Proper way to add fuel stabilizer?
10-12-2006, 08:56 AM
#1
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Proper way to add fuel stabilizer?
Since I've never fuel stabilized to a car before, what's the best way to add the stuff to the gas tank?
1. Fill up the car. Add the proper volume of stabilizer and drive home?
2. Run the car down to half a tank. Add the proper amount of stabilizer for that volume of gas, then gas up the rest of the tank and add the remaining amount of stabilizer that's appropriate for a full tank of gas?
I guess the point of this is...does adding fuel stabilizer to a full tank allow it to mix adequately? Of course, I'd run the engine for a while to assure that stabilized fuel made it way through the lines.
TIA.
1. Fill up the car. Add the proper volume of stabilizer and drive home?
2. Run the car down to half a tank. Add the proper amount of stabilizer for that volume of gas, then gas up the rest of the tank and add the remaining amount of stabilizer that's appropriate for a full tank of gas?
I guess the point of this is...does adding fuel stabilizer to a full tank allow it to mix adequately? Of course, I'd run the engine for a while to assure that stabilized fuel made it way through the lines.
TIA.
10-12-2006, 09:17 AM
#3
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by ProfMoriarty
Since I've never fuel stabilized to a car before, what's the best way to add the stuff to the gas tank?
1. Fill up the car. Add the proper volume of stabilizer and drive home?
2. Run the car down to half a tank. Add the proper amount of stabilizer for that volume of gas, then gas up the rest of the tank and add the remaining amount of stabilizer that's appropriate for a full tank of gas?
I guess the point of this is...does adding fuel stabilizer to a full tank allow it to mix adequately? Of course, I'd run the engine for a while to assure that stabilized fuel made it way through the lines. TIA.
1. Fill up the car. Add the proper volume of stabilizer and drive home?
2. Run the car down to half a tank. Add the proper amount of stabilizer for that volume of gas, then gas up the rest of the tank and add the remaining amount of stabilizer that's appropriate for a full tank of gas?
I guess the point of this is...does adding fuel stabilizer to a full tank allow it to mix adequately? Of course, I'd run the engine for a while to assure that stabilized fuel made it way through the lines. TIA.
Adding stabilizer to a half tank then filling the tank will surely cause quicker mixing, but at a "half tank", you never quite know exactly how many gallons are in there. Gauge is not accurate enough in that regard, so your mix ratio will be off a bit... which may not be such a big problem anyway.
This is an error because you are going to use a ratio based on a full tank anyway - sorry
I added StaBil to a full tank on one of my other cars once, then drove the car for about 10 miles. About 10 months later the car started right up so I guess the StaBil had been mixed well enough.
Another interesting note: I had added StaBil to a full tank on a motorcycle, drove 5 miles or so and then the bike was left sitting for TWO full years. This was not intentional, but due to certain limitations, I was not able to get to the bike sooner than that. Anyway, the bike actually started right up and ran fine!... BUT... the fuel definitely had that "stale fuel" odor, pretty severe. The exhaust actually had that odor too, very strong but engine ran well surprisingly, had excellent throttle response and everything. (This time I simply ran the tank / carbs dry just in case I am not able to get to the bike for over a year again. Bike is indoors so I am not worried about internal fuel system corrosion.)
Last edited by Vet; 10-12-2006 at 11:19 AM.
10-12-2006, 11:13 AM
#4
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Originally Posted by MAJ Z06
Have the level low as possible, add stabil, fill 'er up, drive home. You want the stabil in the lines and the injectors also.
Generally, the directions on fuel additive bottles tell you to pour the proper amount into a partial tank (I would prefer a quarter tank or less), and then fill the tank. The flow of fresh fuel into the tank mixes the additive thoroughly throughout the contents, and the full tank minimizes the amount of water vapor entering the air space and condensing into the tank.
Careful proportioning is un-necessary. The directions tell you how much to use per gallon, but I expect that's a minumum for good effectiveness. Use the specified fuel tank volume (18 gallons) to calculate how much stabilizer to add, pour it in, fill the tank, and you're done.
Last edited by JmpnJckFlsh; 10-12-2006 at 11:22 AM.
10-12-2006, 11:17 AM
#5
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by JmpnJckFlsh
Generally, the directions on fuel additive bottles tell you to pour the proper amount into a partial tank, and to then fill the tank. The flow of fresh fuel into the tank mixes the additive thoroughly throughout the contents, and the full tank minimizes the amount of water vapor entering the air space and condensing into the tank. Careful proportioning is un-necessary. The directions tell you how much to use per gallon, but I expect that's a minumum for good effectiveness. Use the specified fuel tank volume (18 gallons) to calculate how much stabilizer to add, pour it in, fill the tank, and you're done.
I actually made a foolish error in my above post. I agree with JmpnJckFlsh.
10-12-2006, 11:23 AM
#6
Le Mans Master
I add Stabil to a half tank. Drive the car till it is half full again and then add stabil and fill up the tank. This way you are assured that the stabil is in the lines and injectors, etc...After December I always add the stabil if I drive the car cause you never know when it will snow and the car gets stuck in the garage.
Cheap insurance.
Cheap insurance.
10-12-2006, 02:42 PM
#8
Race Director
Because we have 2 saddle tanks,here is what I do.
1. have the fuel level below a quarter tank.
2. Estimate how many gallons it'll take to fill up. (I use fuel stabizer all the time,so it's always in the tanks.)
3. I break the fueling process 4-5 times just to add a premeasured amount to additive. I can hear the transfer pump moving fuel from 1 tank to the other.(Ratio is 2000:1)
I use PRI-G from www.priproducts.com
1. have the fuel level below a quarter tank.
2. Estimate how many gallons it'll take to fill up. (I use fuel stabizer all the time,so it's always in the tanks.)
3. I break the fueling process 4-5 times just to add a premeasured amount to additive. I can hear the transfer pump moving fuel from 1 tank to the other.(Ratio is 2000:1)
I use PRI-G from www.priproducts.com
10-12-2006, 02:54 PM
#9
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St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by cajunspeed
Are some stablizers better then others?
I have used Stabil and Seafoam over many years, and I have found Seafoam to be far better for long term storage and I now use it exclusively, although Stabil is easier to find at retail.
Individual results may vary....
10-12-2006, 03:04 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
I use Sta-Bil, and I think it is 1 oz. to 2 1/2 gal. I put it in before filling the tank.
If it's your first fill of it, just figure how much you need for 18 gallons.
I've been usng it for years.
If it's your first fill of it, just figure how much you need for 18 gallons.
I've been usng it for years.
