old fuel?

[wijames]

I have a little bit of really old fuel (maybe a 1/2 gallon) in my boat that I can't seem to get pumped out and my tank doesn't have a drain. If I add new fuel, will it dilute the old fuel and be OK to use or will the old fuel mess up the new stuff? I had switched to a smaller tank so I haven't used this tank for about three months so what little bit of fuel that hasen't evaporated is probably pretty bad. Now I want to go back to the original tank.

[bassn386]

If I were you, I would add SeaFoam at above the recommended rate, which is one ounce per gallon. I wouldn't add too much new gas so that maybe you can run it until all the old fuel is used up.
I'm sure that situation exists for many boat users. I think in my case that I have a 56 gallon tank in my toon and I know there's gas in there from one year to the next. Same thing for my bass boat, which has a 45 gallon tank.
Here's my procedure: If I'm buying gas on land, I add Mercury's KwikCare which is supposed to neutralize the ethanol. I use one ounce per 10 gallons of fuel. I use SeaFoam at the end of the season and run the motor until I'm sure it's had a chance to get through the system.
I've been using SeaFoam for more than 10 years as my storage additive. I have never had an issue with phase separation of the ethanol.
Here at Lake of the Ozarks all marine fuel is ethanol free.

[Ron Burgundy]

I wouldn't worry about a little but of three month old fuel. Fill err up and run it. Ezpz.

[wijames]

I wouldn't worry about a little but of three month old fuel. Fill err up and run it. Ezpz.

Thanks Ron. Havent heard from you in a while. Glad to see you're still floatin! I'm in the process of selling my 20'r and looking for a 24 to 30' toon. Maybe use my coast guard license and run some charters over here.

Butch

[Hawk_308]

I wouldn't worry about a little but of three month old fuel. Fill err up and run it. Ezpz.

This, it isn't enough to to worry about from your friendly petroleum tech.

[Capt Sully]

Yep, it's just fine, enjoy, don't worry

[zoom650]

FWIW: For 11 years, I had twin 200 Yami EFI's with a 200 gallon tank. The mix in the tank was probably more old gas than new gas. Any additives were haphazard. We never had engine problems related to fuel.

[chill'nthemost]

Here's a good example of why I run Sea Foam all season and just add extra at storage.

[ROLAND]

you should be fine.. I hope so because I have the same situation, only "more" old fuel.... my boat had approx. 1/2 tank ( 12 gallons or so ) left from last year. Fortunately it is ethanol free and I added a good stabilizer to it at the time of fill up... just last week topped off the tank with more ethanol free fuel, added a can of seafoam and more stabilizer.... haven't had it to the lake yet but fired right up in the driveway on muffs.