Which stabil should I use regular or marine?

[jeep2001]

I have a 1994 merc 4.3 and wanted to know which stabil should I use. This is my first year with the boat and I was not sure.
Thanks Mike

 

[JimS123]

Re: Which stabil should I use regular or marine?

I've used regular for 20 years with 100% success. Before and after ethanol.

When they came out with the marine version, I chose not to switch since I already had a lot on hand. I won't argue which is better, but until I have a problem I see no reason to switch.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Which stabil should I use regular or marine?

I have a 1994 merc 4.3 and wanted to know which stabil should I use. This is my first year with the boat and I was not sure.
Thanks Mike

Marine StaBil addresses the ethanol issues...which can bite the boat owner faster than the car, or weed whacker, owner.

I know that I only need 1 oz of Marine StaBil for 10 gallons of gas during season, and that is cheap enough insurance for me!

Happy boating!

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Which stabil should I use regular or marine?

http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/stabil/default.aspx

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Which stabil should I use regular or marine?

Neither...

Use SeaFoam instead...I've used it in everything I store over the winter(and it's a looooooong winter in NE Wisconsin!)

 

[Volphin]

Re: Which stabil should I use regular or marine?

As long as you use one of them, you will be fine.

V

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Which stabil should I use regular or marine?

Ya know, it's always kind of bothered me that Stabil's website has almost NO usable information/studies/facts to support their product.

But, yeah, I use the marine formula.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Which stabil should I use regular or marine?

StaBil is marketed as a fuel additive for storage stability. I can't remember a time when I didn't use such a product for winter storage. Back in the 1960's OMC made their version and it was what was recommended by my local dealer.

I switched to StaBil brand years ago when it became readily available in my local hardware store (also cheeper than the OMC version, which was marketed strictly for boats).

The "Marine" StaBil only came out a few years ago. However, we have been using gasohol for many many years, so there is a huge database of usage of the regular version in a marine environment. Is the "new" version better? I dunno!

Seafoam is an engine cleaner. not a gas stabilizer. Their web site does not market the product for adding to gas for winter storage. Does it do a good job of keeping the engine clean? I dunno that either - never tried it. I use Ring Free in my 2-strokes, but I don't see the need to put solvents in a 4-stroke.

Some say that all of this crap is just snake oil. A few years ago I forgot to Stabil my gas can for the lawnmower at the cabin. I DID do it to the mower can at my home. Come Spring the cabin one wouldn't run but the house one did. Fresh gas and all was well again. Nuff proof for me.

 

[jeep2001]

Re: Which stabil should I use regular or marine?

Thanks for all the information, should I just follow the directions on the bottle of the regular stabil for the amount of gas I have? Would a little more be better or would that cause problems?
Mike

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Which stabil should I use regular or marine?

I'd just go with what the mfg. recommends. I'm not sure that adding a bit more would harm anything, except your wallet.

 

[ohioriverat]

Re: Which stabil should I use regular or marine?

I use seafoam in my inboard, never use more than recommended it will not help any better.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Which stabil should I use regular or marine?

Thanks for all the information, should I just follow the directions on the bottle of the regular stabil for the amount of gas I have? Would a little more be better or would that cause problems?
Mike

You double the dose for gas you know will be stored for any amount of time...that is printed in the directions. I do this always, since I can never be sure when I will have the time to go boating again.

Happy boating!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Which stabil should I use regular or marine?

Just so you hear from all "opinions".........

I've used regular for 20 years with 100% success. Before and after ethanol.

I've used neither for 20 years, both before and after ethanol and have had no problems. This seems to work better for my wallet.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Which stabil should I use regular or marine?

Just so you hear from all "opinions".........



I've used neither for 20 years, both before and after ethanol and have had no problems. This seems to work better for my wallet.

Its all about storage conditions, and time stored. In a dry garage, a heated garage, or half*****ed covered in the driveway?

I've had 2 and 3 year old StaBiled gas run fine in my boat, but 1 year old non-StaBiled gas run like crap in my lawn mower.

Dad and Grandpa knew that gas went bad over winter, that's why they always insisted on draining the tanks. So, the NEED has been known for a long time. StaBil may be only a 20 year old product, but their competitors were around long before them.

Is gasohol worse? Depends on who you ask!

A $13 bottle of StaBil last me 2 years. That's for the boats, the old car, lawn mowers and snowblower. MY wallet didn't even know it was gone. Heck, I go thru twice that much in beer every week!!!