Ethanol w/Sta-Bil Marine - how long will it last?

[OilNerd]

I recently found out that my area is going 10% ethanol as soon as current E0 gas is depleted.

My question for users of Sta-Bil Marine with 10% ethanol gas is how long will it really last with the Sta-Bil Marine? Is 2-stroke mix life the same or shorter with the Sta-Bil Marine? (The gas will be stored properly in a shed in a sealed [CARB] gas container.)

I'm concerned because I've heard that E10 isn't great for small engines (hard on carb diaphragms, water problems, etc). I know that E10 has been a fact of life for a lot of people for a while now, so I'm anxious to hear your experiences, especially with the Sta-Bil Marine product.

 

[SteveSRT8]

E10 is death for most marine use without stabilizer.

Sta-bil has an ethanol formula especially for this issue.

I haven't used it long enough to tell you anything yet, but the regular Sta-bil is great stuff and has prevented me from any problems. We've been all e10 in my area for years.

 

[dave123]

I run Sta-Bil Marine in all my OPE with no issue in 2 years. All equipment runs great so I stick with it.

 

[JTK]

Sealed up in a gas can, E10 will last many months. Once in your open to atmosphere fuel system like on your OPE and marine engines is where it can be a problem if left sit unused for weeks/months.

Joel

 

[gd9704]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
E10 is death for most marine use without stabilizer.

Sta-bil has an ethanol formula especially for this issue.

I haven't used it long enough to tell you anything yet, but the regular Sta-bil is great stuff and has prevented me from any problems. We've been all e10 in my area for years.



Same here. (Knocking on wood)

 

[OilNerd]

Thanks for the responses. Good to know.

I bought the Sta-Bil Marine because it said it was formulated to counter the effects of ethanol. Not terribly worried about the cars (other than mileage), but I was more less concerned about my small engine OPE.

No boat in my life except my '89 Olds 88

.

 

[doitmyself]

This site is somewhat self serving, but I find the information interesting. They claim that additives with alcohol should not be used with e-10 (makes sense), that it can be bad to emulsify too much water back into the gas, and that no product can eliminate ALL of the effects of e-10.

http://www.fuel-testers.com/is_gas_additive_safe_with_e10_list.html
http://www.fuel-testers.com/review_gas_treatment_products.html

I chatted with a tech at Sta-Bil and he said you can use either of their products with e-10, but the Marine formula is more bang for the buck.......it advertises more corrosion preventers and cleaners, but you use it at 1/2 the dose of the red stuff....you do the math. IMO, the Marine formula MIGHT just be a more concentrated form of the regular formula and the "Marine" aspect is just marketing.

He also said that Sta-Bil WILL NOT prevent phase separation, but some here dispute this.

I use Sta-bil, for the most part on blind faith of the marketing claims.....just like I use FP3000. I am intrigued by the marketing claims of Pri G. It says it can restore years old stale gasoline as well as being a superb stabilizer.

 

[SteveSRT8]

The word "marine" as a marketing tool to boat owners is indeed horribly over-used.

Pri-G? Sounds like an internet search for me.

Got a web site?

 

[BigCahuna]

You have to remember that boats have larger gas tanks then cars. On average 50- 200 gallons, so making it concentrated make sense.

 

[MNgopher]

You are thinking in much different realm than I BigCahuna. I'm still using 6 gallon cans most of the time, and the last "big" fish and ski boat I used had a 35 gallon tank.

I looked at the Marine grade Sta-bil and noticed the 1/2 dosage of regular stabil and did the math. Marketing... Buy on bang for the buck. Last time it was regular on sale.