sta-bil

[Ob1kubota]

Terry I buy it right off the shelf at WalMart. Stanadyne is the exact same thing just uses different buzz words on the bottle. Stanadyne is also at WalMart on occasion and about the same price. You're going to need it in the older 7.3s after July until LSD is used up. The ULSD ( green dye diesel) will cause problems because the ash is being removed for EPA 2007 teir III compliance. Ash and sulfur in the ash act as lubricant to your injectors and HP injection pump. Over the road Class Eight operators sneak a pint of ATF in a full tank of the green stuff to stay out of the shop. This will end on the 2008 chassis models because of the new exhaust filter system and change again in 2010 to a wet bath mixture scrubbing soot. All of the above is much more technical than I have discribed in laymans terms. I'm sure some of the Piled Higher and Deeper guys will have something to say about my simplicity.

 

[Highbeam]

I bought the quart sized sta-bil from walmart and used it only in gasoline jugs of premium fuel. The sta-bil formed crystals in the sta-bil jug after just about one year. The sta-bil jug was opened at regular intervals during that year when I refilled my single 5 gallon gasoline jug. I tried shaking it up to dissolve them but no go. They are dark red to maroon, nearly round, and about the size of several ball points pen balls. They sink to the bottom of the jug but do not stick to the bottom. I only ever open the small measuring spout and not the large kneck pour spout.

I have no idea whether the crystals dissolve in the gasoline since I tried to avoid getting them in the gas can and tossed out the last ounce or so. Probably a teaspoon of crystals.

At least check for them.

 

[FamilyFarm]

I've never seen Stanadyne around here in a WalMart. I have always ordered it from Diesel Injection Service in Texas. I'll look closer to see if it is stocked in the Walmarts here, or maybe just get the Power Service if they have it.
Thanks, Terry

 

[Ob1kubota]

Hey Highbean use a paint strainer and filter out some of the crystals, dry and crush them, do they turn white once dried?

 

[ccsial]

I bought a large bottle of StaBil. I think it was about 4 years when it plugged my pressure washer with crystals. Now I get a new bottle every fall. Hopefully they don't sit around the stores too long. I don't think it will go bad in the fuel since it is so diluted.

 

[MrJimi]

Everything I pour in my fuel tanks I alway run thru a paint strainer and my sta-bil does also crystallize? it does it, in its own container and I see no shelf life warning??
I bought the big one at wally world for our generators? I wonder if it crystallizes in the gas tank also? this could cause some serious problems with our engines?
Jim

 

[ccsial]

Straining StaBil is a dang good idea. I'm going to do that too. I'd hope that once it is very diluted in the gas there wouldn't be a problem.

I was thinking of trying to E-mail the mfg of StaBil and ask about it. (assuming I can find an address)

 

[midlf]

If you use 5-10 gal a month and buy it 5 gals at a time you do not need to worry about having to add stabilizer to your fuel. You are consuming it too fast for it to go bad. I use Sta-bil in gas as I have variable usage and it may take me 6 months to use up the 5 gallon can.

 

[ccsial]

I buy 100 gallons of diesel and put in Power service when I fill my storage tank. I use StaBil in my pressure washer, boat, mowers, and motorcycles before I store them for winter.

 

[bandit67]

Wow, I wonder if the Stabil has a different formula now? I had a bottle on the shelf for 3 or 4 years, and never found any crystals in it. I even used it at that point to help unclog a carb on a trail bike because I forgot to add the Stabil to the fuel before storing it. I'll keep a close eye on my newer bottle, though.

As for the diesel fuel additives, Stanadyne is great, but harder to find. Power Service just got pulled from our local Walmart's shelves, supposedly because the EPA said it doesn't meet current specs. But I found it in stock at Napa, and they said they haven't gotten any notices from corporate about having to pull it. I just recently got a bottle of SoyShield from my local Schaeffer rep, so I'm going to try that out.

I recommend that EVERYONE use a diesel lubricity additive from here on out, as the new ULS diesel fuels are so low in lubricity, and have no lubricity additives required to be added back in, that we are going to see more and more damage to diesel engines in time.

So either add diesel additive, or start using a biodiesel blend to protect your engines.