billylee61
United States
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I live in central indiand. when i stored my v-10 winnebago in december in my driveway, covered with a fabric rv cover, i filled the tank with gas before storage. i did not put stabilizer in tank. should i put stabilizer in tank before my first trip in april. if so, what kind and how much foe 70 gal. thanks
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ua40j
Fredericksburg VA
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Instead of fuel stabilizer, I might suggest a fuel cleaner. Since your fuel is 4 months old in a full tank, you shouldn't have water in the fuel or algae, but you might have some varnish or other kind of dirt.
Fuel stablizer would prevent some of that and extend the life of the gas, but I don't think it repairs what already has happened.
Me, personally, I wouldn't even worry about the fuel unless there there were indications that water had gotten in the fuel, or there was less than a full tank or my generator had problems when I ran it or it was longer than 6 months.
Jim
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Capt Rick
Key Largo, Florida
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The big problem with storing gas today is the ethanol in it. The water-attracting properties of ethanol make it impossible to store E-10 gasoline for very long; mechanics say it remains stable for 60 to 90 days, and then only under ideal storage conditions. Information provided by Maine Coast Petroleum, which serves customers on Matinicus Island including the power company, and which was provided to them by Irving Oil, indicates a shelf-life of about 60 days before Phase Seperation can become a problem. I've had my motor home stored for about 3 months now and I'm getting worried. As far as I know there is no additive that deals with this problem. I've noticed in my area that some of the service stations are now offering a choice of non ethanol gas which the next time I store the MH I will use it and add an additive.
Capt. Rick and JoAnn
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PackerBacker
Home is Montreal Qc & Seasonal is NY Adirondacks
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You shouldn't have any problems after just 4-5 months. Actually the manual for my Onan 5500 genny uses 4 months as their cut-off for storage without using a fuel stabilizer.
I use Sta-Bil for any long storage period of gas in the motorhome (which include the Onan genny) and for my portable Honda 2000 genny. I use a 32-oz bottle for my 75-gallon tank.
If you put stabilizer in now, you really should run the motor and drive the motorhome to mix it well in; also run the genny for 30 minutes or so after the stabilizer is mixed in.
Eric
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bsinmich
Holland, MI
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I would use the fuel without hesitation for the motor but since the generators are always a little more sensitive I would avoid generator use until the tank had been refilled.
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, 2008 Saturn Vue, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake
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CREATO
Beautiful Harvey N.D.
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Hit it with 2 bottles of Seafoam take it for a 15 minute drive with genny running
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SRT
Head of the Lakes, MN
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CREATO wrote:Hit it with 2 bottles of Seafoam take it for a 15 minute drive with genny running
Yup! Always use a fuel stabilizer when putting the MH away for the winter. I fill up 12 mi. away. Run the generator on the way home. Drive right into the garage, drop the jacks, plug it in, and put the trickle charger on the starting battery (already checked and topped off the house batteries).
* This post was
edited 03/08/10 07:11am by SRT *
SRT
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bill h
coastal reconquista
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I use RedLine fuel system cleaner for extreme situations and Seafoam for normal maintenance.
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John&Joey
Northern MN
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Seafoam for me also. One can per 20 gallons. I would do it as soon as possible. Even if you can't start the engine now, it will help in the spring.
Sta-bil will be cheaper for that amount of gas $10 vs $25 though, so it's up to you. I like Seafoam because I can always tell a difference in the engine. Fuel injectors sprays are restored and the engine just runs smoother.
Four of five months of ethanol gas will gum up. I had it happen to our Saturn SC2. After a can or Seafoam, and 15 minutes of attempted starts, then an overnight sit, it started up (barely) the next morning. 10 miles later it was humming along again.
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