Why store with a full tank of fuel?

[Jimmy N.]

I...so I wouldn't think topping it up is needed unless you guys worry about condensation some how? I'd wonder if the fuel is still any good after storage for 5 or 6 months? .

I have yet to find any condensation in any tanks here, including metal storage tanks that are exposed to the sun. Going on three years with gas for the vehicles that get fueled up at home.

The greatest contributor to condensation...is variable temperatures...

Yeah, that would be logical, but...we often have 50 degree differences between the low and high temp in a day, and tanks in the sun would be subjected to a bigger difference.

If there's little to practically no humidity where would the condensation come from?

 

[1971demon]

I have yet to find any condensation in any tanks here, including metal storage tanks that are exposed to the sun. Going on three years with gas for the vehicles that get fueled up at home.



Yeah, that would be logical, but...we often have 50 degree differences between the low and high temp in a day, and tanks in the sun would be subjected to a bigger difference.

If there's little to practically no humidity where would the condensation come from?

New Jersey

 

[vortecd]

Like I said before, I'm not running my car at the track with gas that has been in the tank for 5 months. I still don't 100% know if leaving e85 in the car is ok. But for me putting 5 gallons of 93 in it for the winter and draining it out to switch to e85 works fine. By the time I drive my car to storage and drive it back in the spring may be 3-4 gallons left. I then use that gas in my lawn mower for the year which I don't even go through all of it

 

[2ndAmend]

Ok, let's look at what condensation is all about. Assume your tank is 1/2 full, Jimmy living in the high desert has 1/2 tank of dry air. As long as he doesn't open his cap, he will have no condensation.

Those guys living the the swamps will have 1/2 tank of 95%RH. They will experience condensation on cool nights. I could do the calculations if necessary.

As long as your tank is not untreated steel, no prob. The water will be sucked up and passed through like TexMex. I would suggest not doing 6krpm WOT.

Ethanol (dry gas) will absorb the H2O so you won't have droplets in the bottom of the tank.

Aircraft, on the other hand, are special. Sucking water and causing a loss of power can be very bad....

 

[MJS73]

Plus, isn't the extra weight on the rear tires going to cause them to flat-spot faster?

 

[jroyk]

Plus, isn't the extra weight on the rear tires going to cause them to flat-spot faster?

I’ve always inflated them to near the sidewall maximum psi and never had that problem. Just have to remember to bleed off the extra pressure in the spring.

 

[DGatzby]

QuickJack it and remove them.

 

[Spoolin]

I did put some Stabil in the tank last 93 fill up - but I typically only keep 1/2 tank in the car as I never know when I'll wanna go from 93 to E85 or back again.

I think the biggest thing is to at least have some fuel stabilizer in the tank before storing, not necessarily having a full tank. My last fill up of the year always has Stabil in the tank, but sometimes the weather is good to still take the car out a few times before any salt is put on the roads and I've never had a problem once spring hits and it's time to get it back out.