Winter storage and fuel stabilizers: Snake oil?

[WARP TEN]

Originally Posted by Marc Haibeck

I have not seen evidence that Sta-Bil is necessary.

Back in the '60's fuel had a short shelf life. It could start turning into gum in as little a four months. Today I don't see any sign of gum formation in fuel that is two years old.

I think that it is not necessary to do anything with fuel that is to be stored for a year. After two years it's a good idea to drain the fuel and install fresh fuel.

Keep the fuel tank filled to the top to suppress water condensation.

Personally, I remove the fuel from seasonal equipment and store it dry. Just siphon out the fuel. Then run the motor until it runs out of gas.

I agree on Sta-Bil. I have not used any fuel stabilizer in my 13 years with HIL KING and my two winters with Warp Ten. I just fill the tank to minimize condensation, keep it on a battery tender and try to run it once a month or two. Never any adverse effects that I can recall. Never had any mouse problems although Warp Ten shows one small nibble on a spark plug cap from before I owned it. Of late I have begun keeping 60 psi in the tires to prevent flat spotting on the advice of a local restorer who also stores many exotic cars (including many of Michael Jordan's). Surprising how round the tires look on a very small contact patch! --Bob

[batchman]

I've always found the real enemy is oxygen. Filling the gas tank is all I've needed.

Funny thing now, last year my wife convinced me to use Sta-Bil and now my snow blower won't stay running....

Cheers,
- Jeff

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

D-Con definitely works and if you have soooo many mice that the trays are empty you have to keep full trays available until your mice population is reduced which may take a couple weeks then you will find the trays will remain nearly full as the infiltration of mice dwindles.

Naw... I've used Decon mouse candy. Comparing it to One Bite or Tomcat (the latter is too dangerous if you have pets, due to secondary poisoning) is like comparing a stock L98 to a ported LT5 Three days NO mice could be found, following a massive infestation - my first winter here on the "ranch".

Gotta go fill up the Z. No radiator yet, so antifreeze is prolly not a "biggie" yet.

[Vetman]

I have always filled all tanks full in fall for winter storage and all fires up in the spring. Mowers, motor cycles, jeep and collector cars. However my cars I try to at least start once every two weeks

[WB9MCW]

Interesting info on Ethanol

http://www.fuel-testers.com/expirati...hanol_gas.html

[WARP TEN]

Originally Posted by WB9MCW

Interesting info on Ethanol

http://www.fuel-testers.com/expirati...hanol_gas.html

It is interesting--a 3 month shelf life for 10% ethanol gasoline. One thing they noted is that alcohol is blended at the station, not at the major refiners, and as a reslut can be off from the target 10%. I have seen evidence of this. At our BMW dealership a customer brought in a 3 series that was running very roughly. We anlayzed the gasoline and discovered 28% ethanaol instead of the maximum allowed 10%. I think they had to replace injectors and all gasoline but then it ran OK. --Bob

[Schrade]

I had 2+ years of Chem (Chem Minor qualified).

Some article points are mid-leading. One is WRONG. Some terms are wrong; some are ambiguous.