Sta-Bil for winter?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
Likes: 1,144
From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
First thing to look at was the breather cap and then down inside the valve cover -- if they were covered with whitish sludge, that was the key, and the sludge would be all throughout the engine.
Cars that weren't driven for mostly short trips, even though they may have had high mileage, did not have the white sludge.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 8,055
Likes: 2,694
From: New Mexico
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
I wouldn't bother with any additives if the tank is full and it's only sitting for a few months.
And let it sit, don't start it unless you're getting the oil up to operating temp. You're doing more harm than good otherwise.
And let it sit, don't start it unless you're getting the oil up to operating temp. You're doing more harm than good otherwise.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 508
Likes: 29
From: Warroad MN US Army (Retired) 1976-2001
Agree with treating per the bottle directions. I always run my fuel down to below 1/4 tank, go to station and add the Stabil, then fill so both tanks get treated. Then drive about 4 miles back to my house to get it mixed and into the entire fuel system. Then do my end of year oil change, do the storage prep and park and cover it in my unheated pole barn for the winter. It's worked like a charm for me.
Last edited by Aggie76; Oct 28, 2018 at 03:16 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
Likes: 1,144
From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
Agree with treating per the bottle directions. I always run my fuel down to below 1/4 tank, go to station and add the Stabil, then fill so both tanks get treated. Then drive about 4 miles back to my house to get it mixed and into the entire fuel system. Then do my end of year oil change, do the storage prep and park and cover it in my unheated pole barn for the winter. It's worked like a charm for me.
I even have an unheated pole barn! 
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,959
Likes: 526
Racer
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 377
Likes: 105
From: Boulder, CO
Some may do alright by not using a fuel stabilizer additive, and some may need to use an additive. It may depend on where you live, and what kind of compounds are required to be in gasoline sold in your State or Region. Here in Colorado --which is quickly becoming a suburb of California-- regulations require a whole bunch of stuff for emissions reasons. Globull Klimatt Change will destroy the world next week if they don't. In my chainsaw, log splitter, snow blower, lawn mower and motorcycles the gasoline goes bad in about 4 months such that these engines are extremely difficult to start and run. I often need to spike the fuel with Aviation Gasoline and/or pour gas into the spark plug hole for starting.
Thank you very much to the poster who reminded drivers to think about the two separate tanks in many Corvettes.
Thank you very much to the poster who reminded drivers to think about the two separate tanks in many Corvettes.
Last edited by vezePilot; Nov 7, 2018 at 11:42 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
Likes: 1,144
From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
Agree with treating per the bottle directions. I always run my fuel down to below 1/4 tank, go to station and add the Stabil, then fill so both tanks get treated. Then drive about 4 miles back to my house to get it mixed and into the entire fuel system. Then do my end of year oil change, do the storage prep and park and cover it in my unheated pole barn for the winter. It's worked like a charm for me.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,953
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
I haven't been doing it for 40 years, more like 30. I use the KISS method. Prior to me securing a spot in an indoor temperature controlled storage, I simply disconnected the battery.....usually stored for 4-6 months.
Mowers, snow blowers, chain saws etc I just run the gas dry.