is it worth using???

[Ken B.]

Just curious on everyones thoughts on using sta-bil for winter storage.My car will be in a non heated garage from now until spring.
Thanks

[Martin N.]

Re: is it worth using???

KEN-

I just posted this question a week or so ago. Search the archives and you'll come up with a wealth of information.

Marty

[Lyndon S.]

Re: is it worth using???

I have used it with good results , gas today goes bad real quick. It surely want hurt it, just cheap insurance for this crappy gas gumming up on you in the winter.

[Terry D.]

Re: is it worth using???

I agree with Lyndon, it can't hurt anything and for the little it costs why would you want to take a chance. Been using it in my cars and boats for the last twenty years. Just my 2 cents
Terry

[Chris L.]

Re: is it worth using???

Probably a dumb question, but, does Sta-bil go bad??? I had put some in my portable generator and went to start it and it had gummed up the carb. Had to have it taken apart and cleaned. I have had a large bottle of Sta-bil for a couple of years. No expiration date on it, but something went wrong. Mixture was as directed. Now I'm afraid to put it in the Corvette as I don't want to have to drop the tank or rebuild the carb.
Chris

[Terry D.]

Re: is it worth using???

You could call the makers of StaBil and ask them but I've never heard of it going bad. Here in the North I use it in my Corvette, snow blower, yard tractor, boat, etc for at least twenty years with no such problems. Did you let the engine run long enough to get it thru the carb?
Terry

[Paul J.]

Re: is it worth using???

Chris:

I use Sta-bil for Terry's reasons. It's cheap, I've never heard anything bad about it (until your post), and it's good insurance. I have a lot of yard equipment, a motorcycle, and presently 12 cars (don't ask) all of which can sit for months at a time without being run. I've only used Sta-bil for the last few years, but I never had any prior problems before I started using it. I still don't use it in everything, but I bet I will if I ever get a gummed up carburator!

By the very nature of what it is, I would imagine that it is shelf stable for a long time. I would'nt worry about it going bad.

Paul

[Lyndon S.]

Re: is it worth using???

Did you just put it in the tank and walk away? Are did you let it run until it got into the carburetor an lines good?

[Paul J.]

Re: is it worth using???

I try to move the equipment/cars in order to mix it into the gas in the tank, and I run it for several minutes or drive it until I think it's hit the carburator.

[Jay G.]

Re: is it worth using???

Definetly worth using. Have used it in our put up cars. Do run the engine as described. Gonna try on the tractor next.

[Duke W.]

Re: is it worth using???

I've been storing cars for six to twelve months for the last 15 years - don't use any "fuel preservatives" - and have never had a fuel system problem.

My cars are stored in cool to hot weather. The colder the storage, the less tendency the fuel has to go "bad".

Duke

[Robert R.]

Re: is it worth using???

By coincidence, I was asked this same question today as to if I used a stabilizer for my car. Living in northern Illinois, we do get some cold weather, but I have never thought to use this in my car, and have not had any issues. Although I do cheat a bit in the winter by taking the car out on a clear sunny (but cold) day just for a ride around the block (or 3 blocks).
Is this more an issue due to the ethanol blends in our fuel these days?
Bob

[Wayne P.]

Re: is it worth using???

I put stabilizer in for the winter months. I found it best to let the car run for a few minutes . I also add in the spring gas line antifreeze to make sure all moisture is gone. Wish I were in a southern warm state over the winter months.

[Dale S.]

Re: is it worth using???

I saw an ad today on TV introducing the new Marine Stabuilt for fuels with ethanol. It is green and accorging to the ad fights erosion on metal parts and rubber. Dale

[John M.]

Re: is it worth using???

I live in MN and therefore have quiet a few gas engines I pickle each fall for the six month winter. Sta-bil does have a shelf life, I to have had a problem with fuel gumming up a carb with Sta-bil treated gas. My suggestion is to switch to using "Sea Foam" if you can find it. Check it out on www.seafoamsales.com. I've used it for about the last 5 years in everything from a desel skidsteer to a chainsaw as well as my 67 Corvette and have never had a fuel related issue coming out of storage. (Just counted, I winterized eleven gas engines in last two weeks!). Dump the Sea Foam in the gas, let unit run for five or ten minutes to assure the treated fuel gets into the carb and you'll be good.