The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk How Stable is Sta-bil?

I've had a bottle of Sta-bil for probably ten years, and each season I dutifully put some in the tanks of all the gas tanks I'm putting into seasonal storage. You know, lawn mowers, snowblowers, the old truck, etc. Recently I thought, "How long does Sta-bil (or any gas stabilizer) last?"

I went to the Sta-bil website http://www.goldeagle.com/sta-bil/faqs_stabil.asp and there in the FAQ's was the answer: "2 years after the bottle has been opened, provided it has been tightly capped and stored in a cool, dry place."

Wow! Now I wonder if I've been doing anything at all to help my engines start up after storage! They all have started without problem, though, so who knows?

I thought this might be of interest to other stovebolters.

I was going to put a bottle of it in my tank for winter storage but at $13.00 per bottle I said forget it. (You thought the price of gas was high!)
I have used AVGAS instead over the years and it works as well or better.

Guess I am one of the lucky ones. I have never used any additives for winter storage,and never had any fuel problems.

I didn't use it much until my garden tiller GUMMED up and I spent an afternoon working on it. The killer was while I was working out of town the carb on my 37 gummed up while setting for some time and I had to rebuild the carg.
You can get SMALL bottles of it at most parts stores. I know Advance Auto parts has it in smaller containers. I DO use it and since I have not had any problems. It doesn't take much but what a big difference it will make if you "park" something for sometime.
Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down....Uh, I mean a spoonfull of Sta-bil keep your engines starting!

All you need for a "stabilizer" is an ounce or two of diesel fuel.
I bought some stuff at AutoValue, before I stopped going there, that was C$16.95 a liter (about a quart). Its supposed to do all sorts of wonderful things like "stabilize" the fuel, clean injectors, "improve gas mileage", seal the valve guides, and whatever.

It smells just like diesel, so one day I put some on a piece of paper and torched it. Lo and behold it smoked and smelled just like diesel. Suspicions comfirmed! I've been using diesel as a stabilizer for years.

So as for these fancy-nancy chemicals - BAH! HUMBUG!

When I wrote above that it was $13.00 a bottle, that was for a small bottle. Probably a pint size.

works good for me i used to have truoble with generators and mowers but iv been useing it and what a defference when you get it out and it starts right up iv even added it to a gummed up motor and let it set and it cleaned it up to running conditin im sold

I use it every yr. Especially on my Bass boat that thing got 6 Carbs and I havent had any problems in the spring when I put it in the water, So even if StaBil is pricey it still wouldnt be near as much as trip to the Envinrude Doctor for my V-6 outboard.
So I will continue to purchase it every yr.
Tim

My pop runs Stabil in all his gas cans he uses for the lawn equipment.