Fuel stabalizer

[5030]

Like others have said "Gold Eagle Sta-bil 360 Marine Formula Ethanol Treatment" seems to work good and I have been using it since it became available.

Just out of habit, I still run the carburetor empty on small engines (like the old 6 hp Tecumseh on a Troy Bilt Horse) that have a fuel petcock.

View attachment 704096

Used to buy it in the bigger bottle but I see it has an expiration date after opening so now I buy the smaller bottle.

 

[ArlyA]

I have some tools I might pick up to use for a few hours one day and then not touch it again for several years, Im guessing running it dry is really the only option other than hoping for the best.

We can't really get all the fuel out by running it dry. Most, but not all and what remains with gunk up asap. Seafoam will keep it good for quite a long time. Year-around we put it in our snow blower, lawnmower and polaris 6x6. Our 2 stroke machines has stablizers in the oil we use.

 

[1930]

We can't really get all the fuel out by running it dry. Most, but not all and what remains with gunk up asap. Seafoam will keep it good for quite a long time. Year-around we put it in our snow blower, lawnmower and polaris 6x6. Our 2 stroke machines has stablizers in the oil we use.

So maybe the best option would be to start it and let it run a while every year or so and change out the fuel that has an additive in it every couple of years.

 

[ArlyA]

So maybe the best option would be to start it and let it run a while every year or so and change out the fuel that has an additive in it every couple of years.

How often are you using this engine?? How long is it ran?

 

[1930]

Chainsaw as an example. Not often any more and usually long enough to get rid of a fallen tree

 

[newbury]

I use Stabil routinely because other then my daily drive I'm rarely sure how long my engines will sit.

I also use Seafoam when a carb seems clogged up on a 2 stroke.

I'm surprised @MossRoad hasn't yet chimed in telling us he doesn't uses anything.

 

[STCL01]

I use marine Stamp-bil in gasoline without issue. For diesel I use Diesel Kleen. For mixed gas I use a product that I buy at Lowe's that is a synthetic oil with a fuel stabilizer added. Since I started doing this I have had no problems other that those that are simply related to the age and use of the equipment.

 

[Smokeydog]

Pri-G for gas.

 

[Williy]

I for one don't waste my money on fuel stablizers
I change the rubber hoses as this is the problem
because the crap in the gas dissolves the rubber
and plugs up your carb. So simple fix I throw the
rubber hoses away and replace with clear plastic.
I have gas in my riding lawn mower for over a year
and no problem starts right up. The small orifice in
the carb will plug very easy with the dissolved fine
pieces from the rubber hose. I think all the hype
about fuel stablizers is from the makers of the stuff.

willy

 

[ArlyA]

Chainsaw as an example. Not often any more and usually long enough to get rid of a fallen tree

Might want to sell the gas one and get a battery power machine.

 

[mrmikey]

I for one don't waste my money on fuel stablizers

I respectfully disagree, if it works for you that's great ..............Mike

 

[PILOON]

I buy only HiTest gas and run carbs dry, also all my small engine powered things are stored in a shed or garage thus not under hot sun.
Also changed out any rubber lines for tygon (?) (the yellow stuff).
(It is the alcohol in gas that dissolves the rubber and also causes rust in steel tanks.)

Knock on wood, that seems to have avoided any problems.

Some years back a major Canadian refiner was sued over having added alcohol without warning the users. Guess that using alcohol has now become an accepted norm.

 

[fried1765]

You have had small engine carb issues because your useing un stabilized E10 fuel. Stabil will help but E0 fuel that's stabilized will really help.

How hard is it to find E0 fuel? Did you use pure-gas.com to final a local station?

Depends on where you are!
In my state the law reads: "Non ethanol fuel shall not be dispensed from a pump".
VERY HARD.... "to find E0 fuel".
A 5 gallon can at the local hardware store is $85 + tax.

 

[ArlyA]

Gasoline fuels have been a limited shelf life product since they started to refining them 130+ years ago. They are made to be used, not stored. Once it hits oxygen, its days are limited. Heat makes that happen faster. Note how alcohol was not mentioned.

 

[gsganzer]

I have always used Stabil for any gas used in my small engines. However, ethanol blended fuel isn't something new and has been around for years. You would think that any modern engine sold in the US would be able to handle E10 or E15 without any issues. Is that not the case?

 

[ArlyA]

Here's my theory.

Me and the wife sure have been fighting lately, must be the ethanol in the gas.
My dog and kids don't listen to me anymore, must be the ethanol in the gas.
My party member didn't win in the last election, must be the ethanol in the gas.
Do you see a pattern here? If not, it must be the ethanol in the gas.

 

[HEC]

Look up Pri-g additive it has some great reviews , I just bought some some pri-d for my tractor as it helps with algae etc. also . pri-g is for gas engines and pri-d is for diesel .

 

[LawrenceFine]

Im tired of having problems with small engine carbs and I plan to do something about it.

In my area finding ethanol free gas isnt easy and from what I have read dosent necessarily solve the problem.

I know that running the fuel tank empty at the end of the season isnt the answer either because Ive seen first hand the powdery white residue left behind after things dry out.

What do you guys do to not have any problems?

Im looking into a fuel additive called Sta-Bil. I know little about any of these additives.

I go with Tru-Fuel or one of the other non ethanol fuels for off season storage. A bit expensive, but worth it for storage. I've had trouble with most of the fuel stabilizers on the market

 

[Hermio]

Im tired of having problems with small engine carbs and I plan to do something about it.

In my area finding ethanol free gas isnt easy and from what I have read dosent necessarily solve the problem.

I know that running the fuel tank empty at the end of the season isnt the answer either because Ive seen first hand the powdery white residue left behind after things dry out.

What do you guys do to not have any problems?

Im looking into a fuel additive called Sta-Bil. I know little about any of these additives.

I have used Sta-Bil with 10% ethanol fuel for my chain saws for a couple of decades now. No fuel-related problems. Best not to go more than a year in storage for the mix, though. They claim 2 years.

 

[redneck1952]

Im tired of having problems with small engine carbs and I plan to do something about it.

In my area finding ethanol free gas isnt easy and from what I have read dosent necessarily solve the problem.

I know that running the fuel tank empty at the end of the season isnt the answer either because Ive seen first hand the powdery white residue left behind after things dry out.

What do you guys do to not have any problems?

Im looking into a fuel additive called Sta-Bil. I know little about any of these additives.

Sta-Bil is good for long term storage, I put Sea Foam in every gas can and tank on all of my equipment and have had no problems with carburetors since I started doing that.