When to use Stabil

[Scotchman]

My Cobra's been sitting for 60 days now. Premium in the tank. How long will the premium last, and when should I use the Stabil treatment ? It's the longest I've ever gone without driving it.

[Karl Bebout]

Fuggit the Stability and get out and drive the car!

[jwd]

Fuel is formulated to last over 1 year. Additives are a waste of money. I've never used any and have never had any fuel related issues in everything from cars & boats to lawn equipment.

[Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB]

Scotty, fuel should last at least 1 year. Higher octane fuel should last longer. My 114 octane fuel tank for the NOS has lated 3+ years. I only use Stabil in my 2 gallon gas can for the lawn mower which takes about 3 years to use up. Small grass area.

AZ Bob

[Fitz]

Other then running the car I would suggest using the additive you you are storing the car for long period. Being around boats the old fuel does affect the injectors and the big block 8.2 Liter and Mag Engine inherit smooth running issues if not run.
My car has been sitting too long as well. I go out and want to take a spin but too dam hot and I need to get it to Levy to paint noise but too hot to drive and I am re-working now. Already tired of this fricking heat!?! :~(

[Fast289]

Fitz, I will drive it to Gordon's for you!!!!!

Dave from Chandler.

[venum14]

I will probably open a can of worms with this posting...with the additional of ethanol in our fuels all bets are off on fuel life. The ethanol attracts moisture and causes massive corrosion in the fuel system. If you have an older Holley carb made from zinc you will know what I mean.

For over 15 yrs , I have been adding Stabil to my fuel for the Cobra, lawn mower and my five off-road motorcycles, it is cheap insurance. Prolongs the fuel life and helps to reduce the corrosion.

Many opinions out there...just do a quick search of ethanol added to gasoline and you might be surprised of the interactions. I am somewhat biased as well, 25 years working for a OEM supplier of fuel filters/assemblies. The 'new' gasoline w/ethanol changes everything.

[Xack]

Check out the latest edition of "Street Rodder Magazine". Article there that goes through many different additives and explains pros and cons and very much the issue of corrosion.

[ItBites]

Fuel does not last 1 year. The new gas isn't even gasoline. I don't know what it is, once it is reformulated and has the MTBE added, but it aint gas. I let my vette sit for a year once and found yellow jello in the lines and filter. I have some a couple of quad motors that are sensitive to gas quality and they won't even run off fuel that has sat in their tanks or jugs for 2 months, but go buy fresh fuel and they fire right up. Fuel does not last more than 2 months in my opinion. I have had good luck with stabil. I would put it in now.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by venum14

I will probably open a can of worms with this posting...with the additional of ethanol in our fuels all bets are off on fuel life. The ethanol attracts moisture and causes massive corrosion in the fuel system. If you have an older Holley carb made from zinc you will know what I mean.

For over 15 yrs , I have been adding Stabil to my fuel for the Cobra, lawn mower and my five off-road motorcycles, it is cheap insurance. Prolongs the fuel life and helps to reduce the corrosion.

Many opinions out there...just do a quick search of ethanol added to gasoline and you might be surprised of the interactions. I am somewhat biased as well, 25 years working for a OEM supplier of fuel filters/assemblies. The 'new' gasoline w/ethanol changes everything.

Interesting BUT, in the most of the country, they've added ethanol to the fuel for decades. A good friend is an engineer/chemist at the local refinery. I don't deal with "opinions", I deal with "FACTS". Ethanol also raises the octane of the gas as it has an octane rating of 108. You can add Stabil if you like or you can send me the money you would have spent on it and still have the same results and I'll get some extra gas money.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by ItBites

Fuel does not last 1 year. The new gas isn't even gasoline. I don't know what it is, once it is reformulated and has the MTBE added, but it aint gas. I let my vette sit for a year once and found yellow jello in the lines and filter. I have some a couple of quad motors that are sensitive to gas quality and they won't even run off fuel that has sat in their tanks or jugs for 2 months, but go buy fresh fuel and they fire right up. Fuel does not last more than 2 months in my opinion. I have had good luck with stabil. I would put it in now.

MTBE was banned 10 years ago. I just drove my dual quad Corvette today and it ran perfectly. The last time I put gas in it was Sept. of last year. There's lots of misinformation and just plain B.S. out there regarding ethanol. Get the facts.

[Scotchman]

Is there a downside to using Stabil, besides the 5 bucks it cost me ?

[vatdevil]

No issue on the Stabil.. If you keep the tank full, that will lessen the fuel breakdown. Less oxygen.

[motordean]

Originally Posted by Scotchman

Is there a downside to using Stabil, besides the 5 bucks it cost me ?

I use stabil over the winter only. It is not much more expensive than the stupidly priced gas and it cannot hurt the car. I know gas should last a year, but as others mentioned above there is so much garbage added to it these days nothing is 4 sure....

Saying that, it is a waste to add it now. Go romp on it for an hour or two and use up the older gas. The go fill up and add the Stabil if it is going to sit again as it is most effective when it is put in new gas...

[Danr55]

Scotty, you asked an interesting question and I've done some research. It appears that Stabil is primarily mineral spirits in a naptha carrier. From everyone I've talked with, Seafoam Gas Treatment is easier on your fuel system and serves the same purpose.

[Scotchman]

Thanks guys. The answer I'm left with is that it may not be needed , but it won't hurt, and could save a lot of work down the road.

[Scotchman]

Thanks Dan,
I'll check it out. Any opinions out there on SeaFoam ?

[Karl Bebout]

If you are from Minnnnnesota or Visconsin, you love Sea Foam. Never even heard of the stuff until my employer (CSK Auto) bought a bunch of auto parts stores over there, and they sold the livin' bejeezus out of the stuff in the fall. It is now sold in lotsa stores and must be a nice profit driver.

[ItBites]

jwd

You don't live in Phoenix. I suspect the reaction rate of breakdown of the fuel is, like most chemical reactions, strongly dependent on temperature (think activation energy). Your experience is likely affected by your local ambient conditions. Here in Phoenix, my garage is usually over 115degF during the day. As I recall, many chemical reactions double their rate for every 10degF of increase. Your friend being a chemist, working for one of the gasoline suppliers, may have a bias. I have heard many salesmen tell me everything is fine, but in reality, what we have now does not last as long as what we used to get. The fuel seller always say the next generation is better, just trust them. Hahaha. If you have not run comparative aging tests yourself, maybe you should. I have direct experience in Phoenix temperatures, not what I was told by someone else.

[1985 CCX]

Use a quality fuel (Race) like CamII as it is leaded and does not spoil like today's fuels..... Great for long storage.