gas stabilizer (sta-bil) questions

I normally store 7 vehicles (cars/bikes/trucks) for 5-7 midwest winter months and of course can only operate them all, sparingly in the summer. I've used Stabil but prefer Sea Foam. It is also a fuel stabilizer but helps clean out carbon and gunk as well. I normally run a little in my fuel all the time, just up the amount when it comes time for storage. I can still buy non-Ethanol regular and premium and avoid corn fuel whenever possible, especially the fuel I'm using for storage.

My storage is temp. controlled so it reduces the amount of condensation / water forming inside the tank from repetitive heating and cooling cycles. Bare concrete can also seep moisture and I've witnessed vehicles that look fine on the outside but are badly corroded underneath and underhood from being parked for long periods over a weeping floor. I also subscribe to a small amount of storage fuel. It takes less stabilizer to treat it and can be more readily diluted with fresh fuel come spring. The last couple years, I throw in some 360 Stabil as added protection for the exposed inside surfaces of the tank. I've never had a problem with getting anything running again once it turns nice.

 

First, it is best to get real gasoline (no alcohol) for storage. Alcohol in fuels really limits their life and makes a mess of things in short order.

Fuel stabilizers are an absolute necessity if you're going to keep a modern fuel with alcohol in it for any time. It's amazing how quickly that stuff can turn to junk..

While Seafoam claims to be a cleaner and fuel stabilizer, and it may be to some extent, look up the MSDS on the stuff... It's basically some pale oil (about half) Napthia (30%) and isopropyl alcohol (15%) in a can... Here is a link...

http://www.interstatedrilling.com/Documents/Sea%20Foam%20Sales%20Company%20Sea%20Foam%20Motor%20treatment.pdf

Just one whiff of Seafoam and you can tell it has a lot of alcohol in it, it smells just like rubbing alcohol.. I'm sure it would suck up any condensate that got into the fuel in storage, but it's probably not the best fuel stabilizer in the world.

In the past I tried to look up what was in Sta bil, but all I found was that it is made up of some "light petroleum distillate" and couldn't figure out what that was for sure. I've used it for storage over winters and it worked fine, the car started and ran normally after storage.

What I do is take the car and get a full tank of fuel with no ethanol in it and add the appropriate amount of Sta Bil, drive home and then put the car up for the winter. Probably belt and suspenders, but you don't want to have to clean up the mess that you have if fuel goes bad in a modern car.

 

Decades of experience. Whatever: Do not drain and run dry. Chain saw,weed wacker,generator,blower,tractor,car,boat. 91 no ethanol if you can get it. Add the stabil to the can first and always. Fill full,run,shut down,charge battery. No start up problems ever. Stabil told me good gas with stabil is good for up to 2 years. I pour it into my truck if its sitting in cans for a year. Not the 2 stroke stuff of course. Guarantee my tractor will start up just fine after 6 mo on the first key. Just shake my head when people say nothing works fall or spring. End of season,oil change,grease,filters,plugs,good gas,etc. Start up and go or whine and call the local dealer. I enjoy no rush getting my hands on it. GTS Bruce

 

Spot on advice. I have been doing the same for years with no problems whatsoever. Use non ethanol gasoline in all vehicles with Sta-bil including small engines. Ethanol destroyed my 1985 Honda three wheeler's carburetor.

 

I believe in Stabil for one reason. I bought a 1986 911 Carrera from a retired college professor in Arizona. He had some health issues that he had resolved and the car had sat idle for 5 years in his garage without him being able to drive it. He put some Stabil in it before he stored it in the garage.They replaced the battery and it fired up fine to load into the transporter and I drove it and topped it off with fresh gas when it arrived to me. Ive had it for years and never have had any issues with it. I figure if it can save gas for 5 years enough to run fine it must work.

 

I never used any additive in the past 3 decades and never had any problem. The cars were filled up beginning of winter with low/non ethanol fuel, that was it. Never had any problem, neither with carbed cars nor FI cars. The latter starting immediately, the former needing the carbs to fill completely again. Might be mentioned that my cars are stored in a heated environment during winter.

Cheers, Bernhard

P.S.: I neither use lead substitute additives. After opening my Jarama engine recently after 25 years of spirited use I fould the (brass) valve seats knocked down just a very little bit (less than 1/10 mm).