I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

[Dave0549jv]

I filled my 120 gallon fuel tank up with non ethanol just before I pulled the boat for the winter. I meant to throw in some fuel stabilizer for the winter months, but completely forgot. Several months later, It's almost time for launch, and I'm wondering if I should be worried.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

Not ideal, as you know, but not a lot you can do about it. How many months are we talking about? . . . untreated fuel should be OK for 3 months. If it were 3 years then no way.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

non-ethanol should be OK

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

I've said it before...good friend of mine is adamant that the manufacturers have no idea when the gas they make will be used so it leaves the plant with an additive already. I still would treat mine accordingly.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

I filled my 120 gallon fuel tank up with non ethanol just before I pulled the boat for the winter. I meant to throw in some fuel stabilizer for the winter months, but completely forgot. Several months later, It's almost time for launch, and I'm wondering if I should be worried.

I didn't put any in either - ever. 6 months later I just start the boat, car or snowmobile and use it.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

no worries

 

[Dave0549jv]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

Not ideal, as you know, but not a lot you can do about it. How many months are we talking about? . . . untreated fuel should be OK for 3 months. If it were 3 years then no way.

Wow.. has it really been 7 months?? Why do I live in NY again? Thank you for the reassuring words. I'll just make sure I burn all of that gas as soon as possible and get some new stuff!

 

[thumpar]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

I forgot one year and it was fine. There was a year that we took the summer off from boating because of the new child. The gas sat in there for about 20 months. I drained it just to be careful and used it in my van. It ran fine.

 

[agallant80]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

I gave up on using the stuff long time ago. Have never had an issue with bad gas.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

your non-ethanol should be good for just a bit more. however I would burn it quickly and refuel.

 

[ronaldj]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

Since you are on the East Coast and the north east and mid atlantic area is notorious for bad gas.
I would add some octane booster or Sea Foam to it and add some 91 or 93 octane gas ASAP.
If it was a small outboard it would be toast.

Do you know if you got the winter or the summer blend of gas?

 

[edthearcher]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

i use sea foam in every thing, truck cars, lawn mower, and my 2 boats

 

[rallyart]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

I just started a car that had been sitting for 8 years. Look at the fuel. If it looks and smells like gas it will be fine. After less than a year I would not worry a bit.

 

[fm50ford]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

I never use stabilizer and my lawn mowers cars and plow truck always run fine. I have had gas in a vehicle for more than 3 years and still ran it out okay. If you are doubtful than add some fresh gas to it and go. Should be no problem

 

[Grub54891]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

Run it for a bit,change out the fuel filters,dump them in a jar and have a look at what ya got. I bet it's fine.

 

[ronaldj]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

I just started a car that had been sitting for 8 years. Look at the fuel. If it looks and smells like gas it will be fine. After less than a year I would not worry a bit.

Not in the area he lives in.
I'm speaking of 87 and 85 octane fuel
We have different additives added to the fuel which causes all types of buildups in engines.
In the larger engines it fouls the plugs and clogs the fuel injectors.
In small engines it totally clogs the carbarators

 

[Bubbasboat]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

So I'm personally totally confused! I have a thread very similar to this one ( http://forums.iboats.com/non-repair-outboard-discussions/fuel-oil-longevity-question-646363.html ) and I have the same thing happening. On one hand, it's a total sin and don't even think about using any fuel older than virtually just pumped in, to it never goes bad unless water gets in it, don't worry just use it! What is the real answer? Why and how does fuel go bad? Does it matter if you have 2 cycle oil in it?

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

Yep, and that;s the way it's going to be. Everybody has their own opinion and their own procedures and they all swear by what they do. That's just the way it is. The real answer is whatever works for an individual. You'll have to try your own ways and go with what works for you.

Some people call stabilizers snake oil and a waste of money. Others swear by them. I'm one that uses Seafoam in everything. Does it truly work? As far as I can tell because I never have issues when using it. Could I use nothing and still not have issues, perhaps. But I'm not willing to find out just by saving a few bucks by not using it.

As far as fuel, I don't like to carry it more than 1 year before I start adding fresh. Can it go longer, sure, but I wont let it. Will it go 8 years w/o going bad? I find that hard to believe. I personally wouldn't touch 3 year old fuel. Not worth potential problems. Basically when fuel goes bad it starts smelling like varnish.

You're never going to get everyone to agree. Best you can hope for is to get the majority on the same page and that may only be 51% of the members that respond........ This is just my opinion.............

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

The only time I EVER put Stabil in my gas-- which was the fall of 2012, in the toy tank in the SkipperLiner-- I had problems with the gas. The fuel separator filled up with red slime & guck, and I couldn't keep the generator running at all last summer. The carb's sediment filter had the same guck in it the filter had, and I kept getting it after changing the filter and cleaning the sediment filter.

Speaking of generators, the gas in the genny fuel tank in the Party Cruiser has been in there since 2006, and I'll bet the genny will still fire up (it did last year).

That's my experience(s) with and without Stabil.

 

[achris]

Re: I didn't put any fuel stabilizer in when I laid up.

The main variable that cause fuel to go stale is temperature. The higher the temperature, the quicker the fuel goes rotten (and if you've ever smelt rotten fuel you'll know why it's referred to as 'stale' :faint...

If you laid up for a winter (read 'low temperatures') then your fuel will last considerably longer than it would in summer. In our north (closer to the equator) summertime temperatures rarely drop below 90 degrees (and that's including night!), and fuel straight out of the pump has a 'shelf life' of about 6 weeks.... I believe that where you are was quite cold this winter. Did the temperature actually go above freezing?

Chris.......