about 4000kms and changed it. it doesnt use oil and its alway clean.

thanks for all the input!!
Old 11-03-2011, 05:26 PM
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Re: gas tank full or empty (winter storage)

Originally Posted by TTOP350
if your storing it 4 just the winter fill it up.
You dont need to put anything in the gas unless your storing it for well over a year. Gas lasts for almost 2yrs b4 it goes bad, generally
if i had gas in my tank for more then 2 years i would not even run the car with that gas.
Old 11-03-2011, 08:23 PM
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Re: gas tank full or empty (winter storage)

I based it on many conversations I had with a few wholesale fuel salesmen and a show on history or discovery channel(?) where they talked to the fuel companys about how its refined and how long it lasts. Very good info strait from the horses mouth so to speak.
Fill your tank and make sure it is as airtight as can be.
You do know the fuel get from the pump can sometimes be 2-4months old dont you????
Your fuel will last well more than 2 years if its in a garage and climate controlled. My car sat inside for 4years with a full tank, it ran just fine, fuel smelled fine, Im sure it wasn't perfect but it ran fine even with 11.5-1 compression.
Now if you leave 3gallons in your tank, let it sit outside while temps go hot to cold an cold to hot, your in trouble waaay faster, condensation will invade your tank and if left unchecked will cause probs. If you have to let it sit outside, fill it up!

Use stabil if it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I don't or won't for just 3-5 months of winter. My cars are warm and inside tho.

Im guessing most of you bleed/change or put stabilzer in your brake fluid every spring/winter too since it soaks up moisture as fast or faster than fuel...

Last edited by TTOP350; 11-04-2011 at 06:50 AM.
Old 11-03-2011, 11:22 PM
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Re: gas tank full or empty (winter storage)

Hello All!!

Just for the record, I stored my 87 IROC in my unheated garage for 6 years or so with the same full tank of gas, I dropped in a new battery, started like it was brand new (like it always does), took it for a drive to warm it up, and then did my emissions test with the same 6 year old gas, and I passed!!



The best insurance it to make sure that the gas tank is full, no air = no oxidation/condensation which just kills the gas!!

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