Storage and fuel additives..
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 507
Likes: 5
From: Macungie Pa
Storage and fuel additives..
I am planning on starting my winter mod project shortly, once the definite winter weather hits. I have fuel tanks about 95% full with a bottle of Techron added. My question would be should I add some Stabil fuel stabilizer also ?
3, maybe 4 months tops would be the length of time before fresher fuel would be added......
Thanks
3, maybe 4 months tops would be the length of time before fresher fuel would be added......
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
It won't hurt but in my opinion, it's not necessary. I'm 57 years old, I live in Michigan and I've been storing cars , lawn tractors, (snow blowers in the summer) for many years without using any additives and I've never had a single problem with the gas. I'm not saying that gas won't turn into varnish if it sits to long, but in my experience it takes more than 6 month. My snow blower has gone 8 or 9 months without starting and never a problem. I've actually had a few project car that have gone a couple of years without any fuel additive and not had a problem. You can smell the gas and tell if it's going bad. As I said with these project cars they have not run for a couple of year, I've opened the gas tank and smelled the gas and no problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,997
Likes: 1
From: Life is a game/Golf is serious. IA
It won't hurt but in my opinion, it's not necessary. I'm 57 years old, I live in Michigan and I've been storing cars , lawn tractors, (snow blowers in the summer) for many years without using any additives and I've never had a single problem with the gas. I'm not saying that gas won't turn into varnish if it sits to long, but in my experience it takes more than 6 month. My snow blower has gone 8 or 9 months without starting and never a problem. I've actually had a few project car that have gone a couple of years without any fuel additive and not had a problem. You can smell the gas and tell if it's going bad. As I said with these project cars they have not run for a couple of year, I've opened the gas tank and smelled the gas and no problems.
Vette, motorcycle, chainsaw, etc sit for 5 months here every winter with no issues but if it helps your peice of mind, add some. 
Race Director
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
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Back in the days when I lived in the midwest and I stored my motorcycle for the winter - when I added Stabil the bike started without a problem in the spring when it was time to bring it out again. I also stored the lawnmower with Stabil in the tank.
One year I siad Bah-Humbug and didn't use the Stabil. I had a hellovah time starting the bike......snake oil? Maybe. But it did seem to help. I would throw it in - it certainly won't hurt anything.
One year I siad Bah-Humbug and didn't use the Stabil. I had a hellovah time starting the bike......snake oil? Maybe. But it did seem to help. I would throw it in - it certainly won't hurt anything.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City Missouri
St. Jude Donor '09
I store everything with Stabil during the winter and never have a problem with cranking it up when its time again. I put it in my cars, lawnmower, and whatever else that runs on gas.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
The owner of a small engine repair shop told me that the number of gummed up carburetors that come into his shop, have sky rocketed ever since gasoline was blended with 10% Ethanol.
Still more reason to use Stabil, for winter storage, in my opinion.
Still more reason to use Stabil, for winter storage, in my opinion.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Tulsa Oklahoma
I would add it. This is a Corvette. If all it does is burn up when your Corvette fires up the next time, the piece of mind is well worth it to me. I have personally had gas go south in a boat over the winter. It sat for three months. As always: Your car, your choice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,979
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From: Wichita KS
I use stabil in ALL my cars/lawnmowers/chainsaws when I deploy even if its 2 months. My chainsaw had stabil put in it this past feb and I started it last week, 1 pull and it ran like a champ.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,724
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From: Holland Landing Ontario
I wish I had stored my snow blower with Sta-Bil. I just got it back after having the carb cleaned. The mechanic that did the work said that today's methonol blended fuel will not stand up as well as fuel from the good old days. On the other hand, he highly recommended using high test in all small engines since it will stand up better.
Anyway, from here forward i will use Sta-Bil to store all of my gasoline powered engines including the Vette.
Anyway, from here forward i will use Sta-Bil to store all of my gasoline powered engines including the Vette.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Lenoir City TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Keeping it a somewhat climate controlled garage? If so I would not worry about. I have kept gas in cars for more than a year as well as lawn equipment and never had a problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,041
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From: Rockford Illinois
I add stabile in everything i have as well. Stabile is a gas stabilizer and will help keep the octane level at say 93 if you puty 93 fule in. Otherwise the octane of gas will deteriorate and the octane will decrease. Its always a good idea after added it to run the car or machine for a few minutes to get the stabile in the system. EX fuel injectors,rail, pump and lines.
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I'd add it. Won't hurt a thing and will keep the fuel fresh.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I've never bothered and never had a problem even after long TDYs. The longest was a Golf I stored in England for 14 months. I store it full to prevent condensation in the tank and run it through as soon as I can then change the oil when I get back. I also disconnect the battery for long lay ups.
That said Stabil cant harm anything.
That said Stabil cant harm anything.