any deleterious effects of Sta-Bil? | FerrariChat

any deleterious effects of Sta-Bil?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Pantdino, Dec 24, 2010.

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  1. Pantdino

    Pantdino Formula 3

    Jan 13, 2004
    2,069
    Full Name:
    Jim
    I use Sta-Bil gas stabilizer whenever I gas up my classic cars because I never know how long that gas will be in there.

    Has anyone ever heard of any deleterious effects of using it?

    I know some gas additives used to build up on spark plugs, etc

    Jim
     
  2. Ferrari Tech

    Ferrari Tech Formula 3

    Mar 5, 2010
    1,215
    Georgia
    Full Name:
    Wade Williams
    I have used and recommend Sta-Bil for some time and have had no deleterious effects. I have used it in old cars, generators, race cars, & boats. Long time storage and things I know will be using the fuel faster. I would not let a car sit without it. I have never used any other brand than Sta-Bil.
     
  3. Norm512TR

    Norm512TR Formula Junior

    Nov 10, 2001
    895
    Colorado Springs, Colorado
    Full Name:
    Norm
    DELETERIOUS!?!

    Guess we know who got a "Word a Day" calendar for Christmas :)
     
  4. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    +1
    I didn't respond to this thread because I was too lazy to look up the definition!!!!
     
  5. mseals

    mseals Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 9, 2007
    24,468
    Kuwait
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    Mike Seals
    Jim,

    You ain't from around here... are ya....?

    :D

    Mike
     
  6. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 27, 2001
    5,516
    Duluth, MN
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    The Meister
    I use it every year in all my cars. As an FWI, they do now make an Ethanol/Marine specific blend which I have not looked into yet, but witht he increase in E/blends in gas, I might check it out.
     
  7. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Jan 20, 2004
    40,432
    Purgatory
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    Clifford Gunboat
    I's mostly naphtha, whats the prob?
     
  8. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    I have never used this stuff. Most my car sits or any other gas power equipment is maybe 2-3 months . Never have any start or gummed up carb issues. I guess I would wonder why you would use in being in LA. Merry Christmas.
     
  9. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

    Jul 26, 2009
    5,401
    Ahwatukee, AZ
    deleterious = bad
     
  10. Pantdino

    Pantdino Formula 3

    Jan 13, 2004
    2,069
    Full Name:
    Jim
    I'm not a fuel expert, but I would think a warm climate might cause faster degradation of gasoline than a cooler one. Most chemical reactions occur at a faster rate with increased temperature and the smaller molecules will tend to evaporate faster in warm temps.

    I don't know what effect of sub-zero temps on gas is, so I can't comment on that issue.

    I use it mainly because once I had to get an MGB smogged and by smelling the gas cap the guy could tell the gas was past it's prime and was likely going to be a problem in passing the smog test. Since then I have been using StaBil, but I can't say with certainty that its necessary.

    Jim
     
  11. Pantdino

    Pantdino Formula 3

    Jan 13, 2004
    2,069
    Full Name:
    Jim
    medical journals tend to use high-falootin' words :)
     
  12. willrace

    willrace Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 21, 2006
    34,791
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    Kurt
    Dang, now I gotta look-up "high-falootin".........
     
  13. sammyb

    sammyb Formula 3

    Jun 23, 2006
    1,857
    Where wife tells me
    Full Name:
    Sam
    Sta-bil is pretty harmless stuff.

    As for how long fuel will last, it depends mostly on geography, but for not the obvious reasons. While temperature and humidity certainly affect fuel longevity, it's more about the state and local requirements regarding the ethanol and additive content. In California and Washington, where oxygenated fuels are mostly required, the shelf-life diminishes. CA is worse than WA, because the higher heat helps to break-down the gas.

    Sta-bil isn't a miracle worker. While it will keep fuel from breaking down as quickly as without, if you're storing your vehicle in hot conditions with winter blend fuels with few additives (like grocery store gas), even a stabilizer can't prevent the quality from fairly rapid degradation after about six months.

    That being said, I've run cars on five year old gas with no problems ;).
     
  14. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 20, 2003
    52,398
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    Full Name:
    Dirty Harry
    Gadzooks! Ne'er high-falootin', ya galoot.

    Accepted usage pronounced with apostrophe, but spelled with or without apostrophe;

    high falutin' *or* high-falutin' *or* highfalutin'

    This POA/PSA [Puttin' On Airs/Public Service Announcement] has been an example of high falutin'.
     

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