The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Re: Preparing your truck for winter

Congrats to those who use the ethanol-laced fuel with no issues. I'm assuming, then, you have fuel systems with ethanol-capable rubber in them ... or you're just lucky (your time will come ...)

I've had VERY bad experience with ethanol-based fuel -- The ODSS members will remember being on the side of I-66 watching my newly repainted fire truck catch fire because the ethanol fuel trashed the fuel pump, split the fuel line (which sprayed fuel on a hot exhaust manifold) and trashed the carburetor. Ended up throwing the Stromberg in the trash and replacing it with a Holley 4-barrel. Luckly, and through Mike Roache's quick actions, we got the fire out before too much "bad" happened. I will *happily* pay a buck more per gallon, and go out of my way, to ensure none of that ethanol CRAP gets into *any* of my antiques or small engines.

Letting a vehicle sit in storage with ethanol-laced fuel is unwise -- the fuel will break down and it will absorb moisture causing rust. I wouldn't trust any fuel additives to prevent this -- even sea foam. You put a lot of time and money into these vehicles, why subject it to crappy fuel?

My Stihl dealer (Milt -- has been around small engines for most of his 80 years) told me a long time ago to only use 89 octane non-ethanol fuel in my small engines. A chainsaw I bought from him 22 years ago (Stihl MS360, of course) still starts by 3rd pull, even after sitting for months. My Stovebolts have run for years on 89 octane non-ethanol.

So no, NOT a fan of ethanol gas.

I go to town and fill up with no ethanol gas and put in a can of seafoam. Drive home and change the oil and filter. Then park in the pole building all winter and don't start it again till spring. I've been doing this for years without having any problems.

I'm certainly no advocate of that crap, either. My vehicles get driven all the time as regular transportation, not just once in a while to go to shows and whatnot. That may explain why I don't have problems with it.

It's been 18 years since its introduction here and aside from the stretched fuel pump diaphragm a couple months after that, all's been good.

I wonder if Atlanta has a different blend than other places that makes it less destructive?

Otto -- I reckon that's the case. Probably no one on Stovebolt puts miles on their trucks like you do. You don't give that crap time to cause mischief!

No ethanol in any of my older vehicles or (new or old) outdoor power equipment. I’ve also learned the hard way many years ago.

John

The good news is the rate of any decomposition of ethanol gas is slowed down at lower temperatures, as in the winter of Wisconsin, Montana, etc. It's usually expressed with a temperature increase. Chemists say the rate of an average chemical reaction doubles for every 10 degrees C increase. Go figure the reverse.

A winter w/o Stabil is no problem (for me). Summer boat gas might be another story.

Clearly some folks run ethanol in a variety of applications without experiencing problems. Some people , on the other hand , have nightmare stories to tell.
When my engine was designed and built gasoline was simpler AND free of ethanol or any other plant juice. I choose to avoid the corn.
Don’t get me started on the environmental benefits OR lack thereof , the moderators would not like it.
Same for the subsidy racket.
A Stovebolt frequent flyer who shall not be named as I have not been given permission to to quote him (name starts with J and ends with Millman…)
said “You put a lot of time and money into these vehicles , why subject it to crappy fuel?”

My sentiments exactly.

I usually add Sta-bil and Marvel Mystery oil to the gas tank and then drive my 1961 Apache with a 235 straight six so I know that they are mixed in the entire fuel system.
I have done this with all my oilder vehicles that I have owned includimg my 1966 Chevelle that I have owned for 53 years. I addition, I never fill the gas tank to the top.
I usually keep in between 1/4 to half full. Lastly, I wish I had a heated garage but I never had a problem with my vehicles in an unheated garage.

JB66, why do you keep the tank 1/4 to 1/2 full only?

I was always told to keep gas tanks full in order to minimize the amount of condensation that can form in the empty air space of the tank and thus minimize the amount of water that gets into the fuel.

I hear some idiots think you can add good gas to bad gas and make it good.
It does not work that way.
A trick to keeping water formation down ,no matter what kind of tank you have is to
move the truck, lawn mower, whatever enough to slosh fuel on the walls of the tank.

FWIW , I am a believer in Marvel Mystery Oil. For a quarter century I owned and operated an ATOMIC 4 , a flathead inline 4 cylinder gas engine, auxiliary propulsion for a 34ft sailboat. It is a delightfully simple , reliable engine built by Universal of Oshkosh Wi. The ATOMIC 4 has an almost cult following, and to become part of that cult one must swear to total faith in Marvel Mystery Oil.

I believe!

I credit MMO with de-gunkifying the fuel system in my brother's motorcycle after is sat for 3 or 4 years without being used.

I was wondering if MMO is a fuel stabilizer or not. thanks

It is a fuel stabilizer that prevents fuel oxidation. It also acts as solvent to break down varnish in carburetors and fuel lines , injectors, etc.

MMO increases the lubricity (slippery-ness) of the gasoline or fuel. It doesn't protect against oxidation. I'm pretty sure it's a saturated hydrocarbon. I could show that at my former workplace.

I use it in my Dodge/diesel since removal of the sulfur compounds from diesel fuel back when decreased its lubricity.

I’ve never tried adding MMO to fuel. Stabil and occasionally Seafoam are my go to products for the gas tank.

John

MMO claims that it prevents fuel oxidation and stabilizes fuel during storage.

Kinda why I was wondering. MMO makes no mention on the bottle as a fuel stabilizer.

I found it on their website but they give no real details.

If fuel stabilizer is what is required I would you use StaBil.