winter storage and gas gauge

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dadsc6

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As a retired auto tech ( 40 yrs ) got to thinking about winter storage and filling gas tank or not on my c5 and c6. After a bit of searching it seems some GM corvette techs suggest not filling the tank. The senders are affected by the corrosive ( sulfer etc ) components in gas and leaving the tank low ( maybe 1/8 ) leaves the sender circuit out of the fuel . Now in the past we always worried about condensation and water accumulation from a low tank but most cars now have plastic tanks so seems to me that plastic would not sweat like a steel tank does therefore min condensation.
So my thinking is , install Techron in last tank in Fall , drive around last trips till low, put in storage, fill with fresh fuel in Spring.
Any comments pro or con
 
I always filled my tank to avoid humity problems without tinking it may affect my fuel sender. I am also a auto tech for the last 35 years, we follow formation many times a year and no one ever mention the possibility of damaging the sender. Fuel haved change a lot since 35 years. In most case the cars in hibernation are not under huge temperature variation and the evap system keep the ambient air away from the fuel tank so your statemnet is pretty logic.
 
theboss said:
I always filled my tank to avoid humity problems without tinking it may affect my fuel sender. I am also a auto tech for the last 35 years, we follow formation many times a year and no one ever mention the possibility of damaging the sender. Fuel haved change a lot since 35 years. In most case the cars in hibernation are not under huge temperature variation and the evap system keep the ambient air away from the fuel tank so your statement is pretty logic.
Click to expand...

Where can we get techron here in Ontario?
 
Your observations make sense however, we get a lot of humidity due to the temperature swings during the fall in winter in Saskatchewan. I would prefer to keep the tank full as it is nice having a tank to drive on as soon as you license the car.
One thought I've had to keep the sensors in tip top shape is to put some Toluene in the tank. We used Toluene at my last work place for cleaning electrical components and upon reading about toluene, it also boosts the octane level..... Just a thought.
PS. We get no techron in Saskatchewan or 93 octane fuel......:(
 
Riley P said:
Your observations make sense however, we get a lot of humidity due to the temperature swings during the fall in winter in Saskatchewan. I would prefer to keep the tank full as it is nice having a tank to drive on as soon as you license the car.
One thought I've had to keep the sensors in tip top shape is to put some Toluene in the tank. We used Toluene at my last work place for cleaning electrical components and upon reading about toluene, it also boosts the octane level..... Just a thought.
PS. We get no techron in Saskatchewan or 93 octane fuel......:(
Click to expand...
my thinking was since we have plastic tanks ( way less temp sweating than steel ) and gas cap that stays sealed under a few lbs of pressure or vac which stops a lot of air exchange in tank that we probably could rethink what we all use to do with older cars. I also have serviced a lot of equipment that suffered from degraded fuel over 6 mths of storage with the newer blended fuels that a fill of mostly fresh fuel in the spring looks good to me. Having said that my car runs ok on 6 mth old fuel but I use Shell premium with no Ethanol so your results may vary
 
Keith Tedford said:
Where can we get techron here in Ontario?
Click to expand...
by the way Techron has recently changed their labeling which i found confusing, they use to offer reg and one called techron plus which is what we needed to clean fuel gauge. Now we need the one called "concentrated plus complete fuel system cleaner"
 
I've had a Honda m/c since 2000 (my b'day present to myself) and have always used Stabil for winter storage. Just fill the tank a week or so before storage and add the Stabil....go for a ride to circulate through the system and top off the tank and add a bit more Stabil. Give her a haircut and a shine , plug in the battery tender and cover for the winter. Same program for the bride's 2011 Mustang convertible. Only thing I've changed over the years is moving to Stabil for ethanol fuels. Both pieces fire right up in the spring with no problems. Now if I can just get my hands on the 2016 Vette I have on order and I'll be happy!!
 
My non-professional experience agrees with dadsC6 and others, tells me plastic tanks do not sweat like metal tanks..
This newer ethanol fuel seems to go bad sooner than the old 'good' stuff..
I just couldn't bring myself to load the car with $60-70 of fuel to sit for a few months and go bad..!
I parked it almost empty... but enough to get to gas station in the Spring for a fresh fill-up.
I might drop in a bit of Sta-Bil too.
YMMV
graham
 
Graham, I filled mine to the brim. The thinking being once they pass the Paris Accord on MMGW that $60.00 worth of fuel will actually be worth $8 or $900 in the spring. You know we must do our part.:banghead:
 
loll good thought Murray....:)

I've always stored all mine with full tank with Stabil and never had any issues whatsoever. Never had any problem with stale gas in the spring. No doubt it's stale after 4 months but it has never caused me any problems.

Keith I've bought techron thru amazon but it's been pricey. Now I just burn PetroCan fuel which has techron in it ..... and run some Delco fuel/i cleaner thru it every 5k.

C.
 
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CCO said:
loll good thought Murray....:)

I've always stored all mine with full tank with Stabil and never had any issues whatsoever. Never had any problem with stale gas in the spring. No doubt it's stale after 4 months but it has never caused me any problems.

Keith I've bought techron thru amazon but it's been pricey. Now I just burn PetroCan fuel which has techron in it ..... and run some Delco fuel cleaner thru it every 5k.

C.
Click to expand...
Thanks Colin for the tip on techron in the Petro Can gas.
 
buckhorn76 said:
plastic tanks sweat too, we see it all the time in outboards, lawn mowers, jerry cans etc. startron works well with today's fuels.
Click to expand...


I was told to fill my jet ski full of gas........ plastic tank.

I fill full of non ethanol gas ( Shell 91 ) and use Stabil and also add an awesome product that is a fuel drier from BG which is mainly used at some dealerships.

https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/gasoline-fuel-system/bg-fuel-system-drier/


BG Fuel System Drier
PN 280
BG Fuel System Drier absorbs moisture that accumulates from condensation in the fuel tank, holding it suspension until it gets burned with fuel. Because of this, it provides easier cold weather starting and prevents fuel icing and freezing.

Vehicle fuels are prone to water contamination, especially during storage. If this moisture is left untreated, it leads to corrosion in the fuel system, erratic engine operation, and microorganism growth that plugs fuel filters.

BG Fuel System Drier safely and effectively absorbs moisture, holding it in suspension until it can be burned up by the engine. Installed by a professional, it improves cold weather starting and prevents icing or freezing caused by moisture accumulation in diesel and gasoline fuel systems.



https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/gasoline-fuel-system/bg-ethanol-fuel-system-drier/

BG Ethanol Fuel System Drier
PN 281
BG Ethanol Fuel System Drier defends engines against the water that accumulates in ethanol-blended fuel.

Ethanol-blended fuel is hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs moisture. If left untreated, this moisture can cause corrosion on fuel system components, leading to erratic engine operation, and microorganism growth that plugs fuel filters.

BG Ethanol Fuel System Drier is a professional-use product that holds the water drawn in by ethanol in suspension, forming a stable solution. This allows the water to pass through the fuel system with no harm to combustion.


all the products are amazing....... I had a BG rep come to a car club meeting and show how the water was removed using the fuel dryer.

Many products..... the 44K is amazing too..... the rep told me that the only other product he would say is decent is Chevron Techron.... said all the other STP and other names were garbage.

Check out all the products.

https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/gasoline-fuel-system/


Brian
 
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Amazon product ASIN B00K0T94LC



Amazon product ASIN B00K0SZ0DY




some may not ship to Canada.

this stuff is high end.......... don't think it is too expensive.

If you going on a road trip add a can of 44K........... it cleans the tops of the pistons and valves and injectors.

20 years ago a car buddies wifes car was running rough and I did a complete BG fuel injector flush...... when we backed the car out of my shop it ran perfect. This stuff is the best on the market.

I need to get some more fuel drier....... my brother works at a dealership that sells the product line....... I know some reps and might try contact them to get some if people in the Edmonton area want some.

Brian
 
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Great information Brian. Based on where I am located it is typically longer than 4 months to get the car out of the garage after a long winter nap. Gravel road that winter beats up really bad so I usually have to wait for the grader to come by. Because of that I do worry about the fuel in the car but I have always added StaBil but maybe should be looking at some other products as well.

Thanks.
 
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