Question about using a stabilizer?

[WinterDeere]

When you guys use Sta-bil for storage in cans (not engines) do you add it before or after filling can with gas?

I like to put a little gas in the can, add any additive (Stabil or 2-stroke oil), swirl, then finish filling the can. But just as often, I'm adding Stabil later to an already-filled can, and don't sweat it much. Just note it's very hard to mix a completely-filled can by shaking or swirling, you need some air space in the can.

 

[alexinPA]

I like to put a little gas in the can, add any additive (Stabil or 2-stroke oil), swirl, then finish filling the can. But just as often, I'm adding Stabil later to an already-filled can, and don't sweat it much. Just note it's very hard to mix a completely-filled can by shaking or swirling, you need some air space in the can.

I do exectly the same, never had problem. Just wanted to hear opinions on that

 

[scootr]

When you guys use Sta-bil for storage in cans (not engines) do you add it before or after filling can with gas?

I put a little gas in the can then the oil and then fill. The reason is that filling the can from a pressure nozzle mixes the oil and gas.
Note oil will separate from the gas if it sits for 30 days so some agitation is needed to keep them mixed.

 

[4570Man]

I buy ethanol free gas which isn’t hard to get in my area and don’t add anything. I’ve gotten a lot of free equipment with screwed up or usually completely ruined carbs from people but I’ve never had a problem with ethanol free gas messing up. I’ll leave stuff sitting for the better part of a year and it always starts.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I had ethanol free 91 octane lose its potency after two years, and it was treated with StaBil.

At this point I'm convinced that the container must be well sealed for the gas to stay good. The 200-gallon tank with the 91 was not, having the typical vented cap.

When down to about 100 gallons there was a fair amount of venting going on since air expands and contracts more than gas does.

Removed the cap and plugged the fill hole, then made a "closed" setup with an expansion chamber and a valve to allow air in as gas is being pumped out.

It hasn't been much more than a year, so it's too early to tell how well this system works, but there are no longer any noticeable gas fumes coming from it in the AM.

Since gas can stay fully usable in well sealed cans (like the old European military kind) for at least six years, I'm hoping to make this 200-gallon tank as close to those as possible.

 

[WinterDeere]

I had ethanol free 91 octane lose its potency after two years, and it was treated with StaBil.

Gas octane rating diminishes with time, on a months-scale. Something shy of 1 point per month, in most storage scenarios. I’m not sure how Stabil affects loss of octane rating, if at all, I always thought its aim was more preventing separation and varnishing.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Gas octane rating diminishes with time, on a months-scale. Something shy of 1 point per month, in most storage scenarios. I’m not sure how Stabil affects loss of octane rating, if at all, I always thought its aim was more preventing separation and varnishing.

If StaBil does anything for preserving the octane rating, it isn't much. That's why I switched to Star Tron, which seems to do a better job.

 

[WinterDeere]

What has you storing gas for two years? I usually try to rotate my cans to never have one sit more than a month or two.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

What has you storing gas for two years? I usually try to rotate my cans to never have one sit more than a month or two.

Got tired of constantly going to fill 8-12 cans, then manually fill stuff from them. Bought two 200-gallon tanks with pumps, one for gas and one for diesel. That delivered fuel is cheaper than going to get it in town doesn't hurt. And neither does my back..as much.

But after not using my main gas hog (which got about 1 mpg at the time) nearly as often, a 200-gallon tank usually lasts over two years now when feeding four other vehicles that gets a lot better mileage.

 

[Smokeydog]

After a year gas smelling like varnish using Stabil in my welder/generator. Switched to Pri-G over 10 years ago without any problems for all gas engines.