Community Forums

donhaus · 09-16-2011, 09:51 AM

Does anyone know what the approximate amount of gas is in the tank when the low fuel warning goes on? I have a 2005 NRV Dolphin LX 6342 with a 75 gallon gas tank. I am trying to figure out how much fuel stabilizer to put in the tank for winterizing. In the past, I have estimated about 10 gallons for the reserve but I would like to know more definitively.
Thanks in advance for the help.

Fred and Bonnie · 09-16-2011, 10:18 AM

Why not use the tank capacity, and fill it up?

Fred

donhaus · 09-16-2011, 10:56 AM

I would rather store as little fuel as possible over the winter. Why would I want to spend $275+ plus the cost of fuel stabilizer just to have it sit for the winter. I intend to drive until the fuel level warning lite goes on then add stabilizer and about 5 more gallons. I will then drive it to the storage lot, which should also mix the stabilizer and gas adequately to get it into the system.

two2go · 09-16-2011, 11:46 AM

I doubt you can add too much, so estimating based on 5-10 gal is probably OK. The problem I see is that your generator won't run when the tank is too low, so you won't be getting the fuel stabilizer through the generator. I always run mine for 10 minutes under load after adding stabilizer.

donhaus · 09-16-2011, 12:17 PM

I agree on the generator point. That is why I also add 5 gallons on top the fuel reserve. The extra will let me run and fog the generator to winterize it and get me to the storage lot and back in spring. With gas prices being as high as they are I am trying to be more economical with gas these days.

njs42 · 09-16-2011, 12:23 PM

Ditto on the generator---I run mine in storage even with stabilizer. You will buy gas eventually and with stabilizer it will last and be fresh when you begin after winter. A full tank prevents condensation from cold then warm temps. I fill mine during storage. I do not have to fill up when I make my first trip after---works out the same.

donhaus · 09-16-2011, 12:44 PM

Even with stabilizer in the gas I had a problems with my generator. It is not easy for me to run the generator while in storage because it is inside. After having to replace the carb on the generator because it became fouled (even with stabilizer), I now fog the generator with Sea-Foam and drain all the gas from the carb. No more problems with the generator after that. I service the generator similar to my other small engines that get winterized.

njs42 · 09-16-2011, 01:07 PM

Would the workhorse folks know the specific answer you crave?

If you know how many miles you have driven on the tank and approximately how your MPG generally is then you will be very close. Having tracked that in years past when I go to fill up now I can pretty much guess almost to the gallon what it will take ie; how much is left in the tank as well..

Does it hurt to have a little more stabilizer in the reserve gas? Probably not. So I would just make the best estimate---follow the guidelines for your estimate on the bottle of stabilizer and call it a day. I'm not sure you can make a serious mistake here being reasonable.

Fred and Bonnie · 09-16-2011, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donhaus

I would rather store as little fuel as possible over the winter. Why would I want to spend $275+ plus the cost of fuel stabilizer just to have it sit for the winter. I intend to drive until the fuel level warning lite goes on then add stabilizer and about 5 more gallons. I will then drive it to the storage lot, which should also mix the stabilizer and gas adequately to get it into the system.

I have understood it is never good to store a unit with little fuel in the tank, to much condensation.

Fred