Fuel Stabilizer - BS or Saviour?

[redstuff]

Ok, I can't for the life of me remember where or when I read it but I'm sure I read somewhere that stabilzer is a waste of time and money. Personally I've never used the stuff. I've had bikes parked over winter (6-7 months no running or riding), my old hot rodded 2nd car, lawn mowers, you name it, and never drained the gas or filled the tank before parking, and have never had trouble. Get in or on and fire it up. Rarely ever had to charge a battery either. My kid saw the commercials for Stabil and wants it for the lawn tractor because you need it dad! Then today the guys at work are talking about parking their bikes and yeah, gotta add the Sea Foam or Stabil. Snake oil I say. Of course a little discussion heats up on how stupid I am (yeah, like in an insurance company any of these guys are mechanics - not!) and that it's "saved my bacon" and crap. My chainsaw...uh, yeah dunce, but that's a 2 stroke. I can see that being a problem what with having mixed the gas with oil, and have had that one myself. Now I just run the 2 strokes dry before winter.

Anyone here know the answer? All I can find on the net is stuff like this http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question...1182102AAW6fXx which of course says you gotta have it! (I like that if it, your car/bike sits for 2 weeks your gas needs a stabilizer, and that it turns to jello if you don't...never seen that happen - 2 years maybe.) Kinda like global warming. It must be true. I found it on the internet.

Or am I totally off my rocker and just can't manage to find my way out my own arse?

...could parlay this into the water conversion...sorry, hydrogen conversion thing my dad keeps asking about that he seen on the net. You can make your own with parts from this list (only $69.95 order now!!) and convert your car to run on hydrogen (ie. water). I wanna shake my head and cuss him out. But he's my dad. Sucker born every minute and I'm either surrounded by them or I'm teh one who's dumber than your average high school girl (when it comes to cars).

[GMCSonoma]

Sta-Bil is the only stuff to use, and yes it works!!!


E10 gasoline which is very-very popular for fuel, degrades quickly, after about 3 weeks...

[redstuff]

Unfortunately for me then I might be screwed this winter LOL. I buy my gas in the US which is all min 10% ethanol. Maybe I should buy my lawn mower gas on this side where I can still get non-E fuel.

Or is running them dry another alternative?

[AMERICA 123]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

Sta-Bil is the only stuff to use, and yes it works!!!

E10 gasoline which is very-very popular for fuel, degrades quickly, after about 3 weeks...

2nd all that.

There was a creditable ad hoc report that showed degradation in as little as 9 days after pumping but it was attributed to delays in the distribution system.

If you are buying fuel in one of the EPA's top two or three rated dirty air zones your gasoline can break down as much in 30 - 90 days post production as it did over a years time in the 60s.

Stabil works if you put it in with a relatively 'fresh' load, nothing works if degradation has already occurred and gone past a certain point.

If you try and burn your way thru fuel that's gone bad 'without some help' you will more than likely not like the end result - especially if you have any emissions control equipment - its a fabulous way to gunk up everything from an EGR valve to a Catalytic converter.

On two of the oldsters remaining around here in one location which are hardly driven at this point, I'm down to having to drop and purge the tank every 12 -18 months any way although this situation is compounded by the need to use a lead substitute.

Av Gas compared to the above is a lot more stable - using 100LL plus Sta-Bil has given the best overall result by far.

[knightfan26917]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

Sta-Bil is the only stuff to use, and yes it works!!!

*nods*

Yep. I hadn't used it the first couple years of storing cars, but then a friend told me about Sta-Bil ... and the only start-up issues in the spring that I've experienced since then were battery-related. So, near the last drive of the year, I fill up with gas and add the Sta-Bil. Sometimes, I put half of the Sta-Bil in before I fill up, then half after I fill up....



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