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Age of gasoline
I need some advise.  Let me explain, my wife and I parked our rig in Tucson in the middle of March (2020).  We filled the gas tank before parking. We flew home to Hawaii with the idea to return to Tucson in June.  Unfortunately we have been unable to return to the mainland and will not be able to until the end of January (2021). My daughter who lives in Tucson has on occasion started the engine and run the generator. Now my questions, should I be worried about the age and quality of the gasoline in the tank?  Would it help to have my daughter  put a gas stabilizer in  the tank now or is it too late?  Is there something else I should do?  Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

Randy
2018 31' TB
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #1 –
Have her put Sta-bil in the tank and run both, the engine for a short spell, and the generator under load 1/2 hr.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #2 –
The Stabil is unlikely to mix unless the motorhome is driven, with starts, stops, and turns. Auto gas is quite stable over a three month period, and since it's only 3 months till you pick it up, I suggest just run the engines as you have been doing; better yet, drive 5 or 10 miles instead of just running the vehicle engine.
2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #3 –

Rodents would be higher on my list of things to worry about. 

Modern gas is remarkably good.  I’d let it go, drive for a while once you return, and then top off with fresh fuel once you get down to 2/3 or so.

Rich
2003 MB
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #4 –
Randy,
If you are interested,  I can go by and add some techron and stabil and, if you want, drive it for 15 minutes.  There are a lot of things that need to be exercised to keep it running properly.  Also,  I keep two led lights on inside my LD which is parked behind my office.  Packrats are a real problem otherwise.
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #5 –
Thanks Parussky for the invitation, the rig is actually in Vail.  My phone number is 808 321 6200.  If you don't mind calling maybe we could arrange something.

Randy
2018 31' TB
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #6 –
Quote from: R. L. Day  - 
Thanks Parussky for the invitation, the rig is actually in Vail.  My phone number is 808 321 6200.  If you don't mind calling maybe we could arrange something.

Randy
Is it winterized? (if in Vail)

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #8 –
Just my two cents but anytime I plan on letting gas sit over a couple of months I fill the tank with stabil treated gasoline that has no ethanol added.Kind of a spendy fill up but it can save you a lot of headaches down the road.
Discuss anything with anyone and disagree agreeably. Always be polite and respectful.
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #9 –
Dont need to winterize here in Tucson, for the most part.  We rarely get below freezing for more than a few days.  Right now it is 100f. 
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Sawyer  - 
Just my two cents but anytime I plan on letting gas sit over a couple of months I fill the tank with stabil treated gasoline that has no ethanol added.Kind of a spendy fill up but it can save you a lot of headaches down the road.
I don't know why there is such a variation in experience. My motorhome typically sits for 5 to 7 months during the winter with the tank of gas from October, as did the one before it (both Ford V10), over 20 years total for the two of them. I drive it once a month for about 6 miles, so the tank is still almost full in March or April, when I travel again. No Stabil, just the common 87 Regular with ethanol. Never had any problems: always starts and runs well, doesn't run any better when it gets a fresh tank of fuel. Part of the reason it works, I think, is it's during the winter, as the gasoline doesn't degrade as quickly in cold weather.
2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #11 –
"My motorhome typically sits for 5 to 7 months during the winter with the tank of gas from October,..."

Ditto here! No stabilizer either. One caveat, it may be best to keep the tank FULL during long periods of non-use. It will cut down on evaporation of moisture, you don't need water in your gasoline!   ::) 
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #12 –
Steve S.,
I used to live in Clayton and your comment about keeping a tank full is appropriate because of the humidity.  However, here in Tucson, humidity ranges from 5-20% most of the year.  The monsoon season from July to Sept, we will see the outrageously high  8)  humidity of 50%. 
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #13 –
Quote from: Eric Greenwell  - 
I don't know why there is such a variation in experience. My motorhome typically sits for 5 to 7 months during the winter with the tank of gas from October, as did the one before it (both Ford V10), over 20 years total for the two of them. I drive it once a month for about 6 miles, so the tank is still almost full in March or April, when I travel again. No Stabil, just the common 87 Regular with ethanol. Never had any problems: always starts and runs well, doesn't run any better when it gets a fresh tank of fuel. Part of the reason it works, I think, is it's during the winter, as the gasoline doesn't degrade as quickly in cold weather.
Good to hear. I tend to error on the side of caution and will continue to do so. Just who and what I am. ;D
Discuss anything with anyone and disagree agreeably. Always be polite and respectful.
 
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #14 –
I'm with Sawyer, gasoline is what it is and fuel injection is a little more forgiving. Carburetors on the other hand are a different deal, if the generator doesn't run right come spring you will know the culperate. I use Startron and premium nonethonal  in everything over the winter months. All small engines get noneth. There again, just my preference.

Jon
1994 MB
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #15 –
Quote from: JonS  - 
I'm with Sawyer, gasoline is what it is and fuel injection is a little more forgiving. Carburetors on the other hand are a different deal, if the generator doesn't run right come spring you will know the culperate. I use Startron and premium nonethonal  in everything over the winter months. All small engines get noneth. There again, just my preference.

Jon
Very true on carbs and why I bit the bullet and filled the huge LD tank up with premium non ethanol and stabil before winter. The generator feeds off that gas and I didn't want a gummed up carb.
Two cycle motors are even more finicky and I always run non ethanol premium in chainsaws and my snowmobile which I just sold a couple days ago. My what some might call fanatical care and feeding of everything I own paid off there. I sold my 1999 Ski-Doo in a heartbeat because of its like new condition. With all the response I got on the Craigslist add and the huge smile on the face of the guy that bought it I'm thinking I should have asked more but oh well.  :)
Discuss anything with anyone and disagree agreeably. Always be polite and respectful.
Re: Age of gasoline
Reply #16 –
Quote from: Sawyer  - 
Very true on carbs and why I bit the bullet and filled the huge LD tank up with premium non ethanol and stabil before winter. The generator feeds off that gas and I didn't want a gummed up carb.
Two cycle motors are even more finicky and I always run non ethanol premium in chainsaws and my snowmobile which I just sold a couple days ago. My what some might call fanatical care and feeding of everything I own paid off there. I sold my 1999 Ski-Doo in a heartbeat because of its like new condition. With all the response I got on the Craigslist add and the huge smile on the face of the guy that bought it I'm thinking I should have asked more but oh well.  :)


If you should need another snowmobile some day , I have one for sale...

1994 MB