Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Fuel stabilizer or not?
| Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349460] |
Sun, 20 October 2019 14:18  |
MikeB
Messages: 133
Registered: December 2018
Location: South Bama
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Hi All
So we completed our 3000 mile maiden voyage home (Glacier National Park to south Alabama) with our newly acquired Avion. Did not have a single issue with the power train. Actually only real issue we had was having to replace ball joints in Missoula and poor alignment which made for very crappy steering and tracking.
Now that I'm home I need a break from this beast and was wondering best way to set it up for partial storage. I'll be starting it up and driving for about 40 minutes once a month. I don't expect I'll try and work on it until after the new year.
So I'm thinking full tank of ethanol free gas and a stabilizer?
Any other recommendations?
Any stabilizer recommendations?
Thanks
Mike B
M Beam
75’ Avion
TBI EBL , 3.70 LSD and other stuff
Zuki Sidekick,
Dozier Al
[Updated on: Sun, 20 October 2019 14:20] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349461 is a reply to message #349460] |
Sun, 20 October 2019 14:22  |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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No stabilizer for me. Keep it under 9 months before adding fresh fuel. Never a problem with E10. I store below 1/4 tank.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349477 is a reply to message #349460] |
Mon, 21 October 2019 04:27 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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I agree with Jim Hupy on this. Keeping the tanks full greatly reducing the area for air condensing moisture on the inside of the tanks.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349483 is a reply to message #349460] |
Mon, 21 October 2019 08:06 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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40 minutes a month will get it up to operating temperature and stir everything around properly. Fill it after the 40 minute ride and park it. Nothing else required. Stabilizer won't hurt anything but I don't think it's necessary in the reported incidence.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349487 is a reply to message #349460] |
Mon, 21 October 2019 10:17 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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We store way too many items for way too long up here in MN. I always store with full gas tanks, and use sta-bil fuel stabilizer. have not bothered with non-oxygenated ethonal free gas in 9 years of GMC ownership/winter storage, because of cost and hassle of making sure that last tank is ethonal free. I do only run ethonal free/stabil gas in all my small engine stuff(less then 5 gallon capacity).
Some people will dis-agree with me on keeping a full tank of gas in storage. but my experience tells me that having a full tank of gas is the best practice, especially with metal gas tanks. (if your gas tank is plastic, drain them out). I would rather clean out a varish/bad gas in an old gas tank, then deal with rust. Storing in MN is all I know, since I always am Storing boats/lawn mowers/ and the GMC for the hellish winter, then turn around and Store the snowblower, snowmobiles for the summer., there might be different things to consider depending on your climate(humidity/rain).
One thing about storing stuff- Sometimes you think you will have it out in 4 or 6 monthh's, then Weather and life may change those plans. I have seen plenty of stuff(GMC's included) parked with full intention of using them sooner then later, only to sit stored for longer times. Very common with RV's and Snowmobiles(I have one that has been stored for a decade now waiting for good snow). In the case of the VW Thing I bought a few years, it sat in a winter storage since 1983. If you plan on storing it, it does not take much time to set it up to sit for a couple years as easily as 4-6 months.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
[Updated on: Mon, 21 October 2019 10:39] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349488 is a reply to message #349487] |
Mon, 21 October 2019 10:27 |
Mike Kelley
Messages: 467
Registered: February 2017
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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John R:
Good info - thanks for the clarification!
Mike/The Corvair a holic (w/ lots of vehicles in storage) have 3 GMC’s and 13 Corvairs and go to Tx. for 6 months to stay warm in the winter!!!
Sent from my iPhone
> On Oct 21, 2019, at 10:17 AM, Jon Roche via Gmclist wrote:
>
> We store way too many items for way too long up here in MN. I always store with full gas tanks, and use sta-bil fuel stabilizer. have not
> bothered with non-oxygenated ethonal free gas in 9 years of GMC ownership/winter storage, because of cost and hassle of making sure that last tank is
> ethonal free. I do only run ethonal free/stabil gas in all my small engine stuff(less then 5 gallon capacity).
>
> Some people will dis-agree with me on keeping a full gas in storage. but my experience tells me that having a gull tank is the best, especially with
> metal gas tanks. (if your gas tank is plastic, drain them out). I would rather clean out a varish/bad gas in an old gas tank, then deal with rust.
> Storing in MN is all I know, since I always am Storing boats/lawn mowers/ and the GMC for the hellish winter, then turn around and Store the
> snowblower, snowmobiles for the summer., there might be different things to consider depending on your climate(humidity/rain).
>
> One thing about storing stuff- Sometimes you think you will have it out in 4 or 6 monthh's, then Weather and life may change those plans. I have
> seen plenty of stuff(GMC's included) parked with full intention of using them sooner then later, only to sit stored for longer times. Very common
> with RV's and Snowmobiles(I have one that has been stored for a decade now waiting for good snow). In the case of the VW Thing I bought a few years,
> it sat in a winter storage since 1983. If you plan on storing it, it does not take much time to set it up to sit for a couple years as easily as
> 4-6 months.
>
>
>
>
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
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| Re: Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349493 is a reply to message #349460] |
Mon, 21 October 2019 11:08 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Rich Mondor, I don't think those heat pumps are going to make the program in your winters, unless they have heat strips in. I'd consider a furnace.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349501 is a reply to message #349460] |
Mon, 21 October 2019 12:16 |
GatsbysCruise
Messages: 261
Registered: January 2017
Location: Waukegan, Illinois
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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With the introduction of Ethanol, I have found stabilizer performance questionable.
The Ethanol or Alcohol isn't affected the same as the gasoline is. The alcohol can
go through separation from the fuel if sitting a long time and will certainly
separate if moisture is present in the tank as Alcohol is drawn to moisture.
A new(ish) version of Stabil has been introduced just for the Ethanol fuels.
It is called Sta Bil 360.
It offers the same protection that the original Sta Bil did but it is supposed
to keep the Ethanol stable, and it protects the metal above the fuel level from
corrosion.
Now I can't find it on print, but I was led to believe that it is supposed to
help prevent the alcohol attack against the rubber fuel line. So until I can find
it in print again, that is hear say.
Features:
Helps prevent corrosion above and below the fuel line where no other additive can!
Ultimate protection against Ethanol blended fuels
Helps clean fuel system to improve performance
Stabilizes fuel up to 12 months
Use at every fill up
Helps increase power and fuel efficiency
Designed for protecting your vehicle and make it running smoothly
Developed to keep your fuel fresh and provide efficient performance
Will help prevent causing corrosion in the fuel lines and engine more details on -
https://www.carid.com/sta-bil/sta-bil-360-performance-fuel-treatment-and-stabilizer-341145563.html.
I have not been big on additives but I have more than a few motor vehicles and they have
their fair share of sitting time.
I was introduced to SeaFoam and it does a good clean up job when I need it on the many gasoline
engines I have.
Just to mention, There is a FUEL RESTORER called Pri-G.
One review CLAIMS the following:
"The company rep said that if I add another ounce every year and make sure that it is mixed thoroughly, the gas will store indefinitely."
I don't purposely try to keep old gas, but it happens, and if this stuff can do as it is advertised to do, I'd be in.
AMAZON
https://www.amazon.com/PRI-Fuel-Stabilizer-Gasoline-Economy/dp/B005JP16TA/ref=sr_1_16?keywords=gasoline+restore&qid=1571677000&sr=8-16#custome rReviews
REVIEWS CLAIM that this Fuel Restorer will restore old, bad fuel (claimes of 3 year old fuels) back to normal burnable condition. (anyone use this, and have a good or bad story).
The reviews were impressive but you know how Amazon reviews go.
I have a Chevy Volt and the computer will automatically monitor the fuel in the tank and when it approaches 1 year of age, the car will force you to burn the fuel out before you can drive in electric mode again.
I HAVE TO SAY that I think the additives have their place, especially the fuel restorer types. StaBil had been used continually for my fuel tanks. But I have had problems creep up with the addition of the Ethanol fuels.
StaBil 360 supposedly keeps the Ethanol fuels under control now. I have used it and the problems have appeared to have stopped.
Now to be able to restore old fuel would be the next step.
Just my take
GatsbysCruise. \
74GMC260 Former Glacier Model style. \
Waukegan, Illinois \ Keep those MiniDiscs Spinning \ MY GREYHOUND IS FASTER THAN YOUR HONOR ROLL STUDENT \ WindowsXP-Win7-Win8.1-UBUNTU STUDIO - UBUNTU VOYAGER - Berzin Auto Center
[Updated on: Mon, 21 October 2019 12:21] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349513 is a reply to message #349460] |
Mon, 21 October 2019 18:37 |
MikeB
Messages: 133
Registered: December 2018
Location: South Bama
Karma: 1
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Thanks y'all for the suggestions. When I lived just south of Memphis we had winters that were wet and cold enough to not have to use a lot of my equipment for about six months. I learned to use sta-bil in those gas engines especially the more intricate carbed Kawasaki,Stihl and Honda's. Since I'll be driving the MH once a month into town I'll just keep it full and not bother with stabilizer.
M Beam
75’ Avion
TBI EBL , 3.70 LSD and other stuff
Zuki Sidekick,
Dozier Al
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| Re: [GMCnet] Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349522 is a reply to message #349513] |
Tue, 22 October 2019 07:12 |
jessfarr
Messages: 100
Registered: August 2004
Karma: 1
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Am I the only poor dumb old boy that had stabil setup like pink bubble gum in injectors, jet skis, etc? Cost a small fortune to replace some of the stuff. I am not a fan and will tell everybody to stay away. My complaints and request for help never even merited a reply.
jofarr
Soddy daisy tn
'74,'76 26 & '78 28
----- Original Message -----
From: mtb8114--- via Gmclist
Reply-To:
To:
Cc:
Sent: 10/21/2019 7:37:11 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Fuel stabilizer or not?
________________________________________________________________________________
Thanks y'all for the suggestions. When I lived just south of Memphis we had winters that were wet and cold enough to not have to use a lot of my
equipment for about six months. I learned to use sta-bil in those gas engines especially the more intricate carbed Kawasaki,Stihl and Honda's. Since
I'll be driving the MH once a month into town I'll just keep it full and not bother with stabilizer.
--
M Beam
75’ Avion
TBI EBL , 3.70 LSD and other stuff
Zuki Sidekick,
Dozier Al
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jesse farr, soddy tn USA '74 Canyonlands 260
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| Re: [GMCnet] Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349537 is a reply to message #349522] |
Tue, 22 October 2019 10:37 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Jess,
Don’t feel neglected, they are in their comfort zone and feel it is not
going to apply to them.
Additives end up in the main tank majority of the time and the aux tank
seldom ever gets the additive in there.
On Tue, Oct 22, 2019 at 5:13 AM Jesse Farr via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Am I the only poor dumb old boy that had stabil setup like pink bubble gum
> in injectors, jet skis, etc? Cost a small fortune to replace some of the
> stuff. I am not a fan and will tell everybody to stay away. My complaints
> and request for help never even merited a reply.
>
> jofarr
> Soddy daisy tn
> '74,'76 26 & '78 28
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: mtb8114--- via Gmclist
> Reply-To:
> To:
> Cc:
> Sent: 10/21/2019 7:37:11 PM
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Fuel stabilizer or not?
>
> ________________________________________________________________________________
>
> Thanks y'all for the suggestions. When I lived just south of Memphis we
> had winters that were wet and cold enough to not have to use a lot of my
> equipment for about six months. I learned to use sta-bil in those gas
> engines especially the more intricate carbed Kawasaki,Stihl and Honda's.
> Since
> I'll be driving the MH once a month into town I'll just keep it full and
> not bother with stabilizer.
> --
> M Beam
> 75’ Avion
> TBI EBL , 3.70 LSD and other stuff
> Zuki Sidekick,
> Dozier Al
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349540 is a reply to message #349522] |
Tue, 22 October 2019 13:33 |
MikeB
Messages: 133
Registered: December 2018
Location: South Bama
Karma: 1
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Hey Jofarr
I've never had an issue with sta-bil clogging anything up. I've actually had very good luck and have only regrets when I failed to use it for over winter storage. I have heard that it will cause issues if used in already dirty systems as it is also a cleaner. I've never used it in a car or truck until this year when I stored my 1972 F250. Most everything else I have is diesel so no need.
M Beam
75’ Avion
TBI EBL , 3.70 LSD and other stuff
Zuki Sidekick,
Dozier Al
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| Re: Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349542 is a reply to message #349460] |
Tue, 22 October 2019 16:38 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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Funny part is now we hate alcohol in fuel. When we were kids our dads probably all bought HEET by the case and added it to the tank like it was magic. Alcohol in a can.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349553 is a reply to message #349537] |
Wed, 23 October 2019 04:59 |
GatsbysCruise
Messages: 261
Registered: January 2017
Location: Waukegan, Illinois
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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jimk wrote on Tue, 22 October 2019 10:37Jess,
Don't feel neglected, they are in their comfort zone and feel it is not
going to apply to them.
Additives end up in the main tank majority of the time and the aux tank
seldom ever gets the additive in there.
[/url]
JIM K
A fast question as I have thought about this problem with the two tanks and the "T" feed from the fill.
One sure way to make sure both tanks get the additive is to mix in a can first then fill the RV.
But I have a thought that I have wondered about.
So ok, when driving the gas sloshes and gets into the fill lines and probably some gets back to the other tank.?????
But Some of the engines have fuel pumps that send fuel back to the tanks through the fill lines. Would this have much
bearing on any additives getting into the tanks or just the one supplying fuel?..
I have a unique unfortunate concern at the moment because I can only pump fuel from one tank. The other tank sends fuel through
the fill line to the other tank. The only way I can run "normally" is with the electric fuel pump I had added to the main tank line
before the tank selection solenoid valves. My guess is I should have at least a tank and a half available with this setup as it is now.
About 37 gallons?????
Without the Electric fuel pump, the Mechanical fuel pump will run out of fuel and the engine dies in about a minute or two.
I am guessing air is being sucked into the fuel lines when the electric pump is not running and the mechanical pump is sucking from
the tank. I have no fuel leaking anywhere, the problem has to be either the hoses above the tank or the tank connections inside.
When I use the electric fuel pump to send fuel to the mechanical fuel pump on the engine, I can run and get normal speed and power.
Without the electric fuel pump, the engine has power loss problems. Been this way since the original fuel lines were changed out by a shop.
I am doing some test runs to see how much my fuel distance is affected with this set up so I can get it to the shop in Michigan
to drop the tanks and change out the fuel hoses and see what exactly is wrong under there.
But that is not the point...
What I am asking is if the fuel can slosh about enough to mix additive in both tanks on its own as the tank levels go down
and the fuel is moving to and from the tanks. The fuel recirc from the mechanical fuel pump, adds an interesting thought as well.
Great info guys, many thanks.
GatsbysCruise. \
74GMC260 Former Glacier Model style. \
Waukegan, Illinois \ Keep those MiniDiscs Spinning \ MY GREYHOUND IS FASTER THAN YOUR HONOR ROLL STUDENT \ WindowsXP-Win7-Win8.1-UBUNTU STUDIO - UBUNTU VOYAGER - Berzin Auto Center
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| Re: [GMCnet] Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349561 is a reply to message #349557] |
Wed, 23 October 2019 08:22 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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The tank selector smiths if working will not allow pulling fuel from the
other tank.
On Wed, Oct 23, 2019 at 6:15 AM Matt Colie via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> jessfarr wrote on Tue, 22 October 2019 08:12
>> Am I the only poor dumb old boy that had stabil setup like pink bubble
> gum in injectors, jet skis, etc? Cost a small fortune to replace some of
>> the stuff. I am not a fan and will tell everybody to stay away. My
> complaints and request for help never even merited a reply.
>>
>> jofarr
>
> Jess,
>
> This is a great example in support of Emery's continual admonitions to be
> cautious of mixing additives.
>
> The fact that you got no reply to your note (I do not remember seeing it)
> just means that in this community, nobody had any help to offer.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
_______________________________________________
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349562 is a reply to message #349460] |
Wed, 23 October 2019 08:50 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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Emery, if I'm right, old HEET was a methanol blended with ethanol. The reason I mentioned it was "absorbs water" was advertised as good whereas now it is poo poo'ed as the root of the problem. E10 should have the ability to integrate 1tbsp water per gallon of fuel so HEET is not needed unless you got rain in your tank. Alcohol is interesting how it can "play" with water and petroleum based liquids, up until it it can no longer assimilate more water.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] Fuel stabilizer or not? [message #349572 is a reply to message #349546] |
Wed, 23 October 2019 11:32 |
jessfarr
Messages: 100
Registered: August 2004
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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among other thIngs just check out:
https://tinyurl.com/y5auabqp
JOFARR
SODDY DAISY TN
oops, hit caps key again, sorry
----- Original Message -----
From: Emery Stora via Gmclist
Reply-To:
To:
Cc: Emery Stora
Sent: 10/22/2019 9:01:14 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Fuel stabilizer or not?
________________________________________________________________________________
Not all alcohol is the same.
Ethanol is in the fuel now. Heet was methanol. Methanol has one carbon while Ethanol has two.
Methanol is better at absorbing water.
Emery Stora
> On Oct 22, 2019, at 3:38 PM, John R. Lebetski via Gmclist wrote:
>
> Funny part is now we hate alcohol in fuel. When we were kids our dads probably all bought HEET by the case and added it to the tank like it was
> magic. Alcohol in a can.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
_______________________________________________
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jesse farr, soddy tn USA '74 Canyonlands 260
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