Fuel Stabilizer or not??

[josh1981]

Every time I put fuel in the boat this last year I added Sta-Bil Marine Ethanol treatment. Do I still need to add fuel stabilizer for winter storage? Also I was told because of the Ethanol blended fuel to try and drain (or suck out) as much of the fuel out of the tank as possible. There is only about 5 gallons or so left in the tank, is it a good idea to just go ahead and suck out the last bit just to be on the safe side?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Fuel Stabilizer or not??

I use stabilizer all year long and (knock on wood) haven't had a fuel related problem yet.

I have always read to keep the tank 3/4+ during storage to help keep condensation from forming in the tank.

Maybe someone else can offer better insight.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Fuel Stabilizer or not??

My boat has over a year old fuel in it treated with Stabil...I figured i would have to drain it but had it out a couple weeks ago and it ran fine.

It will get run down to near empty and filled with fresh fuel and Stabil for this winter.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Fuel Stabilizer or not??

i run sta-bil the last little bit of the season. been running it since the last two times out. it'll get topped off for winterization w/sta-bil added.
so far. no problems.. i just use the red sta-bil..

i top off to keep the condensation down too.
when i got my boat, it'd been in storage for 15 years (so i was told). i must of had a case of rustys inside my fuel tank as i had fuel filter plugging up issues. i got lucky (didn't have to pull the fuel tank). multiple fuel filter changes for 2 years + and they seem to be gone. i've not changed my fuel filter this season.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Fuel Stabilizer or not??

Stabil ethanol treatment is for ethanol. You still should use the red stabil for storage.

Read the bottle, I don't think that the marine formula advertises itself as a "stabilizer".

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Fuel Stabilizer or not??

I would fill the tank with 93 octane ethanol free gas and use stabil. Never leave ethanol mixed gas in the tank for any extended period of time.