Best stabalizer and fuel system cleaner

[nomochevys]

I have been on this site forever and never looked in this section for some reason.

What is the best fuel stabalizer and fuel system cleaner that is readily available? I need something I can use in FI cars and well as lawn equipment and motorcyles with carbs. Thanks.

 

[Quattro Pete]

I use Stabil in lawn equipment and when storing gas in a motorcycle over winter.

As for fuel system cleaner, Techron. I sometimes also use Seafoam. Seafoam claims to be a fuel stabilizer as well, however, I'm not sure if it does as good of a job in that department as Stabil.

Plenty of other products out there. It's really hard to say which is the best. Kind of like with engine oil...

 

[Cold_Canuk]

I see a lot of guys go for the marine Stabil, I don't know why it's better than the regular Stabil but when I run out of the regular stuff, I'll get he marine version next.

 

[nomochevys]

Originally Posted By: Cold_Canuk
I see a lot of guys go for the marine Stabil, I don't know why it's better than the regular Stabil but when I run out of the regular stuff, I'll get he marine version next.


Its more expensive but treats more gallons of gas from what I have read. More bang for the buck in other words. I just got some seafoam for another matter and I wasnt sure how good it was to be honest.

 

[Torkenstein]

I've spent some time researching this topic and still have no clear answer.

There are three main problem areas:

1. Ethanol hygroscopic action sucking excess water into fuel, inducing phase separation and corrosion

2. Increased carbon deposits from ethanol combustion characteristics building up in intake manifold, valves and combustion chamber

3. Formation of gums and varnish by oxidation of gasoline hydrocarbons stored in air

In the pre-E10 days #3 was the only concern and additives with anti-oxidants were developed and are probably quite good. Stabil is one such example.

Now ethanol-induced issues are prevalent a lot of manufacturers have jumped in with high-profit "snake oil" products since users can rarely evaluate the results scientifically.

Some additives claim to remove water but you can't remove what's already in there! These products typically contain another alcohol - methanol or isopropanol - to break down the water emulsion in gasoline. Not good for octane!

Others claim to use enzymes to disperse the water / gas emulsion fully (Star Tron.)

My conclusion is the only scientifically verified products address problem #2 with poly ether amines, like Techron or Red Line SI-1 fuel treatment.

The best bet is to use a fresh Tier 1 gasoline and don't mess with fuel chemistry too much unless you are storing gas for many months to use in small-engine applications.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Torkenstein
In the pre-E10 days #3 was the only concern and additives with anti-oxidants were developed and are probably quite good. Stabil is one such example.

Stabil claims to have an Ethanol treatment formula as well. It's actually their marine formula. Whether it's any different from the regular Stable, I'm not sure.

 

[Boomer]

Alcohols actually have very high octane ratings...remember the methanol fueled Offenhauser engine? And while there are corrosion problems from ethanol in gas and water attraction issues, ethanol actually burns pretty cleanly. So I am not sure where you are getting the carbon buildup in the manifold, etc from burning ethanol.

 

[SuzukiGoat]

Yamalube ringfree...

I've never figured out why it works so well...or how that little Bitty 30$ bottle treats like 150 gallons of gas...but it works.

A capful of that and the proper ratio of berrymans chemtool has been known to unvarnish carbs/jets just by attempting to start and then letting sit for an hour.

I have honestly started abandoned Honda 3wheelers at camps with this mix.

 

[Torkenstein]

Originally Posted By: Boomer
Alcohols actually have very high octane ratings...remember the methanol fueled Offenhauser engine? And while there are corrosion problems from ethanol in gas and water attraction issues, ethanol actually burns pretty cleanly. So I am not sure where you are getting the carbon buildup in the manifold, etc from burning ethanol.


You're right - pure alcohols are excellent fuels. I remember back in the day grass-track 500cc motorcycles would run on pure methanol and castor bean oil pumping out 50 hp+, but need frequent teardown and cleaning, mostly because of oil deposits.

Ethanol is an octane booster, but the consensus appears to be oxygenated fuels like E-10 gasoline BLENDS are more prone to carbon buildup, especially when contaminated with water. This is supposedly why gasoline manufacturers developed nitrogenated amine additives (Chevron, Shell.) I don't have the reference and technical explanation to hand right now.

Best bet is to read the MSDS of any fuel additive to see if there really are functional ingredients worth your money beyond simple diluents like stoddard solvent or alcohol. Poly ether amine in the right amount is proven to minimize carbon deposits.

 

[Boss302fan]

I thought Marine Stabil also has cleaners in it???