Storing a car and petrol in tank?

[Adi]

Here is an interesting one.......as I do not always drive the 535iM and the e34 M5 is being restored, how full should the petrol tank be? Full, half or empty when they are parked, covered and standing?

 

[Mr Occo]

Good question!

 

[Budleigh]

The wisdom on E38s, which often suffer from tank leakage, is that a full(er) tank will prevent leaks from forming. So I'd say as much as possible.

 

[rick540]

Adi I store my cars for long periods without driving for up to six months.

Even in the heat of summer I have never had a problem if the tank is around 50% full.

The issue comes from some of the volatile components in petrol evaporating leaving the heavier stuff in the tank. What I read one is supposed to do is to chuck in 10 liters every few months to "freshen" the existing fuel, then no problems result.

Smell the fuel in the tank, and trust me if it's getting old it will not smell like petrol, you will never forget the smell of old fuel. If it smells like petrol then its still fine.

 

[Adi]

cool so a regular top-up should do the trick......well they get started every other week

 

[Mike1]

Adi, you can also consider grabbing some Liqui Moly Petrol Stabiliser.

I cant remember the exact name, but it is designed to prevent fuel from going off, as well as stabilising the fuel when the car stands for long periods of time.

The Franschhoek Motor Museum used to buy boxes of this from me and they loved it.

My dad uses it in his motorbikes (his Buell is 4 years old with 2200km on the clock and often stands for over 6 months at a time with no issue) never had to drain a tank, just start and go.

Perhaps something to consider. :thumbs:

 

[Raybimmer]

From info in popular mechanics April 2010 page 91 :
Add the correct amount of fuel stabiliser to keep the fuel from oxidising and turning into varnish .Fill the tank to the brim to prevent codensation in the space above the gas then run the engine long enough to circulate the stabiliser .
Hope it helps .

 

[Fordkoppie]

I have read plenty of times from the people overseas that store cars during the winter months, that it is best to fill the tank to the brim as Raybimmer explained.

PS - it is not good for your engine to regularly start it without driving. You are doing more harm than good. Rather leave it untill you can take it for a proper drive.

 

[Adi]

Where can I get a set Liqui Moly Petrol Stabiliser?

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Midas?

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Fordkoppie, thanx for that, the starting involves a drive up and down my driveway....aware of the standing and starting problems.....don't want to take the half stripped M5 onto the gravel road.......

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or Mike do you sell?

 

[Mike1]

Hi Adi, if my dad still has I can send some up for you.

Drop me a mail, [email protected] and let me grab a price (Will be at cost too) for you.

Mike

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We have 14 x 6 x 250ml and 4 x 250ml loose in stock, you can have them all.

Just waiting on the price. :rollsmile:

 

[Adi]

mail sent!

 

[moranor@axis]

NF also have products for this if you dont come right with the LM stuff PM me

 

[Mike1]

Oi! Stop smousing in the thread where I am smousing. :roflol:

 

[Dippies]

:biglol::roflol::biglol:

 

[moranor@axis]

:rollsmile: the LM stuff will probably be a better price because it is at cost

 

[Mike1]

:rollsmile::rollsmile::rollsmile:

Its R38 at cost, normal price is R68 and there is loads of it. :flyfun:

 

[moranor@axis]

yip dont see this as being a quick seller not many people need it

 

[Raybimmer]

yip dont see this as being a quick seller not many people need it

what.....look where petrol price is going ? M60 dinososaurs may need this :roflol:

 

[Raybimmer]

:rollsmile::rollsmile::rollsmile:

Its R38 at cost, normal price is R68 and there is loads of it. :flyfun:

eish .....this post was not moved to the ...section ......because you are a cool guy :thumbs::thumbs:

 

[Mike1]

Thanks, besides technically its not a sale unless there is profit and since I am so cool I sold it at cost. :rollsmile: