I’m on the Stabol added to non ethanol gas team. I put it in everything but my daily driver.
Just my two cents, but I wanted to share some personal observations about ethanol-blended fuel and its impact on small engines over the years. I can’t back this up with scientific proof, but from my own experience, ethanol has caused me more headaches than I’d like to count.
Years ago, when ethanol was introduced into the fuel industry, I began encountering regular carburetor failures. Having a primary home in the Northeast and a secondary home in South Carolina, my yard equipment would sit unused for months at a time. During these periods, ethanol’s tendency to absorb moisture and gum up carburetors became a real pain. At its peak, I was cleaning out three or four carbs annually—often just as I needed them most! It reminded me of the present day battery failure rate with my yard tractors, wheelers, and even my jet ski, always at the worst possible times.
Back in New York before moving to my retirement home in 2013, non-ethanol fuel wasn’t available, so I was forced to deal with these issues. Now that I can access non-ethanol gas, those issues have nearly vanished. The difference has been night and day.
To cover all bases, I also mix Stabil into every tank of gas (except my daily driver) whenever I fuel up. It’s a simple step that eliminates the guesswork of tracking which equipment got treated. I use this routine across everything: my ’52 Chevy Truck, my wife’s 2007 VW Eos (which also sits for months), all the gas powered yard equipment and all of my toys.
To me, it gives me a bit more time to work on the projects I want to work on, making room for what inspires me, not just what demands my attention.
