Depends on who you listen too. I store mine nearly empty. Then I drive it every few weeks and add enough to make it the same as it was. Ive never had a problem. New gas isnt worth a crap after it sets all winter. I drain it out of everything...lawnmower, weedeater, etc. I have forgot and left gas (w/stabil) in my port generator before and everytime it was a 4 hour ordeal to get it started again.
I fill mine and add stabil, been doing that for the last 4yrs and it fires up and runs great every spring. Don't forget to put a battery tender on it also.
Originally posted by rogergarrison: I drain it out of everything...lawnmower, weedeater, etc. I have forgot and left gas (w/stabil) in my port generator before and everytime it was a 4 hour ordeal to get it started again.
Really?? I never drain my Craftsman lawnmower...it sits about 5 months and always starts first pull in the spring without stabilizer. Gas should be great for about a year, then start to degrade. ...of course everyone has their own experiences... (never had a problem with the generator either....but that tends to be run more often)
Some research has shown newer gas starts degrading after just a month. It also absorbs water. If I leave my plane set for a month (filled to top) I can drain out pints of water. Planes have special drains built in just for that purpose. If Im going to have it set longer, I have the FBO drain all the fuel and refill it with fresh. 200 miles out over the ocean is not the place you want to find out you have bad gas in a single engine plane.
Some research has shown newer gas starts degrading after just a month. It also absorbs water. If I leave my plane set for a month (filled to top) I can drain out pints of water. Planes have special drains built in just for that purpose. If Im going to have it set longer, I have the FBO drain all the fuel and refill it with fresh. 200 miles out over the ocean is not the place you want to find out you have bad gas in a single engine plane.
What type of fuel are planes running?
BTW, I would think that a little water in an automotive tank isn't too bad, until an airplane tank, which has drains for such cases (to remove the water).
[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 10-21-2013).]
100-110 octane low lead. Like I already said, planes all have a spring loaded drain at the lowest end of the tank. You use a plastic cup that has a long pin in the center that opens the valve and drains the water into the cup. You drain it for a few seconds/ or all water is out everytime you do a preflight check.
(never had a problem with the generator either....but that tends to be run more often)
