A poll to stablize or not

[ticondo46]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

I'm a simple man, and my experience with gas kept from one year to the next was a bad one (and that was way back in the days when leaded fuels were the norm, and far more stable than the highly volatile fuels we have these days).

Ever since, before storage, I have made sure to pull the gas line off and run the motor until it dies through lack of fuel. And just to make extra sure, I pump and siphon the gas tank until it's absolutely bone dry.

You know what? Not one problem in 15 seasons. And look at all the money I saved on snake oil!

 

[Philster]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

delete. posted in error.

 

[shrew]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

This thread is identical to the one below, which was started a mere 3 hours earlier on the same day.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=531128

 

[halfmoa]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

This is helpful, professional and credible:

http://www.boatus.com/magazine/2011/december/ethanol.asp

Great article, thanks!

 

[Philster]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

You mean the article that contains this?

"...according to Jim Simnick, a technical advisor at BP Global Fuels Technology, and Lew Gibbs, a senior engineering consultant and Chevron Fellow. The two men have over 75 years of combined experience working with gasoline and both agree that the loss of octane over the winter would not be sufficient to damage an engine. Note, however, to keep any gasoline, including E10, as fresh as possible; they said it's good practice to always add fuel stabilizer — an antioxidant — whenever the boat will be idle for long periods..."

Bah! What do they know?! :facepalm:

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

Snake oil...enough said. Or should I say 40-60% snake oil and the rest isopropyl alcohol and Naphtha.
http://www.seafoamsales.com/msds-downloads.html
The alcohol will possibly dry out the fuel a bit. Not sure what really is a stabilizer in it though!

Seafoam's claim to fame is as a System Cleaner
Stabil's claim is a Fuel Stabilizer.


If you keep tracking the Snake Oil portion upstream ...

Snake Oil >>> 40-60% Pale Oil >>> CAS# 64742-54-7 >>> Heavy Petroleum Paraffinic Distillate

Heavy Petroleum Paraffinic Distillate = Second Cousin to Diesel / Kerosene
Naptha = White Gas / Coleman Camp Fuel.

So ... Seafoam is ...

50% Kerosene
30% White Gas
20% Alcohol

They would never put it in such terms!

No wonder it makes such a good solvent!

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

Even more interesting!

Stabil's MSDS indicates that it is composed 95% of CAS#64742-47-8
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/51/51404d5d-ddd9-4069-be56-02cdd2e39dd1.pdf

The CAS#64742-47-8, MSDS Identification section describes it as ...
A "Light Hydrotreated Petroleum Distillate" intended to be a "Fuel for use in domestic and commercial heating and lighting equipment."

The Hazards Section classifies CAS#64742-47-8 as "Contains Kerosine." (Their Spelling!)
http://www-static.shell.com/static/...m_hydrotreated_light_cas_64742-47-8_nl_en.pdf



Stabil ... An expensive form of Home Heating Oil / Kerosene with a Pretty Red Dye for effect ... then mixed at 320 to 1.

What were you expecting? Anaconda Snake Oil?

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

Damn, knew I forgot something!:facepalm:

 

[Philster]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

Snake oil: You guys realize you are using the incorrect terms to describe stabilizer, right?

You sound upset to be paying for a specific blend of something that works -- ingredients that seem innocuous because they aren't some amazing lab-created set of super molecules unprecedented in our lifetime. However, since they work and are recommended by engineers and consultants in the industry, they aren't snake oil anymore than many products you use.

You just sound upset to being paying too much for something, when you can easily blend your own mix of 50% Kerosene, 30% White Gas and 20% Alcohol, which you have sitting around.

.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

Not Upset here!

I went wading through all the MSDS's because "Inquiring Minds Want To Know!"

I found the Snake Oil comments humorous.
Even Snake Oil has it's proper uses...
http://www.plumbersurplus.com/Prod/General-Wire-SOQ-Snake-Oil-1-Quart/8212/Cat/406

I suppose, today, we prefer Fish Oil and Omega-3 fatty acids!!

I had no expectation that there was anything special/magic in any of these products.
However, may people are happy to go along with the marketing hype, and believe they are getting the greatest thing since canned soup!
To make an informed decision, you need to know what you are actually buying.

You could certainly mix up somethig similar at home much cheaper if you wished.
Such is the price of convenience.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

You sound upset to be paying for a specific blend of something that works -- ingredients that seem innocuous because they aren't some amazing lab-created set of super molecules unprecedented in our lifetime. However, since they work and are recommended by engineers and consultants in the industry, they aren't snake oil anymore than many products you use.

So what consultants in the industry recommend SeaFoam as a stabilizer?

And if the oil in the SeaFoam is a stabilizer, how come they recommend adding it to 2 stroke gasoline that already has oil in it?

I love rattling the cages of the SeaFoam guys on here that think its just the greatest elixer in the world.

 

[Part-time]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

I only use it for things that will sit all summer. Like my snowblower or snowmobiles.

 

[Philster]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

So what consultants in the industry recommend SeaFoam as a stabilizer?

And if the oil in the SeaFoam is a stabilizer, how come they recommend adding it to 2 stroke gasoline that already has oil in it?

I love rattling the cages of the SeaFoam guys on here that think its just the greatest elixer in the world.

Which ones don't?

Brand names are rarely recommended unless it's a paid endorsement, but you already knew that, so the question becomes loaded.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

My point is that anyone can come out with a product and call it a stabilizer. Since its not a drug or a food item for a human, there is not going to be any agency that gets to dispute their claims. There are some "stabilizers" that are 100% isopropyl alcohol. Maybe a good gas drier but hardly a stabilizer.

 

[sasto]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

I've been using Sta-Bil for over a year in my ethanol laced fuel. Not one fuel related problem...yet. Can I atribute it to the stabilizer? Don't know. Never been without it to find out. I feel it's a small price to pay for insurance.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: A poll to stablize or not

And if the oil in the SeaFoam is a stabilizer, how come they recommend adding it to 2 stroke gasoline that already has oil in it?

That is an easy answer!
If they can get you to add an Oil to a fuel that already has oil in it, they make more money.

I've been using Sta-Bil for over a year in my ethanol laced fuel. Not one fuel related problem...yet. Can I atribute it to the stabilizer? Don't know. Never been without it to find out. I feel it's a small price to pay for insurance.

It seems the average user, uses it religiously.
You just need to believe it works, don't question it, or you may risk facing the wrath of Baccus! (God of Alcohol!)

My point is that anyone can come out with a product and call it a stabilizer. Since its not a drug or a food item for a human, there is not going to be any agency that gets to dispute their claims. There are some "stabilizers" that are 100% isopropyl alcohol. Maybe a good gas drier but hardly a stabilizer.

And, What is a "Stabilizer" anyway?
Just what is becoming "Unstable", and how does it become "Stabilized?"
If you just mention the "S" word, everyone nods their heads and agrees that it is truly a good thing!
I have to admit, it sure sound like something you would not want to be without.
The last thing you would want is 10 gallons of your gas becoming unstable and ..... ???
Wait, just what does it do???

It is suprising that if you do a search for "How do Fuel Stabilizers work?", all you get is answers like "They Work Great!".
I can not find any scientific explanations of just what they do chemically.
Anyone?

In defense of Seafoam... Kerosene, White Gas and Alcohol are all great solvents.
I recently rebuilt an old outboard and sprayed Seafoam on all the oil and carbon on the pistons and exhaust manifold.
It did a yeomans job of dissolving the stuff!
Almost as good as Carb Cleaner. (Which no one will argue doesn't work!)