Fuel stabilizer

So, I am a bit of a prepper and one thing I am starting to store more and more of is fuel. Up to now, we tend to do a big gas run every 6-8 weeks where we gas our vehicles and also fill about 6-7 5 gallon fuel cans.

I am now thinking I might up my fuel stores but the problem with that is that I think I need to start thinking about fuel stabilizers.

Do any of you have any experience with these (stabilizers)? What do you usually use? How long does it stabilize food for?

I am putting this in the 3rd gen forum because I want the optimal choice for our engine.

Thanks.

 

I use this in my cans and also all of my small engines and gas tractors. I've had good luck with it and I don't buy non ethanol gas.

 

So you buy gas with ethanol? That was one of the things I was looking into. My understanding is that enthanol shortens the life of gas?

 

Our gas is up to 10% ethanol. It does shorten the shelf life of gas and also eats the rubber up in small engines. I add the stabilizer and haven't had any problems. I do try and run things at least once a month but that doesn't always happen.

 

Imo, if your place gets fresh fuel theres no need for stabil to treat the gas....it should be ok for that amount of time. Theres the fitch fuel catalyst product that treats fuels also developed for the military that you can look into. Its a more permeant solution for keeping fuel fresh. Imo, nothing works well if fuel isn't delivered fresh to begin with.

 

The biggest issue with ethanol is fuel separation. This is a killer for 2 stroke engines.

 

Do you guys think I have been fine leaving gas in the can for up to 6-8 weeks before dumping into one of my vehicles?
Thanks,

 

^^This is so true if a stabilizer isn't used. I've got several 2 stroke things that have gas left in them over the winter and haven't had any issues as long as I add stabilizer in them, I add it in everything except our vehicles.

 

I don't see why that would create a problem but for peace of mind I would add a stabilizer when you purchase the gas.

 

I think that is going to be the practice after this.

 

I add stabilizer to items like the snow blower and rototiller which may or may not get used for 6 months to a year. Two months I’m not worried, three months, time to use the gas.

 

“ How long does it stabilize food for ? “...................



a little science/chemistry is involved

we are very near Ft Lee where many a good soldier will transit thru for extended periods o time

our best practice is to leave as little as possible gas in the vehicle & use a stabilizer

on return pump gas to Full Tank with more ‘ cleaner ‘ then drive hiway as much as possible

feedback has been this works best

it dilutes the stored gas & runs ‘ cleaner ‘ ( cleaner/stabilizer can be different creatures )

thru out the entire system

only scenario weve found to be better long term is a dry tank .....NO gas

replace fuel on return with a full tank hi grade fuel


many leave a full tank.................. not a crime yet if matters tend to go downhill

quite a bit More fuel goes south ......few have means to divert contaminated fuel


we can obtain ETHANOL Free Fuel in this area

ethanol attracts water no less gas + ethanol can result in MANY changes including Growing Fauna in

tha dark dank tank

i prefer NOT to pump ethanol for storage


gas obtained from large volume stations tend to be ‘ fresh ‘

storage time shortened from station to car


depends on the storage time ................

2 weeks to 2 months i would not worry if some precautions are taken

extended storage ( military can be easily a year or longer) needs attention

 

I've been using ethanol shield in my sleds, and the snow blower, seems to work much better than plain old stabil which has been proven it doesn't prevent fuel separation with ethanol fuel blends.

 

Cue the ethanol mythconceptions.

I use the Sta-Bil product, many products are similar with varying claims to market. When mixed properly it will "preserve" the fuel about 1 year, 10% blend or not.

In truth, today's gasoline does not degrade for 2-3 months when not treated.

If you are only storing for 6-8 weeks, myself, I wouldn't bother with a fuel preservative.

 

Tried them all. Can't beat this stuff!! I have 5 year old gas with this in it and it smells like gas and burns like gas. I buy the giant bottles of it.

 

I used to buy ethanol free at my local store. Did not stabilize that.

Now I have to buy 10% ethanol and I use "Seafoam". Works for lawn mowers, boat, ATV, and generators that sit for months or years.

I make it a habit to add it to my mower fuel cans when I refill them.

 

You need nothing for just a few months storage unles you have a two stroke engine. Over three months, use Sta-Bil or something like that and you will be fine.

 

Where are you storing all the gas ? If it's in one of your building you might not be covered for insurance.

 

All engines are compromised every time ethanol gas is being used, look up Project Farm on YouTube. The guy shows exactly how ethanol gas separated from water...gas with ethanol is pure junk!

 

Since we occasionally get big storms in our area, I keep fuel on hand pretty much year-round. I get normal E10 93-ocatane from the pump and treat it with the recommended dose of Sta-Bil. I cycle the stock out every few months and repeat. It seems to run just fine in the truck.