I realize there are probably a hundred threads on this topic, I've been trying to search and read up on this for a good hour now, but I'm still rather lost, so so much misinformation and vague non-scientific 'it worked for me' opinions!
Trying to figure out the best way to stabilize non-ethanol gas, looks like there are two classes of products on the market: things like 'Sta-bil' which I understand a glycol based and things like SeaFoam - which I still don't understand how it actually works to stabilize fuel...
I'll share what I've researched/know, hoping some experts or petroleum chemists on here can chime in with actual knowledge!
How does fuel go bad:
So how do these 'stabilizers' prevent evaporation and oxidation from happening?
---- Sta-bil:
Constituents (from SDS):
---- SeaFoam:
Constituents (from SDS):
Trying to figure out the best way to stabilize non-ethanol gas, looks like there are two classes of products on the market: things like 'Sta-bil' which I understand a glycol based and things like SeaFoam - which I still don't understand how it actually works to stabilize fuel...
I'll share what I've researched/know, hoping some experts or petroleum chemists on here can chime in with actual knowledge!
How does fuel go bad:
- A) Evaporation - light particles will evaporate, leaving behind the heavy sludge like consituents of fuel that will clog stuff like injectors
- Loss of ignition vapors - light particles evaporating out also means the fewer are available to create vapors for ignition
- SeaFoam doesn't help, maybe worse! Sta-bil seems to help a bit.
- B) Oxidation - fuel particles break down due to interaction with oxygen. I haven't been able to understand the exact chemistry, but I'm guessing these are redox reactions that 'change' the fuel molecules, making them less ignition-prone or breaking down some of their intended chemical effects.
- C) Water absorption - I understand that this ONLY applies if dealing with E10 (10% ethanol fuel) seeing as the ethanol is hygroscopic and will absorb water, and eventually phase separate - you will get water in bottom of tank. Water in the tank means rust, potential freezing damage, etc. Again, I'm less concerned about this seeing as I will never use E10 fuel for any storage situation!
So how do these 'stabilizers' prevent evaporation and oxidation from happening?
---- Sta-bil:
Constituents (from SDS):
- I keep reading that Sta-bil is 'glycol based' and what it does is form a thin 'film' on top of the fuel, which seals it off from the air/moisture. Is this true? I keep reading it repeated on various forums, but haven't seen a single referenced 'source'. Based on SDS, it looks like it's 95% petroleum distillates...
---- SeaFoam:
Constituents (from SDS):
- Ingredient no2 is isopropanol. Isopropanol chemical formula is CH3CHOHCH3. It is a colorless and highly flammable alcohol. Is isopropanol the same as isopropyl alcohol? Yes, isopropyl alcohol (or rubbing alcohol) is a common synonym for 2-propanol or isopropanol.
- So wait, I'm guying zero-ethanol fuel and then ADDING alcohol to it to 'stabilize' it?? Isopropyl alcohol (IPA, or rubbing alcohol) is infinitely hygroscopic (hygroscopic = tending to absorb moisture from the air). What gives?