fuel stabilizer

[sal64]

hello all how do you guys store your small engines for extended time? the way ive been doing it is i run all gas out of tank plastic or metal tank.is that correct, i do put blue stable in each gas can, should i put the red in for storage ? that means i would have both in at times is that ok ? should i keep metal tanks full ? after a yr or more should i drain all gas and throw it out or can i put it in my truck ? i bought a new generator with a 6.3 gal tank if i dont use it for a yr or more i would be wasting all that gas $ . tuvm for any help

 

[IslandTractor]

I put Stabil in and if I don't use up the fuel in a year I transfer the fuel to either my lawn mower or car. I also just let the engine run out of fuel to keep the carb clean.

 

[sal64]

I put Stabil in and if I don't use up the fuel in a year I transfer the fuel to either my lawn mower or car. I also just let the engine run out of fuel to keep the carb clean.

do you use the red or blue? tu

 

[Diamondpilot]

Red Stabilizer is a waste of money. Buy marine grade ethanol formula. Its usually blue or black in color.

It may look more expensive but its very concentrated. A 10oz bottle for $7 treats 100 gallons.

Chris

 

[IslandTractor]

Red Stabilizer is a waste of money. Buy marine grade ethanol formula. Its usually blue or black in color.

It may look more expensive but its very concentrated. A 10oz bottle for $7 treats 100 gallons.

Chris

I also use the marine formula for everything.

 

[KYDan]

I use Stabil and ethanol-free fuel. Alcohol polluted fuel degrades faster and can create problems if left more than a few months. If I were storing it over an extended period and I could not obtain ethanol-free fuel. I would drain the tank, run the fuel from the carb and system, remove the carb bowl to insure it was drained, and then fog the engine with fogging oil. You can check the puregas.org website to see if there is ethanol-free fuel in your area.

 

[IslandTractor]

I use Stabil and ethanol-free fuel. Alcohol polluted fuel degrades faster and can create problems if left more than a few months. If I were storing it over an extended period and I could not obtain ethanol-free fuel. I would drain the tank, run the fuel from the carb and system, remove the carb bowl to insure it was drained, and then fog the engine with fogging oil. You can check the puregas.org website to see if there is ethanol-free fuel in your area.

That sounds like museum quality work but would take a day or so to do if you had multiple small gas engines like I do. I just shut off the fuel line and clear out the carburetor by allowing the engine to run til it stalls. Ethanol free fuel is not easy to come by either. Adding stabil, double amount if you want to, does fine for up to a year. I just make sure the fuel gets used in one engine or another before a year goes by. Haven't had any trouble.

 

[Copperhead]

In Iowa, ethanol is just about in every grade of gas out there anymore and regular non-enthanol is a problem to find. Haven't seen a non ethanol formulation for quite a while. I started using a product called PRI Advanced Fuel Treatments . They have formulations for gas and diesel. Have never had a storage issue when using this stuff. And a little goes a long, long way.

 

[paulharvey]

Typically if you need ethanol free gas your best bet is to look for "boat gas". Its normally more per gallon, but doesnt destroy two cycle motors as fast.

 

[joshuabardwell]

hello all how do you guys store your small engines for extended time? the way ive been doing it is i run all gas out of tank plastic or metal tank.

I have had to replace two carburetors now because of leaving ethanol gas in the machine for too long. I use red Sta-bil in all my small engines now, and even then, I try not to leave the same gas in the engine for more than three months or so. This is usually not a problem at all during the summer, when I'm mowing and cutting all the time. By the fall, I drain all the gas out of the tank and then run the engine until it goes dry.

 

[Michael B]

Not to hijack thread... But I was under impression that filling the tank would reduce available space for condensation?

Ethanol free gas, Stabil, run out carb, then fill tank. For riding lawn mower, ATV, chainsaws?

 

[IslandTractor]

Not to hijack thread... But I was under impression that filling the tank would reduce available space for condensation?

Ethanol free gas, Stabil, run out carb, then fill tank. For riding lawn mower, ATV, chainsaws?

Yes, but water is not the main problem. Ethanol and short half life of some important additives seem to be the major issue these days with long term storage of fuel.

 

[KYDan]

Island Tractor has it right. The octane will degrade over time. If you are storing the equipment for a longer period of time draining the tank is a good idea. However, for shorter periods use a higher octane rated fuel than what is normally recommended for the engine. On my two stroke engines I will start and run them briefly about once a month during the off season. I have been mowing and trimming this year until about mid December which is unusual. Ethanol free fuel is much better for small engines if it is available. Check the puregas.org website for a list of dealers by state for ethanol free fuel.

 

[sal64]

when i bought my generator the dealer said to keep tank full if its a steal tank because it will rust without fuel in it you could always drain gas if it goes bad.

 

[sdkubota]

I use PRI-G in my gas and PRI-D for my diesels. Had to purchase the products off of Amazon but read numerous reports where it would protect gas or diesel for years. Can even be added to rejuvenate old fuel/gas. Anyhow, that is my story and I am sticking to it.

I used to use Stabil Red and had gas sit for a couple of years without any noticeable problems.

 

[sld]

I'm not sure where all the problems come from. For winter storage on mowers, trimmers, power washers, etc...I just give it a double dose of marine stabil and fill it to the rim. I have never had a problem. They start right up in the spring after 4-5 months of storage.

It seems like I constantly read about problems and I am sure they do happen. I have never had them and don't think I am doing anything out of the ordinary to prevent them. Maybe it's geographical.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I have used Stabl red for years, making sure it's in the last gas run through it my engines, and takes care of the problem. Lately I've started using Star Tron, and probably will use it exclusively when the last of the Stabl is gone. Not sure that it's any better, but it mixes more readily. One problem I've seen with Stabl is that if you pour it into a container without agitating it, it just sort of sits there. Star Tron appears to mix instantly.

 

[IslandTractor]

I use PRI-G in my gas and PRI-D for my diesels. Had to purchase the products off of Amazon but read numerous reports where it would protect gas or diesel for years. Can even be added to rejuvenate old fuel/gas. Anyhow, that is my story and I am sticking to it.

I used to use Stabil Red and had gas sit for a couple of years without any noticeable problems.

The company that makes Stabil specifically says in their tech info that you cannot rejuvenate old gas..you can preserve new gas for up to a year at least but cannot take five year old gas and make it good again.

 

[sdkubota]

The company that makes Stabil specifically says in their tech info that you cannot rejuvenate old gas..you can preserve new gas for up to a year at least but cannot take five year old gas and make it good again.

They make the claim but perhaps they just mean on the diesel.

PRI Advanced Fuel Treatments

 

[IslandTractor]

They make the claim but perhaps they just mean on the diesel.

PRI Advanced Fuel Treatments

Yes, my comment was about gas not diesel.