How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

mickjetblue

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
509
I'm not looking to promote any particular brand of product, but I just
wondered how often everyone uses some fuel stabilizer or conditioner
in their fuel. I see many posts about slow idling and carburator problems,
and I have found that both of those have not been problems at all for me
since I started using fuel stabilizer consistently.

I put a couple of ounces into each tank, and that seems to do the trick.
I think it is a preventive maintenance measure, keeping the fuel system
cleaned all the time, rather than letting crud build up, and then having to
treat a problem.
 

bhammer

Ensign
Joined
Mar 29, 2008
Messages
963
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

I use one all the time, and it it formulated to help deal with the ethonal fuels. It is high strength and has a built in measure for each load of gas. I think it is up to 20 gal per ounce.
 

frankie g

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 14, 2007
Messages
388
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

I use Tron, everytime I ad gas... 1 oz. per 16 gals. never miss adding it!
 

bjcsc

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
1,805
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

I use it when I winterize and use nothing else all the rest of the time...I also use premium gasoline...
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,758
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

SeaFoam for me in every tank during the season and Stabil during winter storage.
 

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

I have never use it at all and never had a problem. Boat one year was not used for 8 months and I figured would be a big problem so made sure the kicker had fresh gas but when we went out could not tell the difference.
 

a70eliminator

Captain
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Messages
3,688
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

Well that makes me feel alot better, I fueled up mid april 40gal and I've been out only once since that still have 3/4 tank of 2month old gas and may not get back out for a few weeks yet. I'm not using additives, but as someone said already fuel of today isn't what it used to be, so I'm told.
 

Dakota47

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 22, 2007
Messages
722
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

during winter only.:D
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
15,417
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

I only use it during my 2 month winter layover. I have a 92 gallon tank and try to keep it at least half full at all times to minimize condensation. I also refuel after every outing to keep fresh gas in the mix.

Addative wise I don't use anything. I've been using e-10 for 3 years now and its cleaned my system out to the point that everything looks like new from the tank to the carbs bowls. The Racor takes care of any water that my have infiltrated the system. Lifes good :)
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,758
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

If you have carbed two stroke power, carbon guard, SeaFoam or any of the other additives are highly recommended to keep carbon build-up to a minimum. SeaFoam is a great product for a high-dose decarb process.
 

Maclin

Admiral
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
6,761
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

I use Sta-Bil each time I put gas in (V8 sterndrive, 87 octane). It does not seem to affect performance at all, and realistically I never know how long it will be until I get back out in it. Also that way it is always all the way thru the fuel system so if I do need to do a quick layup I do not have to worry about getting treated fuel all the way into the carb. I just leave it thru the winter with whatever gas there is left after the last trip.
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

stabil at the end of the season for winter layup... after sumerization. premium fuel + keep fuel tank topped off on the high side
 

NSBCraig

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 21, 2007
Messages
1,907
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

I use Stabil every time I .....um have some.
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

Stabil for winter storage and about 3 cans of Seafoam over the summer..:)
 

KETELS

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 15, 2008
Messages
39
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

There was a article in one of the boat magazines about this.
It saied if you don't use your boat every weekend you should use some form of stabilizer all the time. I use Stabilizer all the time.
 

eli_lilly

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 22, 2005
Messages
435
Re: How often do you use fuel stabilizer?

I used nothing until two weeks ago when I had 12 gallons of E10 phase separate after two weeks in the Florida humidity. It's the first fuel problem I've had in 3 years and the outboard would not run at all on that tank. Now I use Star Tron on every fill.

-E
 
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