Question for wBeaton on Stabil

[TerryMSU]

wBeaton:
In a different OMC thread, you mentioned having had issues with Stabil. What were they? I am using Stabil with no KNOWN issues. Am I missing something or just lucky?

Thanks,
TerryMSU

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

Lots of people use Stabil with no problems. I don't mean to bash the product its just that I've had bad fuel problems twice while using it. So I don't use it anymore. A fella that manages the small engine service shop for a major department store told me they also have had problems using Stabil and recommended the Briggs & Stratton fuel stabilier to me. However, its hard to find so I'm using the stuff my local small engine shop uses (Optimax - I think) and its worked fine for the last two years.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

Stabil has been around since Hector was a pup and there simply are no issues that can be blamed on it. In this case the small engine guy is trying to sell you something that probably costs a bunch more to do the same job. If you want a "real" fuel treatment use SeaFoam. It's a fuel system cleaner as well as a fuel stabilizer.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

In this case the small engine guy is trying to sell you something that probably costs a bunch more to do the same job.

No, he was a teacher of mine. He doesn't sell anything and neither does his shop. In my case it simply didn't stop the fuel from going bad.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

I have to agree with silvertip. The idea that a multi-purpose product can compete with a proven single purpose product like Gold Eagle's Sta-Bil is hard to comprehend.

One would expect that the individual offering the information would at least offer impirical data to support it.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

I've stated an opinion based on personal experience and anecdotal evidence. I don't believe I need to provide laboratory test results for that. I never started a thread bashing Stabil. I only mentioned in a post that I've had issues so I don't use it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

There are only four scenarios that I can envision in this case: 1) Too little Stabil was used for the amount of fuel, 2) Stabil was added to the fuel but the engine was not run long enough to get the treated fuel into the carb, 3) Stabil was added AFTER the fuel was already bad or 4) Stabil was not used for years prior to the incident, then Stabil was added and the patient died. #4 would be coincidence, not blamable on Stabil. As for #3, Stabil preserves the fuel -- it can't bring it back to life after it's gone sour. As I remember, this guy was the "Manager" of a large department store! As such, was he actually a mechanic? Like so many other oil and additive products sold by engine manufacturers, those products are not made by the manufacturer. I have seen Briggs & Stratton fuel additive and as I remember, it looks very much like Stabil. I agree with the others -- what were the exact issues experienced with Stabil?

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

He is the manager of the department store's small engine shop, a mechanic and part-time small engine repair teacher.

The Briggs stuff is blue not red and requires much less to be used so I don't think its made by Stabil.

I understand how and why to use fuel stabiliser. I add fuel stabiliser whenever I get fuel and I try not to store fuel for long periods of time. The first problem came as the fuel in my tank and carb went bad over winter in my main motor. The second time the fuel went bad in my small tank (after a couple months) during an exceptionally hot summer. I switched after that and have had no problems since.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

I guess I'm just a "doubting Thomas" as even untreated fuel will not go bad in two months. If it did, about 90% of the snowbirds in Minnesota would return home to their vehicles and tanks of bad gas. I don't think two month old gas caused your issues. Water absorption maybe.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

Wow! I did not mean to start such a conflict. People obviuosly have some strong opinions on the subject.

The only time I ever had bad fuel was due to water from condensation. I added some dry-gas type of product and it seemed to fix the issue. This was in the summer when I usually use enough fuel (about 6 gallon tank per weak) that I don't use Stabil. I have never had an issue with fuel going bad. I use Stabil over the winter just in case. I have heard that different areas of the country have different fuel quality/stabilization issues. Perhaps here in Michigan we get a better stabilization additive instaed of some of the polution additives.

TerryMSU

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

I agree that two month old gas shouldn't go bad. Also the gas wasn't completely spent, but it ran rough. So I as you assumed it was water, but after investigation I found no free water in the fuel. So if it was water it was still in the molecular stage. I cut it with fresh gas and ran it in my lawn mower. Either way, I've switched and will only use Stabil as a last resort.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

thank all of you for your opinions. as said they are opinions.

 

[Lakester]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

OPTIMAX

hello,

i have used optimax. it is what i use for my saws and commercial echo weedmachine. i dont use it in my rotax, as i use pennzoil air cooled oil there only. i have used optimax for some 10 years now...

i have noted that when i run out of mixed gas with optimax in it and use fresh gas and another optimax pack... throttle response improves. no doubt due to the fresh gas.

i have used mixed fuel 6-9 months old and performance was good.

optimax in convenient when mixing a 1 gallon or 2 gallon mix. it gives 50:1. they have larger optimax for larger mixes.

i like optimax and it is all i have used in my saws and echos...

regards
lakester

 

[Lakester]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

hello,

another thot on optimax.

some one here on iboats commented that oil in gas added no stabilization. i got introduced to optimax by buying my 2-stroke equip from a large local commercial/retail landscape equipment company. the owner commented to me that optimax also adds a fuel stabilizer, too. seems to be the case as 6 mo old gas with optimax performs quite well.


based upon my own personal experience, i am of the opinion use of pennzoil air cooled oil additive may also add a stabilizer, for my fuel remains good for over 90 days. but i do use only shell premium with V-power.

regards
lakester

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

I've never even heard of Stabil. Where does one get it? I use the stabilizer that my OMC dealer sells (dont recall the brand) and it seems to work fine. And I've just started trying some Seafoam this year for the first time. Will see how it does.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

They have it at Canadian Tire for us Canadians Samo.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

CTC has it. Aha, shoulda guessed. They sell everything! thx.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

Every corner gas station or convenience store probably has Stabil on the shelf. It's as common as Pepsi and Milk.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Question for wBeaton on Stabil

Haha... Maybe in the midwest?