From:	Dave Hennessey	e-mail:	dave-A-toyhouse.org
Subject:	RE: RE: Drained gas tank	Date:	Sat Nov 17 21:11:39 2012
Response to:	17958

I agree with the full tank theory - it's the best way to prevent rust from forming or existing rust from getting worse. I put Marine StaBil in all my motorcycles, tractors, generator, and weed whackers. Since I live in the country, I'm gonna need to use the tractor this winter to plow the snow off the driveway, and fire up the generator when the power goes out, so draining the gas isn't a good option - I'd rather have things gassed up and ready to go. And we usually get a few unusually warm days each winter when I want to take the bike for a ride. If it's gassed up, I can kick and go! You can find regular StaBil at almost any auto parts store, but the Marine version is a little harder to find. It's worth looking for, as it's only a little bit more than the regular formulation. Think about boats - they sit idle from Labor Day until Memorial Day. Motorcycles do too. The Marine version is made exactly for that. If you can't find Marine, just double-dose the regular stuff. Start up the bike and run it until the float bowl is full of StaBil-ized gas. If you've drained the gas tank, you also have to drain the float bowl in the carburator, so gunk doesn't form in there. Take the carburator off the bike, take it apart, clean it up and put it back together. In the spring, you can just put the nice clean carb back on the bike, and you're ready to go. http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/stabil/products.aspx#marine_formula Dave ----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS ----- The best thing is a FULLY filled tank as far as protection goes. (gas is oil you know!) Otherwise you are better off leaving the cap off than sealing it. You might even suspend a desiccant pack in it to absorb as much as possible. If sealed the condensation will go to work on it! An unheated garage has enough temperature swing to create lots of condensation. You might need to change jobs. Your boss doesn't get it! ----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS ----- I've drained the gas tank on the Hummer and it will sit for the next 5 months in an unheated garage (the boss says there's no room in the house). What do the experts suggest to lessen condensation/corrosion in the tank; do I leave the gas cap off so air can circulate in tank; or do I close petcock and put cap on tight? Thanks.