Need Fuel Stabilizer Advice

[jason78]

I filled my tank up in April of this year with 87 Octane Non-Ethanol. Unfortunately, I didn't get to use it much this summer and still have about 25 gallons left from that fill up. Never been in a situation where I did not recently add new gas before storing for the winter. What kind of stabilizer is recommended to get this fuel through until next Spring? Planning to get the carb cleaned and serviced over the off season so don't want to do that and have old fuel dirty the carb right back up again when I crank her up in the Spring. Running a 98 Carb'd 200XL Offshore. Any advice appreciated! Jason

[snapshotmd]

There are lots that you could use, but I like Starbrite Startron.

[06 SB]

The gas may already be bad. I would just drain it. Then add fresh gas with stabilizer and I would use Quickstore.

[EuropeanAM]

I would not use that fuel. Stabilize an external/separate fuel tank, connect it directly to the engine, and run long enough to get that new/stabilized fuel through the system. Hopefully you do not already have problems in the fuel system (today's fuels begin to degrade 15 days after purchase without proper treatment).

Drain the fuel tank completely (siphon method). Then start with a FRESH load of fuel when you intend to put the boat back into service.

[jason78]

Thanks for the information guys! Do you have a recommended portable tank I should use? Would probably need at least 6 or so gallons for a decent run on the new gas.

Should I get a new fuel line and primer for the portable tank or just connect the line from the fuel tank directly to the back of my existing primer bulb? Any recommended quick disconnects that can be integrated to make this easier in the future? Also, what should I use to treat the gas in the temporary tank before running it? Just stabilizer or any cleaner too? Thanks!

[SoonerFan]

I have made it the habit to use a stabilizer, either Quickstore or Sta-Bil every time I add gas. I also never add more fuel than I think I can use in a month or two.

[jason78]

I have made it the habit to use a stabilizer, either Quickstore or Sta-Bil every time I add gas. I also never add more fuel than I think I can use in a month or two.

Yes, probably good advice. Unfortunately non-ethanol gas is hard to find around here and I avoid E-10 in boats completely regardless of treatments. I usually get much more boating in so normally this would not be a problem for me. It does bring up good information for winter storage though.

[jason78]

OK, I have a 5/16" hose from outboard to the bulb, 3/8" from bulb to Water Separator Filter and 3/8 from filter to tank. The bulb is very close to the flexible tube that carries all the hoses, cables and lines from the boat in to the bilge. Can I place a quick disconnect in the fuel line between the bulb and outboard, then get a tank with another primer bulb assembly and quick disconnect and connect at that location to the remote tank? Thanks!

Looking at Attwood Tank https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BDQLCMA...=ICZEGMFQM3K25

[EuropeanAM]

That is an EPA-rated tank, and requires a FDV (fuel demand valve) when used with your engine. Very important (without it, the engine may flood due to pressure buildup in the tank).

[jason78]

Thanks for the advice Don! Any advice on how to make the connection to the outboard? I'm having trouble finding any quick connect fittings. Thanks!

[SilverFox579]

Yes, probably good advice. Unfortunately non-ethanol gas is hard to find around here and I avoid E-10 in boats completely regardless of treatments. I usually get much more boating in so normally this would not be a problem for me. It does bring up good information for winter storage though.

You need stabilizer with all fuel, ethanol and non-ethanol alike. Octane degradation occurs with either one and that's the reason stabilizer is recommended every time you refuel.

[EuropeanAM]

+1

In YOUR case, for YOUR purposes, you could simply plumb from the tank to you existing primer bulb.

You've also got a PM.

[jason78]

All of the portable tanks I have found so far have a 1/4" pickup tube. If I'm supposed to have 3/8" line from tank to primer bulb, I think I might end up with a fuel starvation issue on my hands. Any ideas? Looking at the Mercury tank I posted above and several Scepter/Moeller tanks available from West Marine.

[EuropeanAM]

1/4" NPT is the normal THREAD side on a portable tank. Pickup tube is very likely a larger ID than you are thinking...

[blisteringthewatter]

I would do as Don recommended and run some stabilizer with fresh gas pump tank into cans and do not use in your outboard , you can ad a little at a time to your truck and mower if it is premix or straight. Always keep some form of stabilizer in your boat and it can be sea foam or any other .Even with sea foam or any other I would not let sit more than two months and burn it in an outboard , get a cheap electric pump and keep for this occasion.

[jason78]

Thanks for the advice guys! I got a fuel pump for Christmas so I'm good to go there, just need to figure out what to do with the aged gas. Not sure about adding it to my truck. Might try that route though. Its not pre-mixed so I'm good to go. Lots of lessons learned here. I normally don't have this length of time not using the boat so this layup period is new for me. I'll be using stabilizer and cleaner from now on.