Gas additives.......are they needed?

[Thom M]

Hi,<br /><br />If you use your boat once a week do you need to add a gas stabilizer? if so is automotive grade OK or is ther special marine grade required <br /><br />Thank Thom

 

[DJ]

Re: Gas additives.......are they needed?

Thom,<br /><br />If you use it once a week, I wouldn't bother. However, almost all the major OB amnufacturers offer fuel additives that help prevent piston ring sticking. Those products are good but I don't feel you need to use them on every tankfull

 

[rpeeples]

Re: Gas additives.......are they needed?

I used Sta-Bil last year and it gummed up my carbs. According to my mechanic, whom I hold in very high regard, never pour anything in the gas tank except gas and 2-cycle oil. <br /><br />I beleive I will play it safe and follow his advice!

 

[johnyi]

Re: Gas additives.......are they needed?

Yamaha recommends using Ring-free additive in every tankfull for their engines. I believe this is to control carbon buildup. I also give my motor the full spray can treatment once a year. I think Valvtect has similar products (Carbon-free). A lot of good mechanics swear by this stuff. Also, when you store your boat over the winter, most recommend topping off the tank and adding a good stabilizer.<br />John

 

[grandx]

Re: Gas additives.......are they needed?

In regards to Russel's comments, I have many small engines that I ran fuel without stabilizer, if you let them sit for any length of time with fuel in the carb, it will turn to varnish and clog up the carbs it's just a matter of how long they sit unused. With single carb 2 strokes and all 4 strokes I run the carbs dry if I plan to leave them idle for any length of time. Multi carb 2 stokes- I use fuel stabilizer and cross my fingers that it lives up to 1/2 of what the manufacturer claims. You should not try to run multi carb 2 strokes dry, if one carb runs out of fuel before the other, no lubrication/engine damage. <br /><br />Some products (especialy additives) are not 100% as good as the claims on the bottle, but I seriously doubt that they work exactly in reverse. i.e. "decarb" does not cause carbon build up, and "stabil" does not cause gas to turn to varnish quicker than without.... but maybe I'm wrong... <br /><br />Think I'll get some fresh gas today, treat one with stabilizer and leave the other untreated pour equal amounts in two similair containers without lids and moniter the rate of evaporation (whats left is varnish). I'll post my findings later.

 

[my new fishmaster]

Re: Gas additives.......are they needed?

I think some of the info has some merit but my 2cyl gas trimmer has 3 year old gas in it and will not start. If you plan on leaving the gas in the tank more than 4 months use a stabablizer for sure. Just dont use as much like half of what they recommend. Now if she is going to sit like a year or so follow the directions and cross your fingers. I never will purchase gas from small marinas again nothing but problems with quality of gas. Fresh gas in my rig please!