Stabil Ethanol Treatment

[wallydc2]

I was just wondering, with the 10% ethanol in fuel now days, does anyone use stabil ethanol treatment? I have a 1991 mercruiser 3.0l with a rebuilt carb on it. It was rebuilt because of WOT issues. Is this new stuff worth using to avoid future problems with the ethanol issues?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Stabil Ethanol Treatment

Let me put it this way! It won't hurt anything. If you have a clean fuel system and a water separating fuel filter you don't need Stabil except for long periods of storage but it doesn't hurt to use it. I happen to prefer Sea Foam.

 

[wallydc2]

Re: Stabil Ethanol Treatment

Thanks, I have some seafoam so I'll use it instead of buying the ethanol stabil.

 

[UnregisteredUser]

Re: Stabil Ethanol Treatment

I don't want to jack your thread, but your questions brings to mind another question. Will the 10% ethanol in fuel hurt an older motor? Say a 70s motor outboard. My wife has been putting it into her blazer, and it has toasted the fuel gauge.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Stabil Ethanol Treatment

And because the fuel gauge quit you immediately thought the ethanol was at fault??????????? Highly unlikely and more likely mere coincidence.

Older vehicles did not have ethanol tolerant gaskets, plastic and rubber parts in the fuel system so over time they could be impacted. A secondary issue is dirt, grim, and varnish in the fuel system. Ethanol is an excellent fuel system cleaner so if the fuel system on a boat, car, bus, truck, lawnmower, garden tiller, chain saw, weed whacker (I think I hit them all) has been neglected, that gunk is freed up and deposited in the fuel filter and the carb is also loosened up and the stuff plugs up jets. Replace the fuel lines with ethanol tolerant parts, rebuild the carb, replace the filter (buy a couple of spares) and away you go. We've used E10 in Minnesota for years with no serious issues other than the initial crud problem on older vehicles.

 

[UnregisteredUser]

Re: Stabil Ethanol Treatment

And because the fuel gauge quit you immediately thought the ethanol was at fault??????????? Highly unlikely and more likely mere coincidence.

I know I read somewhere a few years back that it would cause the brass floats to erode on older vehicle's. I also remember reading at the same time it would effect the Stainless Steal screen found in lawn mower's and chainsaw's exhaust. I promptly removed them from all of my small engines. The screen only acts as a spark arrestor anyways.

However after reading your post I found this supporting the portion I have quoted, and portions of the rest of your text.

Clicky

Thanks for setting me straight.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Stabil Ethanol Treatment

I have three chain saws, all of which were manufactured prior to E10 becoming available and none of them have had a problem with any stainless parts. In fact there are two issues on chain saws. 1) Some fuel tanks are essentially formed by the two halves of the saw housing. The interior of those tanks was coated to prevent leaks at the split. E10 in some cases turned that coating to powder which creates a running problem. 2) fuel lines were made of a material that would harden and disintegrate. Other than that, they run just fine. As the article you mentioned, E10 won't harm any engine other than as pointed out with the crud issue. As for stainless steel, that is one metal that IS ethanol tolerant and is recommended for plumbing. Soft metals like brass can produce powdery residue unless nickel plated.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Stabil Ethanol Treatment

My 2 cents.

If your tank had a coating of fiberglass inside of it, some did older tanks, than the new gas will eat it and foul up your system.

Other than that, i have been running my really old snowblower on it. 50+ years old no problem.

85' merc 4 banger running good on it. As was my 85' omc 4 banger.

Your fuel gage going was just age related.

I have spoke to alot of guys with even older boat motors no problem.

The really older motor have issues with no lead in the gas that can be fixed a different way.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Stabil Ethanol Treatment

Oh forgot about the original question, no i don't use it. Every day nowadays i'm helping people by cleaning out their carbs on small motors.

Cause of the stay-bil.

I don't use it, need it, or want it.

If you were gonna keep say 50 gallons of gas in a drum for a year maybe i would add it, i did back in the 00 scare.

But than whatever settled to the bottom of the barrel i didn't use.

 

[abj87]

Re: Stabil Ethanol Treatment

My 2 cents.

If your tank had a coating of fiberglass inside of it, some did older tanks, than the new gas will eat it and foul up your system.

This is something to check. I believe its only certain resins that are effected by it. If you have a metal tank you have nothing to worry about. Generally the 10% ethanol/gas mix is not enough to cause problems with anything. As always even without ethanol you should do periodic checks of the fuel system. I check it every time i start the engine.

 

[abj87]

Re: Stabil Ethanol Treatment

My 2 cents.

If your tank had a coating of fiberglass inside of it, some did older tanks, than the new gas will eat it and foul up your system.

This is something to check. I believe its only certain resins that are effected by it. If you have a metal tank you have nothing to worry about. Generally the 10% ethanol/gas mix is not enough to cause problems with anything. As alway even without ethanol you should do periodic checks of the fuel system. I check it every time i start the engine.

I only use stabil at the end of the season to winterize.