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ContinuousWave Whaler Moderated Discussion Areas ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods Shelf Life of Fuel Stablilier STA-BIL
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Author | Topic: Shelf Life of Fuel Stablilier STA-BIL |
Powergroove803 |
posted 01-23-2013 10:55 AM ET (US)
Does Sta-bil have a shelf life? How stable is Sta-bil? I have a new bottle that is at least 10 years old. Should I mix something to it to preseve it? should I use it? |
jimh |
posted 01-23-2013 11:25 AM ET (US)
Move to REPAIRS/MODS. |
Jefecinco |
posted 01-23-2013 07:17 PM ET (US)
I recommend you try the old Stabil in your lawn equipment. For your boat buy Marine Stabil and use it every year. Have a look at their website. Butch |
K Albus |
posted 01-24-2013 01:40 PM ET (US)
According to Sta-Bil's website, Sta-Bil has a shelf life of two years after the bottle is opened. http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/stabil/faq.aspx#3 I have seen little red crystals develop in an older bottle of Sta-Bil. |
macfam |
posted 01-24-2013 07:44 PM ET (US)
Who knows if any of these additives really work. But in any event, I've been using StarTron in the outboards and all lawn equipment and snowblower. Since using a StarTron, I have had zero problems in any equipment. This is hardly scientific. But I must admit, I use the cheapest gas available in everything, including our cars with over 100K in mileage. NO PROBLEMS. |
Jefecinco |
posted 01-25-2013 09:32 AM ET (US)
I've been using Marine Stabil for a couple of years. I use it in our lawn equipment and two Mercury four stroke engines. We use only ethanol free fuel in our lawn equipment and outboard engines. So far so good. Butch |
jimh |
posted 01-25-2013 10:10 AM ET (US)
Kevin--Thank you for going to the manufacturer's website, locating the information being sought, and posting a link to it. It is always my preference to depend on a primary source of information. I don't know that I would accept any random opinion expressed by another participant giving their opinion of the shelf life of STA-BIL. It seems clear to me that the manufacturer has the ultimate authority about this. I am not sure we can have a discussion on the shelf life of STA-BIL other than to cite the manufacturer's own specification, as you have done. Thanks again. By the way, I wonder if you found that link by using GOOGLE with the search term "shelf life of sta-bil"? I tried that and got that link as the first result of the search. Regarding your observation of the formation of a crystalline precipitate from the solution of STA-BIL fuel additive, I have noticed this behavior, too, but with another product, Evinrude 2+4 FUEL CONDITIONER. The manufacturer used to bottle that product in an opaque plastic bottle. One only discovered the crystalline precipitate after they additive was poured from the bottle. The packaging has now been changed to a clear bottle so that any precipitate can be seen before using the additive. |
Lohff |
posted 01-27-2013 07:35 AM ET (US)
I used Sta-bil for two years and was not happy with it. For the last 7-8 years have used Sea-Foam in all of my gas engines and my diesel tractor. It is superb in keeping the carb clean and stabilizing during winter. I have used in chain saws, ice auger, lawn mower, weed whips, you name it. |
swist |
posted 01-30-2013 11:37 AM ET (US)
Well there must be hundreds of fuel additives by now, and assuming you use more than one, the permutations are endless. Many of these additives also came out with "ethanol" versions when that scare (or reality) hit. So there's even more. I trust my Mercury mechanic - never had a problem, and never been led astray. With the 90 fourstroke Merc, he thinks Stabil (the newer stuff in the gray bottle) plus Quickleen is the way to go with E10 gas. But there are surely many other opinions. |
pcrussell50 |
posted 01-30-2013 01:09 PM ET (US)
Swist, IIRC, you were a prominent contributor a few years back to the threads about the problematic, carbureted Mercury FourStroke 90's. 6 or 7 years later now, do you still have that motor? How has it been running for you? Has your Stabil + Quickleen regimen spared you from having to rebuild the carbs over the last 6 or 7 years? Or were you the one who ditched your carbureted motor and replaced it with an EFI 115 FourStroke? -Peter |
swist |
posted 01-30-2013 02:22 PM ET (US)
Hi Peter, That is indeed the engine - 7 years old, never rebuilt the carbs. Same additive regimen every year, and yearly service by really good mechanic. Yeah, I was all over those threads - I bought the boat (2005 Montauk 170) BEFORE I saw anything about problems with that engine. I was really worried then, although I have to stay statistics don't lie, and I would still trade the engine for an EFI model. But anecdotal evidence can indeed lie. I would never claim that the Stabil+Quickleen regimen is in fact the savior of that motor. |
pcrussell50 |
posted 01-30-2013 03:25 PM ET (US)
What is your usage pattern? Do you start and run on the muffs more frequently than you get her up to speed? On the muffs, the mid and high fuel circuits don't get used so I imagine you get out and get planing fairly frequently too. -Peter |
swist |
posted 01-31-2013 02:53 PM ET (US)
Peter-- My boat is kept all season on a mooring in saltwater. Hence, as you surmise, every time it is started there is a 98& chance it will be run at planing speed. I only flush it a few times a season. I would also say I only floor it a few times a season (someone once told me this was actually good for an outboard, but that may have been back in the 2-stroke days with carbon buildup on the ports etc), and I idle it a good long time before I give it serious gas (water here - Maine - is very cold and I want a good long warmup). Maybe because I got paranoid about the engine, I treat it sorta with kid gloves. Who knows if this has helped or not. --Jim |
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