Sta-Bil Fuel Stabilizer - Page 2

Argess · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 04:47 PM

I store my boats longer than I store my car. I never use stabilizer in the boats or car. Never had a carb gum up either.

Stabilizer is great for single cylinder engines that don't like to start on old gas. Multi-cylinder engine will always run on old gas.

But, it certainly doesn't hurt to add it.

SPF2245 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 05:29 PM

I kinda look at Stabil as a $3 option over a couple hundred spent replacing filters, carb seals and the pain of guessing what is wrong when the car won't start in spring. Ofcourse, maybe it is snake oil...but in the past few years using it, I can't attribute any negatives for using it.

Argess · #3 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 05:37 PM

My response got cut short.....I have to admit, I was lazy about things like that, but after many years of not using it, I saw no reason to start. Especially after overhauling a boat carb to find it absolutely spotless. Two strokes are a different story, but I'm not sure wether the problem is from the oil mixed in the fuel, or from storing it for two winters. I've smelt rotten gas before, and it's much older than a year when it gets like that. If I was delibrately going to store my car for two winters, I'd throw some stabilizer in it. Probably would use some of that stuff for boats that you spray down the carb of a running engine until the engine chokes and dies. It coats the cylinder walls.

The only thing I make sure of, is to never store a car with the emergency brake on. Just leave it in 1st gear.

Trueoo7 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 08:46 PM

OK first off, I don't know where you're buying Sta-Bil for $3.00. Up here in the northeast it's more like $6.00-9.00 for 16oz. (but still well worth it) The only thing I would suggest is to make sure you buy the Marine Grade Sta-Bil treatment. (dark blackish color as opposed to the pinkish red) It is especially made for Ethanol treated gas, which we all pretty much have now and can be used in anything except diesel. I've used it for the last five years at home and work with no ill effects whatsoever. Easiest place to find it is at a marina or boat store all though I have seen it in automotive stores too.

SPF2245 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trueoo7

OK first off, I don't know where you're buying Sta-Bil for $3.00. Up here in the northeast it's more like $6.00-9.00 for 16oz. (but still well worth it) The only thing I would suggest is to make sure you buy the Marine Grade Sta-Bil treatment. (dark blackish color as opposed to the pinkish red) It is especially made for Ethanol treated gas, which we all pretty much have now and can be used in anything except diesel. I've used it for the last five years at home and work with no ill effects whatsoever. Easiest place to find it is at a marina or boat store all though I have seen it in automotive stores too.

Go online and get the 32oz bottle for ~$13 and you can treat 4 cars...and you get the value

patrickt · #6 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 05:53 AM

Amazon's got the 8 oz. bottle for $4.99 -- our local big box crap store generally beats that price.

Rare Iron · #7 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 08:34 PM

Well, I didn't read all the posts, but this summer I had several people tell me to use Sea Foam - that it's the best fuel stabilizer out there. I have it in my boat now. Any input on Sea Foam?

BTW, from what I understand, today's fuels begin to break down within a few weeks. Good old leaded fuels used to last MUCH longer.

DAVID GAGNARD · #8 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 04:59 AM

Both my brother's-in-law have been using Sea Foam and swear by it....................... I use my boat and old Mustang often enough that I don't need to add anything to the fuel, but for storage, adding a stabalizer especially to a 2 cycle engine is good insurance.........

David

209 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 09:47 PM

Winter? Boy, I hope to drive mine all through til spring!

Just put the top and curtains on and go.

I hope anyway.......... 209

209 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 09:55 PM

Hey Rodknock,
How about the one she smears his face on her breasts?

Can I say that? That episode will stay in my mind FOREVER!!

razerwire · #11 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 10:56 PM

Does anyone know if ok to use in fuel cell with blader, and if ok with fuel injection with all sensory equipment. I use in all small engines and generators and if I don't they will not start in spring without some cleaning. Also have rough running until old gas used or diluted.

67FEfastback · #12 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 11:41 PM

I use it every year in my boat. (2 containers, fill up the tank - less condensation)
I use another product called storage seal. I run it through the engine, after I shut off the fuel until the engine runs itself dry (coats the cylinders & internals with oily film)
Then pour just a little 2 stroke oil into the fuel injection dist. block.

Loosend the fan belts, change the fuel filter.

Boats tend to be a little more moist and stored outside. Plus the boat engine is 40K to replace and it's too big to paddle if it breaks down in the ocean. It's a minimal amount of work.
I've done it every year I owned it. Never har a break down due to fuel issues. Most boat engine failures are due to bad (old) gas or contaminated fuel.

If your car is garage kept and does not have fuel injection, maybe some of this is not necessary. Cheap insurance....

SP01715 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razerwire

Does anyone know if ok to use in fuel cell with blader, and if ok with fuel injection with all sensory equipment. I use in all small engines and generators and if I don't they will not start in spring without some cleaning. Also have rough running until old gas used or diluted.

Not sure about the blader, but my boat is injected and I use it every year.

dcdoug · #14 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 08:49 AM

Anybody tried this stuff? http://www.amazon.com/Mouse-Away-Sol...sr=8-2-catcorr

Or mothballs or dryer anti-cling inserts

patrickt · #15 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcdoug

Anybody tried this stuff? http://www.amazon.com/Mouse-Away-Sol...sr=8-2-catcorr

Or mothballs or dryer anti-cling inserts

Do not laugh, but if you simply ask somebody that has a cat if you could have their bag of old, used cat litter and then put some of it in an aluminum pie tin on your garage floor mice will stay away better than anything you can buy in a store.

dcdoug · #16 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Do not laugh, but if you simply ask somebody that has a cat if you could have their bag of old, used cat litter and then put some of it in an aluminum pie tin on your garage floor mice will stay away better than anything you can buy in a store.

I have two cats, so that shouldn't be a problem......Anybody else that wants to come clean out my litter boxes, feel free

patrickt · #17 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcdoug

I have two cats, so that shouldn't be a problem......Anybody else that wants to come clean out my litter boxes, feel free

Well then you know cat pee is pretty pungent.

The flip side of that coin can also be true. It's an old trick with a new rabbit trap to take a rabbit, slit open the bladder, and sprinkle your new trap with it. That's probably not politically correct anymore though....

dcdoug · #18 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Well then you know cat pee is pretty pungent.

The flip side of that coin can also be true. It's an old trick with a new rabbit trap to take a rabbit, slit open the bladder, and sprinkle your new trap with it. That's probably not politically correct anymore though....

So if I use cat pee in my garage maybe 20 cats will be living in my garage 2 months later?

WarrenG · #19 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcdoug

Anybody tried this stuff? http://www.amazon.com/Mouse-Away-Sol...sr=8-2-catcorr

Or mothballs or dryer anti-cling inserts

Doug,
I've got that stuff in the engine compartments of all of our vehicles including the lawn tractor. So far I haven't had any mouse problems since placing them. Of course, the lawn tractor is also surrounded by traps baited with peanut butter which have taken out almost two dozen mice!(Don't tell PETA

) I've also got a couple of Rat Zappers and they've been pretty good about getting rid of the mice. In the basement utility room. Just be fully covered, I caught a garter (might be gopher, not sure) snake at my neighbor's house and transfered it under the shed the tractor is stored in. Thought it might cut down on the number of mice that actually get in the shed. Come to think of it, I haven't caught a mouse in the shed since I put that snake there!

patrickt · #20 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenG

So far I haven't had any mouse problems since placing them. ... I've also got a couple of Rat Zappers and they've been pretty good about getting rid of the mice. ... I haven't caught a mouse in the shed since I put that snake there....

One of my favorite novels... "Of Mice and Men."