posted 08-14-2006 11:41 AM ET (US)            

quote:

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Startron is composed primarily of enzymes

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According to the material safety data sheet (MSDS) Startron Gasoline Additive is composed primarily of the solvent naptha. The proprietary enzyme content is less than 0.5-percent by volume. See:

posted 08-14-2006 12:22 PM ET (US)            

Last week, I was doing wheel bearings in my favorite Exofficio fishin shorts, just a quick grease job, and I got Mobile 1 bearing grease all over them - kept going, fished in them two days, came home, got the Fels Naptha bar (must be 10years old) got it wet, srubbed up some paste on the grease spot, threw them on the floor, forgot about them, next day I got grease and gunk on another pair of Patagonia baggies, brand new, now what, did the same, got some dark clothes, threw them in the Maytag, stuffed 'em in the dryer. Grease/oil stains gone!

posted 08-25-2006 05:17 PM ET (US)            

Two years ago I didn't get a chance to use my boat for about 8 months. About four months into storage I realized that I forgot to put fuel stabilizer in my tank and got worried. I found Startron at West Marine by accident. Since Starbrite makes the stuff and since they also make a pretty good non-skid cleaner, I thought I would at least take the time and read their booklet which was attached to the bottle of Startron.

They make some makes big claims about this product. According to Starbrite, because of the natural enzymes in their product it does the following:

Increases Power and Improves Fuel
Economy, Reducing Emissions

Inhibits Microbial Growth In Fuel

Cleans Injectors, The Fuel Delivery
System and Combustion Chambers
While Removing Carbon Build-Up

Treats Water In Fuel by preventing the water molecules that are in fuel from combining and forming a
distinct water layer. Water is reduced to
sub-micron size particles that cannot cause
corrosion and are safely burned during
normal combustion.

Stabilizes Fuel Chemistry

With those kinds of boasts I had to try it.

When I went to start up my motors after 8 months they started right up and they purred like kittens.

Final verdict: It definately works as a stablizer.

My engines definately run a bit smoother so it must be cleaning the injectors and pistons to a certain extent.

The rest of the claims I really couldn't say. I don't know about the fuel economy because I didn't really keep track of it, but I do now. Fully loaded, I average about 2.2 miles per gallon with twin Optimax 135s. I’m usually running and gunning those motors and going as fast as conditions permit. I don't know if that is good milage or not.

posted 08-25-2006 06:53 PM ET (US)            

I have had zero engine problems approaching 200 hrs but prevention as they say.

posted 08-30-2006 10:33 AM ET (US)            

I do own engines that are very particular about the freshness of the fuel and their needs have to be tended to. I do understand that not all engines are as tolerant as my Evinrude.

posted 09-29-2007 05:03 PM ET (US)            

Something else to keep in mind in the area of fuel: In the early 1980's with the advent of fuel injection, GM warranty costs went crazy. We did exhaustive tests at the proving ground with different brands of gasoline. Tearing down the engines after extensive running showed huge differences in fuels in deposits, sludge and soot particulary at the base of the injectors. This led to bulletins to dealers to advise customers to use only Chevron or Mobile fuels to prevent fouling. Other major brands developed cleaners soon after also but some cut rate do not. Chevron with techron (which is now in Texaco)was particulary good, it is all I use in vehicles or boats. Some of the additives lubricate the valve guides as well which is critical since the move to unleaded gas. One cut rate station alone in our town had over 1,600 complaints to the state for engine and fuel tank sender failures over several years.