Fuel Stabilizer

[macbubba]

Hi All ! I`ve heard Sta-Bil doesn't work?? Is there an alternate? My fuel smells like Kerosene. My cars sit 8 months at a time, Thanks

[maxwedge]

Stabil and non ethanol fuel has worked fine in my old cars sitting for 6 months.

[Blue Bowtie]

Sta-Bil and ethanol fuel has worked well for me for storage, but that's only been since 1976.

One very critical element is that the fuel tank must be sealed. On newer vehicles, that's as easy as maintaining the EVAP system. On older vehicles, a one-way vented cap with a surge valve can be useful.

If your fuel has already lost volatility, there is probably no getting it back with additives. Drain as much as possible and add some of the LOWEST octane fuel you can get. People frequently make the assumption that higher octane is better for this, but low octane fuel contains more volatile content, which is why it does NOT resist ignition as much as high octane, and therefore tends to pre-ignite.

[Blue Bowtie]

I've heard the argument about ethanol fuels being somewhat hygroscopic, and that the resultant water accumulation can be problematic. That can have some truth to it, but not in the way that many might think.

Some of the most vehement arguments over ethanol are from the SAME people who will gladly pour Sea Foam in the tank to "help" the system. If they only knew the formula for that stuff...