Need some advice on fuel additives

[Dave Barnett]

My outboard is running real nice now that I have it all serviced and up to speed. I was just wondering about fuel additives to keep it clean and running smooth. What if any do you use and have the best results with? I appreciate all input. Thanks. Dave

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Need some advice on fuel additives

You're going to get a ton of varying opinions about this one!

As for me: I only use Marine Sta-Bil (blue) year round...solves the ethanol issue and helps keep the fuel 'fresh'.

Happy boating!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need some advice on fuel additives

SeaFoam for me in everthing I own with a gas engine.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Need some advice on fuel additives

I use nice clean gasoline. I siphon any water out of the bottom of the gas tank periodically, and use a water seperator. I check the 2 cycle oil resevoir for water as well.

Additives are mostly snake oil, and are unnecessary for use during the season, if you use clean fuel on a regular basis. There is debate on whether the fuel stabilizers are necessary as well. After all they are a recent invention, and we have had motors for generations, before they came along. Ditto for decarbonizers.

That ought to start something.....

 

[robert graham]

Re: Need some advice on fuel additives

I use the Stabil Marine(Walmart $20/quart) all the time, a bit more for longer periods between motor runnings, a bit less if motor is run frequently. Also use the Yamaha Ringfree all the time, at 1 ounce per 10 gallons of gas, it's a whole lot cheaper than stuck piston rings. That water/fuel separator(Walmart $27) is the best thing since sliced bread for preventive maintenance. I just unscrew it, dump it, and screw it back on, saves having to buy an $8 new canister all the time. I do carry a new spare filter canister on the boat just to be sure. My motor is a 1999 and never had any problems at all with fuel/carbs/otherwise. Good Luck!

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Need some advice on fuel additives

I prefer only Regular Grade Unleaded Gasoline mixed with approved oils mixed at 50:1

The more I can run through it the better.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Need some advice on fuel additives

I run with seafoam most of the time. I will add Startron when I store the boat for the winter.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Need some advice on fuel additives

I use the best thing for any 2 stroke carbed motor.

I run it often and run lots of clean filtered and seperated fuel through it. In four years I've never had a fuel related problem.

With these motors the worst thing you can do is not run them.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Need some advice on fuel additives

how much sea-foam do you guys use for a 5 gal tank? I have always used Sta-bil, but want to make the switch. On my daily runner, I use stabil only toward the end of the season so that I don't have to worry about getting stuck with a carb that needs to be winterized or drained.

On my project motors, or ones I just play with occationally, I never run them without stabil in the gas.

I am right on a lake, and so I will run a motor right up until the ice gets too thick to plow thru. The cottage is on an island, so it is the only option until it gets thick enough to walk over.

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: Need some advice on fuel additives

Just looked on my shelf, and I have 5 or 6 different brands of fuel stabilizer.

I use it on a regular basis, and the amount is a minimum compared to what
would be considered a treatment dose.

I don't think any one brand is better than the rest, anymore.
It's cool to have a favorite, but I don't see any of them as not a winner.

I now buy only when it's on sale, and don't care about the brand.

 

[Dave Barnett]

Re: Need some advice on fuel additives

Thanks a bunch fellas I really appreciate the input. I think I'm going to go with the seafoam. It seems to be the more popular brand. I also am going to add a water/fuel separator.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Need some advice on fuel additives

Dave, Go to: Marine Fuel Additives for lots of information, what's in each one, etc. Seems that the Seafoam is the oldest, most widly accepted one, being made of Naptha, Mineral Spirits(Paint Thinner), alcohol, who knows what else? Most of the Fuel Stabilizers seem to be mostly alcohol. The Stabil Marine is another well-accepted product. Good Luck!

 

[KeyWestSkipper]

Re: Need some advice on fuel additives

"SeaFoam" always struck me as a strange name for the product it is. It isn't a foam, it doesn't foam up, and "foam" just doesn't have any good connotations for something that goes in your engine or gas tank (maybe a fogging oil).

But with that said, I also use it, along with the Marine Stabil.

 

[rosser1]

Re: Need some advice on fuel additives

Sta-bil all year, in every motor i have. Can't go wrong!!

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Need some advice on fuel additives

If there mostly alchol I could see where before ethenol they would dry water from the tank and improve the fuel.

With todays fuel it's alread dosed with alchol... why bother? I could see it if the formulation had changed to be "ethonol improved" but seafoam has been unchanged for what 30 years?