Storing premixed fuel over winter .

[kerny]

My rib is now in the garage for the winter months , my question is I still have 20 litres or so of premixed fuel left in my tanks is it best to leave the vent screw open or closed on the tanks and will the fuel still be okay to use for spring even if the temp drops well below freezing over the winter period . The tanks are the plastic 22ltr ones .

Cheer's

kerny .

[Bigmuz7]

I know there are those that say aye .. and those that say nay .. me .. I'd leave it .. and on a first outing next year, blend in some fresh, and try and burn the whole lot off ready for your next trip and I'd do that for any engine BTW 2 smoke or otherwise

[willk]

I'd close the vents and keep it. As BigwusS says, blend it with new stock in the Spring. If you're uneasy about the duration of storage, buy a little fuel stabiliser and add it in.

As an aside, I've just got in from "winterising" me strimmer and chainsaw. Interestingly, Jonserd 2T oil (for buzzy garden engines) has it's own fuel stabiliser - so no worries on the stored stuff. I wonder do any of the marine 2T oils have similar additives?

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by willk

buy a little fuel stabiliser and add it in.

Caution on that one for Optimax users (with best respect Willk ) .. rekon it had something to do with a failed injector on a new 150 I had when this stuff was used .. could have been chance ofcourse .. so never used it thereafter, and no problems since

[spartacus]

One thing I've noticed with stored petrol in my own garage is that it still needs to be vented. The garage door (metal up and over variety) can soak up the sun's rays even on a winter's day, which in turn generates heats the garage and pressurises the fuel vapour in the 25 litre tanks. This requires the fuel tanks to be vented. Not an issue if the fuel is kept away from sources of heat and light, but something to be aware off.

[willk]

Originally Posted by spartacus

The garage door (metal up and over variety) can soak up the sun's rays even on a winter's day, which in turn generates heats the garage and pressurises the fuel vapour in the 25 litre tanks. This requires the fuel tanks to be vented.

Lucky you - mine is as cold as Charity.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by willk

Lucky you - mine is as cold as Charity.

Snow forecast for Wednesday. I've already looked out the shovel.

[kerny]

Many thanks for your advice guy's , I will vent the tanks every now and then just in case my two metal up and over doors capture the winter sun and radiate the heat into the garage ( if they do were all moving in) just messing spartacus but it is a valid point , then come spring top up with some fresh juice . I'm just glad I don't have to throw it away especially at today's prices .

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by spartacus

One thing I've noticed with stored petrol in my own garage is that it still needs to be vented. The garage door (metal up and over variety) can soak up the sun's rays even on a winter's day, which in turn generates heats the garage and pressurises the fuel vapour in the 25 litre tanks. This requires the fuel tanks to be vented. Not an issue if the fuel is kept away from sources of heat and light, but something to be aware off.

Does the fuel (and vapor) expand enough for tank rupture to be an issue?

If it does, then I'd agree that venting the tank is wise.

If not, I'd say that having fuel vapor accumulating in the garage would be more of a concern. Moreso if you have a furnace or water heater in there.

jky

[C-NUMB]

I never had problems by leaving premix( 95e) for over the winter in the tank, stored inside in a heated garage. Guess that´s pure luck, and for sophisticated engines might be another outcome.

When had the carbs tuned on my 90hp aeto, asked the local yam dealer how they do. They use "small engine fuel", different stuff than 95e, no issues with storage for longer times. And they leave the carbs full.

So this year did run the 3,5, 25hp and the yam this way(in addition to fogging oil), lets see what will happen in the spring.