Stabilizing gas???

[Hanapaa808]

Do I really need to stabilizer in my gas every time I put gas. How long does it for gas to go bad??

 

[Philster]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

 

[mxcobra]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

gas wil go bad in 3-4 mounths, faster if its on brass or rubber parts-the parts in your carb.
No need for stabilizer, unless the motor sits unused for a few mounths.
Persanally I dont use it. If my motor's sit I will make sure all the gas is drained out!,including carb.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

If I know I wont be using it for a month or better, I use it. In my other 2 cycl gas for crain saw, snow blower, weed wachker, ect. I mix it up all the time, because, it may be awhile be I use it all.

 

[Philster]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

gas wil go bad in 3-4 mounths.

Not in 3-4 months.

faster if its on brass or rubber parts-the parts in your carb

It doesn't go bad faster on certain parts, but you must be eluding to the effects ethanol can have on some materials.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

An old Indian joke is coming to mind:facepalm:

 

[robert graham]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

Do I really need to stabilizer in my gas every time I put gas. How long does it for gas to go bad??

Gas in a tank can start to deteriorate within several weeks or months and cause real and potentially expensive problems in your fuel delivery system, pumps, filters, carbs, injectors, etc. If you run you motor daily/regularly, adding fresh gas(like in a car), then maybe you don't need stabilizer, but if it's gonna be sitting up for a while(weeks/months), then you'll be better off using the Stabil or Seafoam.
That said, I use stabilizer all the time, less when I'm running the motor a lot, more when it'll be sitting for a while. The stabilizers are a Whole lot cheaper than repairing plugged up filters, carbs, injectors. Good Luck!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

It is my understanding ethanol gas can start to go bad at 30 days or less and non ethanol gas is around 90 days and that depending on how long it sat around before you bought it so yes I treat mine with sea foam. I have twin tanks I use one as a main and one as a reserve as matter of conveyance when filling up at the gas dock. My boat is used several times a week but it has been known to rain here for several weeks in a row. So its just simpler to treat it and not have to worry about it. If you have ever bothered to read the sea foam web site you will find thier is a lot of very positive reasons to use it other than just preserving the fuel it will help ensure the long life of your motor.


http://www.seafoamsales.com/motor-treatment.html

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

DOES anybody have a statement from oil companies on THEIR official letter headed paper, WHEN THEIR gasoline needs to be treated ? So much statements. So little from the gasoline companies.

 

[Philster]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

This is on Exxon letter head and includes a print option:

http://www.exxon.com/USA-English/GFM/fuels_quality_gas_faq.aspx

 

[Philster]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

Texaco

 

[Philster]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

DOES anybody have a statement from oil companies on THEIR official letter headed paper, WHEN THEIR gasoline needs to be treated ? So much statements. So little from the gasoline companies.

Calm down. No need for yelling. The fuel companies are not going to recommend that any of their fuels be treated with anything. Considering the number of additives and infinite number of variables, the safest thing they can do is stay out of it by suggesting you use it within a month or two, or store it in a metal container almost full and sealed.

They need to minimize their liability. Even the American Petroleum Institute, which is an entity representing all of their best interest and is funded by the fuel companies, recommends using fuel when it is fresh and storing it properly.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

I guess the question might be, "how long did the gas sit in the storage tanks at the refinery, distribution depot, on the truck, the in-ground tank at the gas station, then in the tank on your boat?" Hey, roll the dice!....I'll stick with the stabilizers!

 

[Philster]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

The companies who have to spend millions of dollars dealing with the fuel tell you to treat it with Stabil or something similar. While this doesn't stop all problems, it does help counter a few of them.

You have to poke around to put 2 and 2 together: Generally, storing more than a season = stabilize it. Also, you are more likely to have problems with partially full tanks -- not guaranteed to have problems, just more likely. Ergo, you CANNOT chime in here and tell us you did it and didn't have a problem. No one is arguing that. Storing more than a season and only partially full = more likely to have trouble. If you didn't experience trouble with a partially full tank: Congratulations!

There is also a consensus that completely -- emphasis on completely -- drained tanks are best. There is also a general consensus that it is virtually impossible to truly drain a built-in tank. If it ain't bone dry, fill it around 90% and treat it.

Guess what? Anyone have anecdotal evidence that demonstrates that you ran a mix of old gas, cattle urine and soup broth after 18 months without a problem? Congratulations, no one said you were guaranteed to have a problem.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

Well Chevron does have a safe life stated on their corporate web site. Plus statements about additives.

Surf.................. gasoline shelf life............look for the Chevron web links

 

[Philster]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

Well Chevron does have a safe life stated on their corporate web site. Plus statements about additives.

Surf.................. gasoline shelf life............look for the Chevron web links

Feel free to post the link. Can't find it.

Suspect it says short shelf life and, hey, don't add anything to our gasoline.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

I can not transfer web stuff well.

Surf this.. Chevron gasoline storage life .. pick the best of the posts.

Rich

 

[Philster]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

Chevron says the same thing as the rest, but sticks its neck out and recommends stabilizer if stored for more than 6 months with temps that exceed 80 degrees. Says store it sealed and 90-95% full.

Every fuel/ethanol thread evolves into the same series/theme of recommendations.

 

[A/C Guy]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

Do I really need to stabilizer in my gas every time I put gas. How long does it for gas to go bad??

That is like asking "which is better, synthetic oil or dino oil?" You will get plenty of opinions.
My 2 stroke Merc has gas that is over 1 year old. The 24 gallon tank was 1/4 full. I took it to the lake, it started right up, ran for a couple hours without a hiccup. I then refilled the tank and parked it. Since we bought a new wake boat, the fishing boat has been sitting.

There are stories of gas absorbing water in more humid climates and that is what really ruins pump gas. The ethanol absorbs water, then it destabilizes and separates. So you end up with layers of various liquids in your tank. That is what causes your engine to burn a hole in a piston when ethanol laced gas goes bad.

The best prevention is to always keep your tank full, cap on tight, and if you won't use it for 2 months, then spend $5 for the proper additive.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Stabilizing gas???

I now will use some stabilizer this spring on the first refill up. We do not use thr V8 boat much & when I do I go WOT a lot. So I can smell the fumes every sunny day when I am polish or checking out something.

Why the gas odor / fumes ? 2 barrel carburator. All carbs will evaporate all the gas out in hot weather untill the fuel line pressure drops to zero PSI.

Then it is a long cranking to to refill the carburator bowl up again.
I only crank for 3 seconds at a time. Allows the pump pressure to fill the bowl with less cranking.
3 seconds crank ...10 seconds no crank... 3 seconds crank. Etc.

Rich