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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Tow Vehicles -> Winterizing Fuel Tank
Post Info TOPIC: Winterizing Fuel Tank
Neil and Connie


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Winterizing Fuel Tank
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 OK, question for the diesel gurus. Getting an aux tank installed in our F450 next week and wondered what/if it needed winterizing down here in Fort Myers FL. Last two winters with only the OEM tank I just filled it on arrival and added cetane booster, then drove it 10 miles or so every couple of weeks. ith no issues noted. Saw a recommendation to put in biocide so got a bottle of that for this winter. 

With the new aux tank I can leave it with just a few gallons in the aux or fill it and add (or not) booster and/or biocide. 

Filling it leaves no space for air in tank and hence no water vapor in the tank to be absorbed in the fuel. 

With no previous issues, any reason to go one way or the other? Winter here isn't very humid so algae in the fuel isn't as much an issue as in summer but I didn't figure the biocide will hurt anything...but maybe I'm just polishing the cannonball here. 



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GENECOP


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Just keep doing what you have been, it's more than most do, and should give you years of good service...

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Alie and Jims Carrilite


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In Fort Myers all I would do is fill the tanks and add a stabilizer of some sort, and leave it. Just don't leave the aux tank empty, the condensation formed inside an empty tank will cause issues next spring.

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lindy


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Being in a warm humid area I'd be treating the fuel with some sort of Algae prevention. Not many parts stores carry this so the local Marina will be your best source i.e. westmarine.com

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Neil and Connie


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Thanks all…I was leaning toward filling both tanks and putting in the biocide for algae as well as the cetane booster I normally add. I didn't figure it would hurt anything and the fuel in the aux tank isn't going to really get very stale in just 4.5 months. Both tanks will stay pretty full anyway…I doubt we'll drive the truck more than 50 or 60 miles between now and April 1 anyway…just enough to keep the batteries charged and roll the tires around.

 



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The Junkman


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If storing for the winter.. wouldn't you want to store with very little fuel? to keep the suspension for sagging from the weight of the fuel? Or put the body on jack stands?

How much weight is all that fuel? maybe it's not heavy?

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Neil and Connie


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It's 425 pounds or so. The truck won't even notice the weight. The issues are water vapor/corrosion and gelling/algae in the fuel and most recommend leaving the tank full vice empty. 



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The Junkman


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I guess i better hit advance auto for a additive.. never worried about anything anywhere else.

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Glenn West


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Inside of tanks will sweat if low in fuel. never let my truck sit with less than a half for this reason.

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The Junkman


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Yea, but they have auto water separators, and are plastic..Will check the diesel fourm for the right additive.. didn't think I needed anything for only a couple months.. but will add stuff..



-- Edited by The Junkman on Saturday 8th of November 2014 05:30:37 PM

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Alie and Jims Carrilite


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Yes the trucks have the fuel water separator filter, but why go thru the hassle of changing filters when you can fill your tank, add a little Power Service gray or white bottle to it, drive home and park it. As long as the battery stays good the fuel is fine till next spring or whenever time comes to move.
Ya'll are overthinking this.

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The Junkman


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Alie and Jims Carrilite wrote:

Yes the trucks have the fuel water separator filter, but why go thru the hassle of changing filters when you can fill your tank, add a little Power Service gray or white bottle to it, drive home and park it. As long as the battery stays good the fuel is fine till next spring or whenever time comes to move.
Ya'll are overthinking this.

 Pretty sure filter changes would be required for warranty? I don't know. Mine gets dropped off at ram.. in fact it's about due for a oil change.. because of time.. not miles.

 

I will add a additive in mine.. Not sure gelling would be a issue in fl,.. But it did happen to me in NY at a windchill of 20 below.. I'm sure there is a additive that takes care of it all in fl.. can't hurt. Thanks for the post.



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