Sta-Bil Fuel Stabilizer

zzmac · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 02:40 PM

In a few weeks, it'll be getting near that time again to put the Cobra away for the winter.

Some people on another forum were saying that using STA-BIL the fuel stabilizer was a waste of time especially with premium unleaded fuel.

What do you scientific experts here on CC have to say about this product. Use it or don't?

ENTDOC · #2 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 02:48 PM

assuming you are not going to start it again anytime soon, I would use stabil and let it run through the carb and then cut off the fuel supply so carb is now dry., much like you should do with your other power equipment.

Bob In Ct · #3 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 02:49 PM

It also keeps the elephants away. Just fill the tank to the top before storage.

Just my $0.02.

Bob

Gunner · #4 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob In Ct

It also keeps the elephants away.

Just the thing for everyone plagued by Hemis.

SP01715 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 03:15 PM

I use it in my boat every year (sits for 6+ months in the winter) and I think it works. Never had the old gas smell, and it fires right up and runs fine.

patrickt · #6 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 03:20 PM

I put my car away in a sealed bag from Thanksgiving to Easter. The last thing I do is put a bottle of StaBil in it, fill the tank, and run it about 20 miles. C'mon, the bottle costs about $3, and I think it works. I also disconnect the battery, pull the wooden steering wheel off (it's a quick release hub) and put an extra ten pounds of air in the tires. I put fresh desiccant in the bag each year to keep it bone dry. That's all I do.

dcdoug · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

I put my car away in a sealed bag from Thanksgiving to Easter.

No desire for a drive on those 50-60 degree days we always get in Feb?

dcdoug · #8 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 03:15 PM

How long would you store it with a full tank before considering Stabil? I am hoping to drive it occasionally this winter....

Mastiff107 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 03:40 PM

I use it in everything. I've used it in small outboards and not used it in the same motor previous year. Without it, the gas turned to varnish and I was screwed. With it, in the same motor the following year gas was good after winter. I use it in everything I don't drive for more than 2 months in the winter to include outboards (2); hot rod; cobra; Harley; mowers; trimers; edgers etc. I outa own stock. Guarantee you one thing, it don't hurt anything.

dcdoug · #10 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 03:57 PM

I guess there's no harm in using it. If I put it in with a full tank, then drive it for 20 miles at some point during the winter, should I put more stabil in, or just fill the tank up to full again?

Oh, do any of you use those products to keep mice away (sort of like mothballs for mice)?

RodKnock · #11 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzmac

What do you scientific experts here on CC have to say about this product. Use it or don't?

Well, I was not surprised that our resident Director of Scientific Expertise, Patrick, would post on this thread.

One thing you can definitely say about Patrick is that he prepares his cars methodically for Winter. Taking before and after Winter pics of your rotors in conjunction with the rest of his Winter prep routine sounds very anal to me.

But what do I know. 55-65 degree days in Winter are very common in CA.

patrickt · #12 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Taking before and after Winter pics of your rotors in conjunction with the rest of his Winter prep routine sounds very anal to me.

No, that is part of the joy of owning a Cobra.

Kind of like treating the leather seats....

RodKnock · #13 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 04:52 PM

As for the Sta-Bil, personally, I'd save the $3 and buy a protein shake and a shot of wheat grass. Keep YOU in Winter shape, don't woory about the Cobra. It's only a few months until Spring.

patrickt · #14 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 04:57 PM

Hmmm, I'm not sure why my car bag & StaBil irritates you so... but clearly it does.

RodKnock · #15 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Hmmm, I'm not sure why my car bag & StaBil irritates you so... but clearly it does.

I think your Winter prep is great. Meticulous in fact. I like the bag idea, even thought about it myself. However, I just think most gas and oil additives are a waste of money and only generate profits for the company, though I'll never be able to prove it.

Argess · #16 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Taking before and after Winter pics of your rotors in conjunction with the rest of his Winter prep routine sounds very anal to me.

I look at mine.....3 times. Once in the Fall, again in the Spring before I drive it, and then again after the first drive. Odd how the 1st and last times, they look the same.....just that darn middle time.

If you ignore the boat related stuff, here's a decent checklist:

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/Casey/37.htm

A good tip from the link, is to leave the gastank full to reduce condensation and save the tank from corrosion.

By the way, if the mice want in, nothing will stop them. I've had them chew through one of those thick plastic tupperware containers to get to Christmas Chocolate Balls.....probably drawn by the rum content, but how they smelled through the tupperware.....

I do have mice in my garage once the weather gets cold. Quite disconcerting to be standing by the workbench tinkering with something and have a mouse run by, or be on your back under the car and one runs past your ear....LOL. But they havn't attacked the Cobra yet. No food to draw them to it I guess.

Try peanut butter on mouse traps. Sometimes they clean it up without the trap going off, but soemtimes they don't.

And I guarentee you, if you leave a bucket of antifreeze around, by spring you will have several drowned mice in the bottom.

WarrenG · #17 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 07:57 AM

I think it's easiest to just drive it once every two weeks. No need for the top. Even at 17F you just need to put a coat on! No problems with the mower, chipper, or tractor either. Just start them once in a while.

dcdoug · #18 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenG

I think it's easiest to just drive it once every two weeks. No need for the top. Even at 17F you just need to put a coat on! No problems with the mower, chipper, or tractor either. Just start them once in a while.

I am generally with Warren, but then this is my first winter with the Cobra.....although I wouldn't drive it if the roads have been salted recently and no rain has come to wash it away. I was bike commuting (30mph for stretches) last winter and survived on 30 degree days, so it can't be much colder than that. I do have the FE to keep me warm after all.

Warren, you can drive down to my house and we can go on a popsicle cruise.

Here is another link on car winterizing: http://www.triple-c.com/Winter_Car_S...John_Twist.cfm

patrickt · #19 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argess

I look at mine.....3 times. Once in the Fall, again in the Spring before I drive it, and then again after the first drive. Odd how the 1st and last times, they look the same.....just that darn middle time.

The real reason I took the time to actually photograph them before I put the car in the bag, and then compare them a good 5 months later when I pulled it out of the bag, was to see if the ads that say the desiccant "prevents all rust, blah, blah, blah" were true, partially true, or totally false. Rotors are a good benchmark because, when the weather is just right (meaning that rainy/drizzly/fog/temp-just-right weather) the rotors on my other cars will surface rust overnight to such a degree that it's almost hard to believe. You can even hear the rust coming off on the pads on the drive down the street.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenG

I think it's easiest to just drive it once every two weeks. No need for the top. Even at 17F you just need to put a coat on!

Well, you get the blue-balls award for that. I question whether my car would even start in 17 degree weather. I question whether I would start in 17 degree weather. Plus, once we've had our first taste of snow or ice they put some sort of crap on the street that is just horrible and seems to stay there until the heavy Spring rains wash it all away.

WarrenG · #20 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Well, you get the blue-balls award for that. I question whether my car would even start in 17 degree weather. I question whether I would start in 17 degree weather. Plus, once we've had our first taste of snow or ice they put some sort of crap on the street that is just horrible and seems to stay there until the heavy Spring rains wash it all away.

I don't know what they put on the roads here, but since I tend to take it out after the commuters have gone to work (or home) it seems like most of that stuff has been picked up by their cars.

I don't end up with too much to clean off after a run.