removing gas from 2001 itasca fuel tank

[Jim]

hi..my rig has been sitting for almost a year and i have been running the engine and generator every 1-2 weeks to exercise them..they run ok now but i am concerned after reading of the bad effects of old gas..i recently added 2 gallons of fresh gas and estimate there is about 20 gallons of unstabilized fuel in the tank which will take a long time to use up..has anyone siphoned gas or otherwise drained the tank??..i would like to drain it and add fresh fuel with a stabilizer..thanks..jim..

[Shadowcatche]

There are various brands of fuel stabilizer STA-BIL being the best known. It keeps fuel from breaking down. There are a number of ways of pumping the old gas out that siphon out the gas. Were it me I would just use a stabilizer.

[ralphie]

Since you've been exercising the motor and genny and they're still starting okay, I vote for filling the tank and using the MH now without worrying too much. I don't think adding Sta-bil now would help.

For future reference, when storing the MH for extended periods, you must use a product like Sta-bil. You should also change the oil and run the unit on the road to get the mix through the fuel system before storing the unit. Also, there's a school of thought that you should NOT run the MH motor at all during the storage period since you really never get it up to full operating speed and doing so causes moisture to cling to cylinder walls and other locations in the motor, yada, yada. Makes sense to me and is what I do. On the other hand, exercising the generator monthly is recommended by virtually everyone. Gotta wonder about that rationale, but I go with the flow.

[Hikerdogs]

The tank holds 75 gallons. If you only have about 20 or so in it now I would take it to the gas station , add a quart of Stabil then fill it all the way up with regular gas.

I woudln't be too concerned with leaving the old gas in it. I have a tractor that sat for over a year with old fuel in it. When I started it a couple weeks ago it ran just fine. I also have a rototiller that hasn't been used since 2007. I used it a couple weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised when it started on the second pull. Not bad for gas almost 5 years old.

[Patrol 65]

I wouldn't worry too much about 20 gallons of year old gas. I had a motorhome that sat unused for 4 years with about 50 gallons of gas. It started fine and was driven 40 miles to its new destination.

[bachler]

The solution Is Fill it Completly full Of gas Take it for a drive. Till the tank is enpty Burn it all out of the tank, Refill FULL. If you just put a gallon or so into it IT WILL turn to varnish; Fill it up to the cap.. Then store it;; 6 months no problem.... no STABELIZERS;; Some of the additives in stabelizers are NOT compatable With some of the fuel lines/components. Ask to sales person at the parts store if he will stand behind any product. If it should block up the carb./injecters; iN MY equipment, anytime a tractor is stored the fuel tank must be full,