Gas Stabilizer?

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Gas Stabilizer?

I've had to clean out snowmobile and lawnmower carbs so many times...fuel stabilizer really does work.

I didn't think we were talking about snowmobiles and lawnmowers..............

I never used anything either. Started using Sta-bil when I got a backup generator as it was recommended in the manual. Now I use it in everything because I have the stuff and I might as well... 4 years ago my dad and I pumped 25 gallons of fuel out of the 80 gallon belly tank in his boat. It had not been used since the 1st owner sold it to the guy my dad got it from, and he had it a couple years. My dad had the boat 2 years before we pumped it, so 4 year old gas at least. It was clean so we ran it in the mowers, smelled a little bit but ran just fine.

FWIW, Seafoam is pale oil and alcohol ( as per MSDS ) That does not make up a stabilizer even tho the cans are marked as such last I checked.

Most of us agree that if you're going to store for more than a year or so, one should just drain all the fuel.

But for the people who think you must "stabilize" gasoline, what exactly do you think you're stabilizing?

Gasoline is made up of components some of which will evaporate if left long enough at ambient temp and pressure. If you place the fuel under pressure those components will not evaporate or "settle" out etc......

One of the reasons carbureted engines become hard to start with "old" gas, is the reduction in vapor pressure that happens over time due to evaporation......lower vapor pressure fuel doesn't atomize as well in a carb venturi......

It's also why carbureted engines are a little harder to start with the newer reformulated gasolines. Newer gasolines have had a [GOV] mandated reduction in Reid Vapor Pressure because lower vapor pressure means less smog from evaporated fuel in the air...... [or so "they" say]..........It's not a problem when low RVP fuel is atomized in a pressurized fuel injector.......

Other "decomposition" can occur but NO snake oils will prevent "high-end" hydrocarbons from evaporating.

It almost appears that the snake oil manufacturers have "created" a problem so they could sell a "Cure"

Otherwise, why would so many of us have NO problems when NOT using it?

I am not trying to be a "troll" here....... but the fact remains. MANY of us do not use the stuff for a winter layup and suffer no apparent ill effects.............

 

[emilsr]

Re: Gas Stabilizer?

...... but the fact remains. MANY of us do not use the stuff for a winter layup and suffer no apparent ill effects.............

Very true, but if we're going by anecdotal information here I can tell you that when I started using stabilizer I had a very old 85 'rude. It was always difficult to get running in the spring until I started using the stuff. After that it was prime and go so I stuck with it.

I'm not saying this stuff is the be all, end all answer to layup, but it did help me. For everyone that swears it's "snake oil" there's someone that's sold on the stuff.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Gas Stabilizer?

I didn't think we were talking about snowmobiles and lawnmowers..............

How much different is the fuel system of a snowmobile or lawnmower compared with a small outboard?

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Gas Stabilizer?

I use green sneakers. I have a special pair of green sneakers I put on each fall prior to winterizing my boat. I hop up and down on my left foot for 6 minutes spinning in a clockwise direction, and for 2 minutes spinning on my left foot in the other direction, and I've never had a fule related problem.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Gas Stabilizer?

My OB collection spans from the 1920's to current day. My oldest owner's manual is for a 'Rude and its dated 1927.

From 1927 until the late 1960's, "fogging" the motor for off-season storage was mentioned in every case. In the old days, with "light" motor oil, and more recently with "fogging oil". In all of those years, draining the fuel tank was recommended because it has always been known that aged fuel degrades.

From about the middle 1970's, in addition to the above, fuel stabilizer was recommended. When that requirement started, the requirement to drain the tank stopped.

I followed those recommendations to the letter, starting with my brand new 1955 Merc. By 1975 (or thereabouts) I started using OMC 2+2, which was the forerunner of StaBil. Never had issues with anything, as long as I followed the directions.

Several years ago I ran out of stabilizer right after winterizing the boats. I said what the heck and left the yard equipment alone with half full tanks. The stuff at home worked OK in the Spring, but that gas was from late Fall anyway. My lawnmower at my cabin had early Spring gas in it, so by next Spring it was at least a year old. All worked OK, except for the cabin mower, which wouldn't run till I got new gas.

Stabilizer = snake oil? Seems to work for me, and be necessary too! And to those that say to run the old crap in your lawnmower (rather than the car or boat) because it won't matter, I say "bunk".

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gas Stabilizer?

It is not the gas in the tank that concerns me really. It is the small amount of fuel in the carb that worries me. I don't want it to gunk up my newly (well 1.5 years) rebuilt carb.

You cannot run a carburetor completely dry. the engine stops before that happens. Air WITH fuel is what causes issues. No air - no problem. Stabilize the fuel, run the engine to get the mix into the fuel system, fog it if you wish and put the beast to bed. A lot of people do a lot of things (or don't do a lot of things) and claim they don't have problems. That does not make it a "safe" thing to do. If you can protect something with something, it doesn't hurt to do it. Certain products do what they are designed to do. Fuel stabilizers fall into that category. Snake oils that promise xx% better fuel economy or xx% better performance, or an engine rebuild in a can are a waste of money.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Gas Stabilizer?

You cannot run a carburetor completely dry. the engine stops before that happens. Air WITH fuel is what causes issues. No air - no problem. Stabilize the fuel, run the engine to get the mix into the fuel system, fog it if you wish and put the beast to bed.

Ummmm. Not sure what you are replying too. Did you read the thread and title? I use the stabilizer mostly to prevent the fuel in the carb that is left over winter from causing problems. I don't try to run my carb out of fuel.

I add my green stabil. Run for about 20 minutes to get it all through the system, fog and then drain water.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Gas Stabilizer?

Less than a year...no need.
More than a year...no need. You should drain the tanks.

I drain the bowls on my small engines(sleds/mowers/blowers) and haven't had a fuel related issue with any of them, even when using "old" gas in the tank.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Gas Stabilizer?

So far I don't think anyone has mentioned ethanol
If you're using non-ethanol gas then no need for stabilizer.
If you're using ethanol gas then a stabilizer/treatment additive is required.
Mercruiser recommend that a stabilizer be added to ethanol fuels stored more than 2 months ( yes - 2 months!).

 

[JimS123]

Re: Gas Stabilizer?

If you're using non-ethanol gas then no need for stabilizer.

Stabilizer was recommended for OB motors 20 years before ethanol gas was even conceived.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Gas Stabilizer?

Less than a year...no need.
More than a year...no need. You should drain the tanks.

I drain the bowls on my small engines(sleds/mowers/blowers) and haven't had a fuel related issue with any of them, even when using "old" gas in the tank.

Same here.

So far I don't think anyone has mentioned ethanol
If you're using non-ethanol gas then no need for stabilizer.
If you're using ethanol gas then a stabilizer/treatment additive is required.
Mercruiser recommend that a stabilizer be added to ethanol fuels stored more than 2 months ( yes - 2 months!).

I have been using E-10 "ethanol gas" for as long as it's been available (and MTBE-gas was discontinued) and I've NEVER used STABIL or any other fuel snake-oil. and have NOT had a fuel related issue.

It's clearly a: "Here's the oil I use and I've never had a problem" It's personal, it's "feel-good" and it's emotional.

I'll never criticize an emotional reason for using anything!

Knock yourself out!

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Gas Stabilizer?

Depends on where you get your fuel from...my marina's pump dispenses ethanol free gasoline