Any benefits of using fuel stabilizer year round?

[josh83]

Wow seems that lots of you guys do this. I was unsure I have never used it before and was curious. I picked up the Red Sta-Bil at my local auto parts store. I just bout my first Zero Turn mower and want to do everything I can to keep it healthy.

 

[enigma-2]

I use StaBil or Star Tron, both do not have alcohol in them.
SeaFoam has alcohol in it, just what you don't want, more alcohol in your gas ! NOT !

According the the SeaFoam MDA, it's composed of 46-60% Pale Oil, 25-35% Naphtha, & 10-20% IPA. (The IPA is isopropyl alcohol, but it's not the same as Ethanol alcohol.) The Naptha and alcohol are solvents, while the pale oil is used for lubricating purposes.

Remember the product is designed to work with Ethanol gasoline and keep it fresh for a year or two. It's a good product for cleaning an old engine, just a little too expense to use for gas stabilizer, IMHO.

 

[djdicetn]

Would the same advice in all of these responses still hold true for non-ethanol gas. We can still get non-ethanol at local mom-and-pop independent markets that sell gas here in TN although it is generally $.05-$.10/gal more expensive depending on the grade(regular, mid or premium). I have been using the regular non-ethanol in all of my lawn equipment(and boat) since the beginning of this season and notice a real difference in how smoth the engines run and how long a tankful lasts!!!! I can almost mow my yard 1.5-2.0 times on the same amount of non-ethanol than I was doing on the E10. I just purchased a brand new Gravely Pro-Turn 152 XDZ zero turn mower(my first ZTR) and as long as I can get non-ethanol gas, that is all this baby will ever see put in it's tanks. I also, after break-in, plan on running 10%-20% Lucas Oil Treatment in it's Kawasaki FX. My "old school" auto mechanic(and he's a VERY good mechanic) recommended it for my 1995 Chevy truck(230,000 miles) and I also notice a significant engine performance improvement even though I only use it once every 4 oil changes(every 12,000 miles). After reading this thread I am also considering using the Stabil and/or Seafoam(the Stabil for every day usage and storage longer than 30 days and the Seafoam if there seems to be any performance degradation where "cleaning the system" may help). Does everyone agree with my approaches to caring for my lawn & garden(and 2-stoke Merc on my boat)????

 

[combatcarl]

I would say use a stabilizer anyway. Non ethanol gas won't separate or absorb water like E10+ will, but will still age and separate to its different blend additives. It will definitely turn to varnish if left alone long enough. I don't know the timetable for that, though.

 

[smaywork]

Never had good luck with Sta-bil. I have a 1980 Mazda RX-7 and moved to japan for two years. Returned every 6 months and used the Mazda to get around. Every time I came home, I had to tear the carburetor apart and "un-stick" needles. This was no fun task if you've seen the hoses on one of these things. I had then started to hear complaints from others and started using SeaFoam. Never had a problem since.

 

[djdicetn]

Never had good luck with Sta-bil. I have a 1980 Mazda RX-7 and moved to japan for two years. Returned every 6 months and used the Mazda to get around. Every time I came home, I had to tear the carburetor apart and "un-stick" needles. This was no fun task if you've seen the hoses on one of these things. I had then started to hear complaints from others and started using SeaFoam. Never had a problem since.

smaywork,
The Sta-bil is a good product for small engine applications(like lawn equipment), but I would agree that for automotive applications the Seafoam is your best bet. Seafoam would also be my choice for correcting a fuel-induced "problem" on a small engine and I consider the Sta-bil as simply a good quality and inexpensive "preventative measure" for my lawn equipment.

 

[enigma-2]

Never had good luck with Sta-bil. I have a 1980 Mazda RX-7 and moved to japan for two years. Returned every 6 months and used the Mazda to get around. Every time I came home, I had to tear the carburetor apart and "un-stick" needles. This was no fun task if you've seen the hoses on one of these things. I had then started to hear complaints from others and started using SeaFoam. Never had a problem since.

One thing that came to mind when reading your post, Sta-Bil has a shelf life as well. Exceed that and it's ability to protect your gas is diminished. Also, Sta-Bil changed their formula a couple of years ago, the product before that didn't work as well with Ethanol. Could have been using old (older) Sta-Bil?

When you put the Sta-Bil in the gas is important. Must be added as soon as possible. Once gas begins to turn, no product can keep it from gumming up.

I've used Sta-Bil for years (too many to remember) and found it works well for up to a year. Three years actually for my Honda tiller. Started after three years of sitting on second pull. Couldn't believe it. Same gas three years. (Honda tiller's are great).

SeaFoam is also a good product and will actually (slowly) clean the carb. It's just that it's more expensive to use on a regular basis.