Fuel Stabilizers

[Stone150]

Any consensus on fuel stabilizers?

I though Sta-bil was the go to but I have read less then stellar comments and my father in law says he hasn't had good luck.

I used a can of RP Max Clean in the Z06, as it will go months between fill ups, but not too sure if it works.

I poured seafoam in a dritbike I have (technically trying to get back to running) and apparently that stuff really doesn't work and probably not as a fuel stabilizer.

So is there any that work well consistently?

 

[Chris142]

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/3228592/

 

[gaijinnv]

I've been using Sta-Bil Ethanol Treatment and Stabilizer: Available on Amazon

I like it a lot.

 

[doitmyself]

There is no consensus across the world wide interweb, except for improved fuel management techniques.

People in southern (warmer) regions have different needs and results than those in colder climates.

There are some home tests, but there is no research data to aid in making decisions.

People will chime in with anecdotal evidence on every product, nulifying any decision making help.

This following site is self serving (sell e-10 test kits) and I really believe they over-hype the e-10 hysteria. But, if you poke around the site regarding fuel additives, there is some information that is interesting: http://www.fuel-testers.com/is_gas_additive_safe_with_e10_list.html


Also, don't forget our friends at Lube Control. Years ago here at BITOG, their fuel additive was highly regarded (even Terry Dyson) as a legitimate product.

http://www.lcdinc.com/products_fuel_power.php

Good luck on your quest.

 

[kjmccarx]

I had to store my jeep for a while. Before I left it I put a bottle of the cheveron injector cleaner in there, and then I filled it up one last time with cheveron 91 and a bottle of lukas stabilizer. It started up with no problems when I got back to it.

However, for everyday use, it's better to just fill up at Cheveron or Shell because their fuel comes with better additives and less "gunk" than the local supermarket's station.

 

[JHZR2]

Ive run amsoil stabilizer for years, with great success.

 

[Donald]

I go for Stabil Blue, and also remember the StaBil itself has a lifespan of 2 years from when the container is opened.

I think properly stabilized gas is good for a year. But too much water in the gas can still cause problems with stabilized gas.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: kjmccarx

However, for everyday use, it's better to just fill up at Cheveron or Shell because their fuel comes with better additives and less "gunk" than the local supermarket's station.


How have you come to that conclusion?

 

[Finz]

Originally Posted By: Donald
I go for Stabil Blue, and also remember the StaBil itself has a lifespan of 2 years from when the container is opened.

I think properly stabilized gas is good for a year. But too much water in the gas can still cause problems with stabilized gas.


Is that fact? I never even considered this...

 

[Quest]

@OP:

you live in a high ambient temp area (similar to Arizona, etc.) where high-temp and/or high temp swings even in storage area will accelerate the decomposition of gasoline (by first loosing the aromatics part--which is known to be very unstable even in proper storage).

In short: no fuel stabilisers of any type will aid with the extended storage of your gasoline fuel.

Your best bet (in addition to adding proper fuel stabilisers) is to establish a rotation regimen (i.e. rotate your fuel in-storage to be consumed every 3 months, etc.) and you'll be fine.

Q.

 

[Boomer]

As an organic chemist, I have to ask: What is "loosing the aromatics part"?

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: kjmccarx
I had to store my jeep for a while. Before I left it I put a bottle of the cheveron injector cleaner in there, and then I filled it up one last time with cheveron 91 and a bottle of lukas stabilizer. It started up with no problems when I got back to it.

However, for everyday use, it's better to just fill up at Cheveron or Shell because their fuel comes with better additives and less "gunk" than the local supermarket's station.
that's not the case here.Same truck fills chevron or shell then drives across the street to the liquer store and fills them up too.

 

[Quest]

In my limited chemistry dictionary: aromatics (or aromatic hydrocarbon in particular) are the ones that are comparatively volatile (poor stability), and will decompose quickly if exposed to oxygen and moisture (e.g. improper storage facilities), etc.

Benzene is one of them "aromatics" and I believe Toluene is another type.

dunno if polycyclic alkanes would fall under "aromatics" part of gasoline so please help explain.

The idea is that the "volatile" portion of gasoline will decompose due to presence of oxygen and moisture, exacerbated by the presence of high thermal fluctuation (in storage conditions).

What's being left behind is just heavy, difficult to burn part of the gasoline which would leave all sorts of issues behind (such as soot, carbon in combustion chamber all due to incomplete burning of then "stale" gasoline).

Q.

 

[AMC]

I have not had good luck with red stabil either. So far I like seafoam and gunk off season storage, a SOPOUS product. Many here recommend the marine grade stabil but I have not tried it and I am not sure I will. From what I have seen, any of the "golden Eagle" brand products suck. Heet, Stabil, alumaseal, etc.... All junk IMO.

I am currently experimenting with Star Tron. The way they advertise it, makes it sound like snake oil but so far it is working like it says. They also have excellent customer support and if you look around the net, you will find posts from the company CEO and his chemists replying to people's questions and clearing up a lot of the confusion and doubt surrounding Star Tron. That alone says alot the product and company. So far in my testing, star tron is a good as it says but It is too soon for me to personally recommend it.

 

[Stone150]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/3228592/

As an internet forum veteran (there is a joke in there somewhere), I should have dug deeper.

 

[nleksan]

The Marine Stabil works great for me, as my nice cars are kept in (climate controlled) storage during winter. Never once had an issue, I simply add it before filling up the last tank, and drive until the light comes on, then into storage. Drain fluids, switch to old wheels w old junk tires, and I have never had a problem starting up to 7mo later...

 

[Stone150]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
There is no consensus across the world wide interweb, except for improved fuel management techniques.

People in southern (warmer) regions have different needs and results than those in colder climates.

There are some home tests, but there is no research data to aid in making decisions.

People will chime in with anecdotal evidence on every product, nulifying any decision making help.

This following site is self serving (sell e-10 test kits) and I really believe they over-hype the e-10 hysteria. But, if you poke around the site regarding fuel additives, there is some information that is interesting: http://www.fuel-testers.com/is_gas_additive_safe_with_e10_list.html


Also, don't forget our friends at Lube Control. Years ago here at BITOG, their fuel additive was highly regarded (even Terry Dyson) as a legitimate product.

http://www.lcdinc.com/products_fuel_power.php

Good luck on your quest.

True, there will never be a consensus on the internet and if there is, we have larger problems then fuel stabilizers.

I guess what I meant to say is what have people used with consistent results and length of storage.

 

[badtlc]

The best pure stabilizer I have used has been this:
http://www.getg.com/G-OIL/fuel_stabilizer.php

The best stabilizer with other properties I have used would be Startron.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: Stone150
Any consensus on fuel stabilizers?

I though Sta-bil was the go to but I have read less then stellar comments and my father in law says he hasn't had good luck.

I used a can of RP Max Clean in the Z06, as it will go months between fill ups, but not too sure if it works.

I poured seafoam in a dritbike I have (technically trying to get back to running) and apparently that stuff really doesn't work and probably not as a fuel stabilizer.

So is there any that work well consistently?


The best fuel stabilizer for storage, with ethanol blended fuels, I have used is Startron.

RP MaxClean works great as an FIC. Don't know about as a stabilizer though.

 

[UG_Passat]

Stabil for its dispenser... I use it quickly, so I can fill it up with Star-tron

the boaters love this stuff.,