Sta-bil question
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
A lot of people swear by it. I have cleaned lots of carbs with stabil that turned green and sticky...I do not use it personally...an open can only has a 2 yr. shelf life, and fresh stabil is only good for 12 mths...too much risk of old product going bad IMO.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Sta-bil question
Thanks, here in Fl they recommend sta-bil for just about everything with a carb. What I am concerned about is putting it in the tank with the 82 cfi. Will it cause any problems clogging the injectors, if it is driven periodically?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Butler Pa
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
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From: Syracuse NY
My Car and Motorcycle sit for 4-6 months at a time due to our extended winters. Ive also had to let them sit for 14 months due to deployments. Ive been using Stabil, in COPIOUS amounts for years now with great results. Ive only had 1 issue with long term storage, the accelerator pump on my Q-jet froze up on me one winter, so now I give the throttle linkage a quick jiggle every few weeks or so.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
I don't use fuel additives so much for GASOLINE stability so much as ETHANOL stability.
My 10.5:1 engine requires 93 Octane, so getting "pure" gas from my local Southern States is not a possibility (only carry 87 Octane).
I use Sta-Bil 360 which stabilizes the fuel (which I don't care about), treats the ethanol (which I DO care about), and also emits a vapor that, among other things, treats the inside of the steel fuel tank above the fuel line to prevent oxidation.
Ethanol is the enemy of old stuff.
My 10.5:1 engine requires 93 Octane, so getting "pure" gas from my local Southern States is not a possibility (only carry 87 Octane).
I use Sta-Bil 360 which stabilizes the fuel (which I don't care about), treats the ethanol (which I DO care about), and also emits a vapor that, among other things, treats the inside of the steel fuel tank above the fuel line to prevent oxidation.
Ethanol is the enemy of old stuff.
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Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 590
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From: Colonial Beach Virginia
Keep in mind that there is a different Sta-Bil for gas with ethanol. I have used it when winterizing my marine engines (twin 454's) for 10 years now. No issues, never needed a carb rebuild. I recommend only using it if your laying a motor up for 3-4 months. Otherwise not worth it.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 201
From: Waterford Mi
I have been using it for years in my boat but the last two years I am finding crystals in my fuel filter, my friend came across a old bottle in his garage and it looked like the same crystals in the bottom of it. Not sure if it is but why take a chance so I am pulling the tank this spring and I don't plan on using it any more. If you use 94 octane when you put it a way for a few months then you don't need it anyway
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
The only time I would ever use Sta-bil again would be for long term storage i.e. a year or more. Gas doesn't go "bad" sitting for a few months over winter. Beer will though but I'm not using Sta-bil for that either.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
As I mentioned, I believe ethanol treatment is considerably more critical than stabilizing gasoline unless said tank of gasoline will be sitting for a long time.
More than 6 months or a year, I mean.
And then the ONLY reason I'd be compelled to run fuel stabilizer would be to combat varnishing inside the tasty bits that I can't otherwise drain.
Not a perfect solution, but its something.
Simple gas stabilization for winter storage is not necessary.
Ethanol treatment at all times and particularly for winter storage may not be perfect in everyone's mind, but I politely submit that helps more than it hurts.
More than 6 months or a year, I mean.
And then the ONLY reason I'd be compelled to run fuel stabilizer would be to combat varnishing inside the tasty bits that I can't otherwise drain.
Not a perfect solution, but its something.
Simple gas stabilization for winter storage is not necessary.
Ethanol treatment at all times and particularly for winter storage may not be perfect in everyone's mind, but I politely submit that helps more than it hurts.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
sta-bil question
I am told by small engine mechanics that in Fl due to the hot and humid weather that fuel stabilizer is needed in any engine small or large that may sit for a while. As I do not drive my 82 a lot I am looking for thoughts on if sta-bil or sta-bil 360 would be good to put in the tank and will either have an effect on the cfi.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
I started using Stabil when I was a service writer at a local Harley Davisdon dealership. We would get 7-8 bikes in every summer season (after winter storage) with gummed up carbs. None of the users used Stabil. The guys who used Stabil never had carb issues. I see your point, but Its never caused me any storage issues and appears to be either cheap insurance or a cheap placebo, but either way Ive never had negative results.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,124
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From: Western New York
I, too, use Stabil. Been putting it in my Vette, boat, tractor, 4 wheeler, and garden tractor for as long as I can remember, and that's a long time. The machines get put away around here in mid October and don't come out until mid April or the beginning of May. I've never had a carb or fuel related problem with any of them. Good luck.
Duane
Duane
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,166
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From: Long Island
I've used Stabil for years with no problem. My 85 sat for 4 months and was real unhappy when fired up in the Spring, no problems just did not like the gas. 383 roller 540HP with a carb. The rest of the vehicles and tools had ho issues.
As mentioned above the real problem is the Alcohol in the gas, it absorbs water. Which as we all know can do bad things .. especially rust things.
As mentioned above the real problem is the Alcohol in the gas, it absorbs water. Which as we all know can do bad things .. especially rust things.
Last edited by BLUE1972; Jan 7, 2016 at 08:59 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,504
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From: Butler Pa
I, too, use Stabil. Been putting it in my Vette, boat, tractor, 4 wheeler, and garden tractor for as long as I can remember, and that's a long time. The machines get put away around here in mid October and don't come out until mid April or the beginning of May. I've never had a carb or fuel related problem with any of them. Good luck.
Duane
Duane
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,504
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa