Even though I've been in the harbor, I've not run my 1990 Carver Mariner 3257 much last summer or this one. I filled the tank at the end of the 2012 season and put fuel stabilizer in for the winter. With the same gas in, I added fuel stabilizer at the end of the 2013 summer. I just put in new fuel filters and am about to put it away for the winter with more fuel stabilizer. I'm getting concerned about old gas. Weather is not so good in Chicago to burn it off, at least for this weekend. Should I add stabilizer to gas that old, wait to burn it off, or can it be safely and economically removed?
Old Gas
- Thread starter LuBell
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 2006
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- 359
Sounds like you’re about to TRIPLE dose the 2012 fuel with stabilizer. What does your stabilizer bottle say?
So what you're telling us is you have used more beer than gas. 
I'm in the same boat. Haven't gotten much use, maybe 1/3 of a tank last year. Added no fresh fuel this year. I add the stabilizer each year -- bottle says it's good for a year.
In the spring, go slow and try burning as much as possible and start adding fresh gas. I have been working on a concoction of old/new fuel for several years and haven't had a problem yet.
I'm in the same boat. Haven't gotten much use, maybe 1/3 of a tank last year. Added no fresh fuel this year. I add the stabilizer each year -- bottle says it's good for a year.
In the spring, go slow and try burning as much as possible and start adding fresh gas. I have been working on a concoction of old/new fuel for several years and haven't had a problem yet.
If you can possibly work it in this late, you would be very well served to take one last full day excursion and use up as much of the ancient fuel as you can then add stabilizer before full refueling. That may minimize chances of phase separation as water content gradually increases.
That's kind of sad you weren't able to use a tank of gas since about this time 2 years ago and the boat has been in the water all(?) season this year and you knew it was old gas, albeit stabilized to some effect. Additives aren't fresh gas and do not re-freshen gas. It's a shame you waited until now to be concerned .
That's kind of sad you weren't able to use a tank of gas since about this time 2 years ago and the boat has been in the water all(?) season this year and you knew it was old gas, albeit stabilized to some effect. Additives aren't fresh gas and do not re-freshen gas. It's a shame you waited until now to be concerned .
To a more or less degree many of us are in the same "boat"
One important consideration is whether or nor the fuel is laced with ethanol. I would not be too concerned if there is no ethanol in the fuel.
I do not fill my tanks anymore since we were forced to use ethanol. Even so I did put too much fuel in my boat this spring and did not use it enough for my taste. I have typically left the tanks 1/4 full since ethanol was mandatory, used to fill for storage.
Another consideration is whether or not the fuel has been stabilized and treated with "ValveTect". I was disappointed to find that my fuel was not treated with ValveTect but apparently the blender used something else. I added a lot of stabilizer and crossed my fingers.
My mechanic tells me it costs $10/gal to pump out bad fuel.
We boaters have been abused by the EPA and we need to let them know at the ballot box and elsewhere.
I also seem to have troubles with chain saws, etc, since the engines have been modified to be "clean".
One important consideration is whether or nor the fuel is laced with ethanol. I would not be too concerned if there is no ethanol in the fuel.
I do not fill my tanks anymore since we were forced to use ethanol. Even so I did put too much fuel in my boat this spring and did not use it enough for my taste. I have typically left the tanks 1/4 full since ethanol was mandatory, used to fill for storage.
Another consideration is whether or not the fuel has been stabilized and treated with "ValveTect". I was disappointed to find that my fuel was not treated with ValveTect but apparently the blender used something else. I added a lot of stabilizer and crossed my fingers.
My mechanic tells me it costs $10/gal to pump out bad fuel.
We boaters have been abused by the EPA and we need to let them know at the ballot box and elsewhere.
I also seem to have troubles with chain saws, etc, since the engines have been modified to be "clean".
I use the stabilizer, wait till spring, then start using the old gas in my car. I use 1 part old gas to 3 parts fresh gas and the car (4Runner) has never burped on it - never have felt any difference.
If it's $10/gal to have it pumped out, wouldn't it be more cost effective to buy your own pump and do it yourself ??.....or is there a law against that, too ?? Lars.
If it's $10/gal to have it pumped out, wouldn't it be more cost effective to buy your own pump and do it yourself ??.....or is there a law against that, too ?? Lars.
biglar,
Most of the cost is the disposal not the pumpout. If you have a small quantity some recycle centers periodically accept it.
If it is already causing problems with the boat engine, I am reluctant to put it in a newer car and most of the other engines like lawn mowers are now green and very sensitive.
Of course sometimes ethanol laced fuel won't run in anything if it has gone bad.
Most of the cost is the disposal not the pumpout. If you have a small quantity some recycle centers periodically accept it.
If it is already causing problems with the boat engine, I am reluctant to put it in a newer car and most of the other engines like lawn mowers are now green and very sensitive.
Of course sometimes ethanol laced fuel won't run in anything if it has gone bad.
If any have used a siphon hose, you surely know what a mouthful of gas tastes like and diesel is even worse.
I found "shaker siphons" years ago and will never go back. Simple, rugged, last forever. Take a look - http://jbtoolsales.com/hopkins-1080...uTx-ArWuPDm-WA1imdy7FNy68rmUjIN_M8aAmWT8P8HAQ
Another possible more expensive siphon pump available from Walmart at least on the Internet.
Moeller Flo N' Go Maxflo Fuel Siphon Pump
Safely Pump Gas in Either Direction by Hand
Handle Pump Control Allows for Auto Shut-off and Restarts
Flow Rate of Over 2 Gallon per Minute
Moeller Flo N' Go Maxflo Fuel Siphon Pump
Safely Pump Gas in Either Direction by Hand
Handle Pump Control Allows for Auto Shut-off and Restarts
Flow Rate of Over 2 Gallon per Minute
Thanks everybody for weighing in on my concern. I was not able to drive the boat because of problems with my eyes that led to surgery. I spent great times in the harbor nontheless. What I finally did was waited and caught a couple of good days here in Chicago and ran the tank down to less than one-fourth. I then filled up, added stabilizer, and ran it down the river to storage. I am appreciative of your input and entertained by the crackin'. Have a great and patient winter.