Does Ethanol Free Gas Need Stabil?

[mikefocke]

I had always used Stabil in my cars and small engines but my small car mechanic advised me that it deteriorates over time and clogs things. He advises against it and does a great spring business cleaning engines and carburetors that had used it.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

I had always used Stabil in my cars and small engines but my small car mechanic advised me that it deteriorates over time and clogs things. He advises against it and does a great spring business cleaning engines and carburetors that had used it.

Mike, we have used it for years in everything from chain saws and mowers to Ferraris, and have never once had any problems with fuel break down or any type of clogging, etc.. In fact, yours is the first comment I have seen saying it caused any type of problems.

[Ciao]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

I had always used Stabil in my cars and small engines but my small car mechanic advised me that it deteriorates over time and clogs things. He advises against it and does a great spring business cleaning engines and carburetors that had used it.

I've used Stabil on all my lawn equipment for years and in the Spring all equipment fires up on first try. This is the first time I'm applying Stabil on my Porche

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

I had always used Stabil in my cars and small engines but my small car mechanic advised me that it deteriorates over time and clogs things. He advises against it and does a great spring business cleaning engines and carburetors that had used it.

Mike, I contacted our rep at Gold Eagle, StaBil's parent company, and asked him about your comment. Turns out that there is an element of truth to there being clogging issues, but not in the way your mechanic noted.

All StaBil fuel additives have a high level of fuel system detergency to them, and when they are added to systems that are already varnished or gummed up from use or lack of maintenance, they can break these materials up while sitting, which can lead to clogging. But he was carful to note that these clogs come from build up that is already in the system due to poor fuel system maintenance, and are not caused their products breaking down. To prevent this from happening, they suggest running the last tank or two of fuel before storing with their product in it to clean the system out while the engine is running. He also noted that by far, this happens most often in lawn equipment whose owners dump a shot of StaBil into the gas tank and give it a shake to mix it before putting the equipment away for the winter, and then have a problem come spring.

So if you take good care of your vehicle's fuel system, this should never be an issue.