Fuel Stabilizers

LIforrelaxin · 06-11-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoBozo

I use "Startron" with every fill up. However, when it comes to stabilizing E10...and preventing problems, I think the Jury Is Still Out.

Name your poison. NB

To some degree indeed the jury is still out... especially when it concerns the long term effects of E10 on the life of an engine and fuel system...

However my remedy is to simply make sure I just use the boat as much as possible....

.... 10 Hrs and counting already this year ...

robmac · 06-11-2010, 07:23 PM

I for two years have used Startron fuel stabilizer, I have not had any issues with any gas engines I add this product to the fuel that's burnt in the engines. These include cars,bike,boat,generator,mower,snothrower ect. That said I also avoid mixing stabilizers for one reason,nobody will state mixing won't have any adverse affect. Some will remember back in the day red and green anti-freeze,well if you mixed them you were in trouble. I know apples and oranges but chemical none the less. As far as Sea foam, I have used it to help clean upper combustion chamber and to a degree injectors but would never consider it for fuel stabilization. With thirty five years in the repair business I try and stay current with technology as it changes daily but I for one am no fan of E-10 or E-85,both help with emissions but do an owner no favors. IMHO

Seeker · 06-11-2010, 11:27 PM

I use Startron in 3 boats, 1 snowblower, 1 bike, 5 cars, 1 pressure washer and 2 lawnmowers (no fibreglas tanks) with zero problems even if it sits for a year. I used Stabil in the past (red, before E10) and had problems.

Just a second thought. If you buy Startron look carefully at the bottle. There is one small bottle that will treat 128 gallons and another that looks the same but will only treat a small percentage of that. Obviously the 128 gallon treatment bottle is much more expensive.

VtSteve · 06-12-2010, 01:50 PM

The majority of great dealers that I know of, in areas where E10 has been widespread for years, switched to Startron and stayed with it. This morning was the first batch of E10 that my boat has had in it. My marina has (or used to have), Valvtech-treated non ethanol gas. They may have had to switch as well. The problem I have is that I suspect they just start filling their storage tanks with E10, without having cleaned them out fist. It's a fairly extensive cleanout, and I suspect none do it.

Most of the problems I've heard of have been with two-cycle engines, weed whackers, lawnmowers and the like. Boaters that have problems typically have older boats, and their gas tanks have some crud in them. E10 is a very effective solvent in these conditions. It will clean out you tank over time, and throw that crap towards your engine. Sometimes, particularly with outboards, this is a very nasty process.

I know my vehicles have all seen a drop in gas mileage since the E10 introduction here, and more notable on hilly highways. We have one station left that sell NO E10 gas, and every test I've done has had the same result.

06-11-2010, 11:27 PM	#3
Seeker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Effingham Posts: 408 Thanks: 37 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts	I use Startron in 3 boats, 1 snowblower, 1 bike, 5 cars, 1 pressure washer and 2 lawnmowers (no fibreglas tanks) with zero problems even if it sits for a year. I used Stabil in the past (red, before E10) and had problems. Just a second thought. If you buy Startron look carefully at the bottle. There is one small bottle that will treat 128 gallons and another that looks the same but will only treat a small percentage of that. Obviously the 128 gallon treatment bottle is much more expensive. Last edited by Seeker; 06-12-2010 at 10:33 PM. Reason: Added second thought.

06-11-2010, 07:23 PM	#2
robmac Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashua,Meredith Posts: 951 Thanks: 213 Thanked 106 Times in 81 Posts	I for two years have used Startron fuel stabilizer, I have not had any issues with any gas engines I add this product to the fuel that's burnt in the engines. These include cars,bike,boat,generator,mower,snothrower ect. That said I also avoid mixing stabilizers for one reason,nobody will state mixing won't have any adverse affect. Some will remember back in the day red and green anti-freeze,well if you mixed them you were in trouble. I know apples and oranges but chemical none the less. As far as Sea foam, I have used it to help clean upper combustion chamber and to a degree injectors but would never consider it for fuel stabilization. With thirty five years in the repair business I try and stay current with technology as it changes daily but I for one am no fan of E-10 or E-85,both help with emissions but do an owner no favors. IMHO

06-12-2010, 01:50 PM	#4
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	The majority of great dealers that I know of, in areas where E10 has been widespread for years, switched to Startron and stayed with it. This morning was the first batch of E10 that my boat has had in it. My marina has (or used to have), Valvtech-treated non ethanol gas. They may have had to switch as well. The problem I have is that I suspect they just start filling their storage tanks with E10, without having cleaned them out fist. It's a fairly extensive cleanout, and I suspect none do it. Most of the problems I've heard of have been with two-cycle engines, weed whackers, lawnmowers and the like. Boaters that have problems typically have older boats, and their gas tanks have some crud in them. E10 is a very effective solvent in these conditions. It will clean out you tank over time, and throw that crap towards your engine. Sometimes, particularly with outboards, this is a very nasty process. I know my vehicles have all seen a drop in gas mileage since the E10 introduction here, and more notable on hilly highways. We have one station left that sell NO E10 gas, and every test I've done has had the same result.