Question about using Stabil
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Question about using Stabil
I'm going to be storing my '85 for almost a whole year and i've read up info on other threads about what to do, but one thing has me still concerned. I really dont want my fuel system to get gunked up while i'm away and the only viable solution mentioned before was to fill the tank and put Stabil in it. How is this going to help? Sounds like snake oil to me. 
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 639
Likes: 1
From: Brookfield CT NCM#522998
I'm going to be storing my '85 for almost a whole year and i've read up info on other threads about what to do, but one thing has me still concerned. I really dont want my fuel system to get gunked up while i'm away and the only viable solution mentioned before was to fill the tank and put Stabil in it. How is this going to help? Sounds like snake oil to me.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
If anyone will start it up and take it for a spin around the block it'll be my parents, not sure I should trust them. Mom thought her V6 Mercedes was the fastest thing around and Dad is an accident prone idiot who likes to blame everything on other people 
I think storage is best, if need be i'll see if I can come home for a weekend or something. I fully plan on buying a new battery next year.
I think storage is best, if need be i'll see if I can come home for a weekend or something. I fully plan on buying a new battery next year.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 10
From: Edmonton, Alberta
I use Stabil over the winter (6-7 months)and a C-Tek charger on mine.
Never had an issue, After you add it you should just run the car around the block to make sure the Stabil gets to all the fuel injectors.
Jim
Never had an issue, After you add it you should just run the car around the block to make sure the Stabil gets to all the fuel injectors.
Jim
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I would actually take the battery out of the car if it was sitting for a year, but if they can crank it and let it run then I guess you should leave it in, unless your father knows how to take the battery in & out.
My experience is only with boats, but it worked fine in that case. I would immediately run the tank empty upon returning though.
My experience is only with boats, but it worked fine in that case. I would immediately run the tank empty upon returning though.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
Stabil does work (use it in boating, and for lawn-mower gas in the fall).
However, I would not recommend exceeding the bottle's recommended quantity/ratio.
Also, depending on where the car will sit (inside or outside), there are different schools-of-thoughts regarding a full or 1/4-filled fuel tank.
The benefit of a full tank is less moisture from condensation on the inside of the tank.
However, given the tank's construction and that it is 'sealed' from the outside air, and that the winter typically has dryer air and more even temperatures, how much condensation will really occur.
And the negative of a full tank, is much more 'old' fuel to go through in the spring...
By contrast, just having a 1/4 tank, and maybe adding a bottle of Techron and a full tank of premium fuel in the spring --- means very little 'old' fuel to have to finish and run through injectors and fuel-pumps, catalytic converter, etc.
However, I would not recommend exceeding the bottle's recommended quantity/ratio.
Also, depending on where the car will sit (inside or outside), there are different schools-of-thoughts regarding a full or 1/4-filled fuel tank.
The benefit of a full tank is less moisture from condensation on the inside of the tank.
However, given the tank's construction and that it is 'sealed' from the outside air, and that the winter typically has dryer air and more even temperatures, how much condensation will really occur.
And the negative of a full tank, is much more 'old' fuel to go through in the spring...
By contrast, just having a 1/4 tank, and maybe adding a bottle of Techron and a full tank of premium fuel in the spring --- means very little 'old' fuel to have to finish and run through injectors and fuel-pumps, catalytic converter, etc.
