Winterizing - Aluminum Fuel Tanks
 

Plenty of discussion in the forums regarding what winterizing method is best for our engines, ie..., fuel tank full -vs- empty, stabil, etc..

I'm fortunate that I can use my electric fuel pump to drain, to the fuel pick-up level, the (2) aluminum IMCO fuel tanks in my Cat hull.

I recently went through the exercise of cutting out and replacing the aluminum tanks in my Nephew's "V" hull, something I never want to do with my Cat.

What is the best method to winterize to prevent corrosion in aluminum fuel tanks?

I'm in the LOTO area (missouri) and the boat is stored inside a non-climate controlled garage. Dealing with old gas in the spring is a lesser worry than the thought of sawing my boat apart to replace fuel tanks.


Help save the aluminum tanks!!!



Thanks .......:daz:

ttt

i drain mine every year and tape off the fuel vent,,25 years and no issues ever..

I've never known of problems with leaving fuel in aluminum tanks. I do drain mine the best I can over winter by siphoning. I can look inside with a flashlight and they look like new in there. 1983 boat with original tanks.

Glad to hear affirmation towards draining the tanks. I like the idea of not having to fill up and leave 90 gallons of gas in the garage for 4 or 5 months. Could be quite a "barn burner" if an unexpected leaks occur, not to mention any shelf-life effects on the fuel.

Any input regarding effects of condensation (and corrosion) possibly developing inside of the empty aluminum tanks?

Again, my goal, and paranoia, is to prevent fuel tank rot.

Thanks ...........

My local marina carries non-ethanol fuel. Is that uncommon?

It's not cheap but for only a one-time end of season fill up and a bottle of stabil it sure seems easier than draining the tank.

I simply put stabilizer in mine at the end of the year no matter what the ending fuel level. Never had any problems. Don't over think it so much...........

Never had any problems, and never had anything in the fuel filters............

+1

plus 2 with 300 gallons

That's how I do it. Load it up with some green stabil and don't worry about it.