[VIDEO] Why You Should Store Your C5/C6/C7 Corvette With Just a Quarter Tank of Fuel

By
Keith Cornett
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13
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[VIDEO] Why You Should Store Your C5/C6/C7 Corvette with Just a Quarter Tank of Fuel


If you store your C5, C6 or C7 Corvettes for the winter or longer, you should watch this video from Paul Koerner, a GM World Class Technician who can be found wrenching on Corvettes at Jackson Chevrolet in Middletown, CT.

In his latest facebook video, Paul highlights Chevrolet engineering’s recommendations for storing C5, C6 and C7 Corvettes with only a quarter tank of gas. And to demonstrate why, Paul is showing a fuel system out of a 2014 Corvette with the emphasis on the fuel level module that includes the float, fuel sending unit, and fuel pump.

When you store your later model Corvette with a full tank of fuel, Paul shows how the sending unit sensor card contact point on the float would actually be submerged in fuel. That’s not an issue with normal driving because the sending unit float moving up and down helps keep the contacts clean. However, should it remain submerged over long storage periods, sulfur contaminants in the fuel can change the resistance of the sending card, causing issues with the fuel system.

The reason why most people were taught to fill up their tanks before a long-term storage would be to keep moisture out of the fuel tank. Paul then shows how the Corvette fuel system is a closed system designed to keep moisture out and that’s why you can store your Corvette with just a quarter tank of fuel.

Sulfur contaminated fuel level sensors due to storing Corvette with a full tank can happen and create huge expense, so do NOT STORE c5/c6/c7 with more than a 1/4 tank of fuel. Let’s see why!!! Caution: 4 min video


As you may know, starting with the C5 Corvettes and continuing through C7, the Corvettes utilized a “saddle bag” design for the fuel tanks and you can see in the video what a pain it is to remove them. So take Paul’s advice and if you store your Corvette for an extended amount of time, make sure it only has a quarter tank of fuel!


Source:
TheCorvetteMechanic / Facebook

Related:
[VIDEO] Join TheCorvetteMechanic’s Paul Koerner for a Live Event on Saturday at Jackson Chevrolet
[VIDEO] Corvette Battery Maintenance with GM Technician Paul Koerner
[VIDEO] How to Fix a Creaky Removable Top on a C6 Corvette Coupe

 



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13 COMMENTS

  1. Does the quarter tank of fuel storage apply if you use Chevron gas with Techron and also Stabil Fuel protection for a C6 Corvette in long term Winter storage in So. California.

  2. Well after all these years, now they tell us! Okay without looking is there anything in the owners manual on this? Good timing (NOT) after everyone in the north has their babies tucked away for winter. Merry Christmas.

  3. My sentiments exactly: why didn’t we find out about this sooner? My C7 is already in storage with some Stabil added. Now what? You can’t drive these things in ice & snow, so are we already screwed? Shame on GM for not informing their customers. Bah humbug.

  4. Must I drain my tank down to 1/4 at this time ? This is my second winter stored with a full tank of Esso premium fuel only. No additives. 2017 Z-51

  6. I don’t know about this…last year was the first time that my C5 had less than a full tank of gas and no stabil and it was a pain to get started. Had CE lights, needed to replace both pre-cat oxygen sensors, change spark plugs, and add techron to get it to run and idle properly. This year I’ve already filled it up and put in stabil, and that’s the way it will stay.

  7. Well, since my car has been in storage for six weeks already this is a bit late. I have stored it with a full tank and fuel stabilizer each winter since 2015 with no issues but I guess next year I will try the 1/4 tank approach. I agree with the poster above who wrote that GM should consider informing owners of proper storage since so many of these cars are obviously not driven in winter.

  8. Aren’t they shipped new to the dealership with full tanks where they may remain for months before being sold? I think Stabil is the answer since modern fuel behind to separate into corrosive water in a few months if not used.

  10. This debate rages on every year in mid-Fall. Next year there will be
    a “definitive” video stating why our Corvettes should be stored with
    a full tank of gas. ENOUGH already!

  11. I had 2 C6 corvettes since 2009, I haven’t had any problems. I agree with the other posters, it should have been in the manual if its true. What a time to fine after people had already stored their cars.

  12. Ken Gutwein: FYI, all new vehicle are shipped with approx. two gallons of fuel. No more and definitely not a full tank. This decreases shipping weight and costs. The new vehicles are not even fueled on the dealer lot or during the PDI process unless fuel is needed to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The dealership fuels the vehicle with a full tank at the time or retail delivery. The dealership is then reimbursed for the cost of the fuel by the manufacturer.

  13. FYI I have had a 2003 C5 for some 15 years now it gets stored every winter with a FULL tank of gas and stabill. Sometimes its 6months without even being started thanks to my battery tender. I never have any problems and it starts first time every time. I guess I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

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