Sta-Bil

[zildjian]

hey guys,

i just bought my first boat, and i was in a middle of a conversation about how boater's gas tanks are cracking and leaking because of the amount of ethanol in gasoline caused corrosion from the moisture that builds up while sitting for weeks at a time that was never treated with a stabilizer product. and how a product like Sta-Bil is something i should use every time i fill up, but i thought you only use products like this when you store your boat for the winter season?

I'm all new to this, and wasn't going to just start putting things like this in my gas tank, just because this is what people are telling me. i just wanted to see what you guys know about this and whats the best way to go about using products like this. do i use it during each fill up, or only during winter storage?

thanks in advanced!

-Zildjian

[Long Mike]

I use Star Tron every time I put fuel in the tank. It completely eliminates ethanol problems, prevents gunk build-up in the carbs and fuel system, and stabilizes the fuel if the boat is going to be idle for any length of time. Star Tron is one of our advertisers, but I was using their product long before they became a sponsor.

[BassinLou]

X2 on Star tron. I also use stabil. Since I have been using that cocktail my engine has been running great for 2 yrs straight without an issue.

[plumworm]

Stabil makes both an ethenol remover and the gas stabilizer.

[Glenn]

Well, no. There's no product on the market that "removes" ethanol. Not sure what product you're thinking about, but I assure you it doesn't "remove" ethanol.

Star Tron is the real deal folks. It eliminates problems caused by ethanol plus it stabilizes the fuel for up to 2 years.

[zildjian]

So you guys use it each time you fill up? Like after you fill up you put the recommend amount of the stabilizer for how many gallons you have of gasoline each time?

[NitroZ9]

I put Mercury Quickleen and Marine Stabil in my tank at every fill up for my Pro XS. My understanding is that gas will start going bad in as little as 15 days, which is why you want to use Stabil or Star Tron at every fill up, in addition to the benefits they give you concerning ethanol.

[zildjian]

Makes sense... So Marine Sta-bil at every full up. Do you put the sta-bil in after you fill you tank up full of gasoline or before? Also do you have to mix it yourself? or just pour and your ready to go?

Also which stabilzer product of Star Tron do you guys use?

I have a Mercury Optimax 90HP 2 stroke fuel injected motor, is this stuff safe for this type of motor? Just don't like the thought of putting things into my gas tank without knowing everything about it.

I always thought you only use these products for just storing the boat, is it safe to use it every fill up? Or just once in awhile?

Figured I'd ask the guys who actually use the product.

Thanks

-Zildjian

[Sam]

As Long Mike said, Star Tron or Marine StaBil needs to be put in your boat's gas tank after each fill up.

And thanks to you for the post. I filled the boat's gas tank on Saturday after a tournament and forgot to add the Stabil. Will do so this afternoon.

[RobertBG]

adding stabil in a boat these days is about as important as remembering the drain plug.............add fuel add stabil/star tron and have peace of mind

[tritonguy]

I use Star Tron every time I put gas in it.

[Sam]

Zildjian, doesn't matter when you put in the Sta-Bil or Star Tron.

I do it both ways.

It will blend into the gasoline in your tank.

And you can't "over do it" with either product, just make sure you meet the minimum requirements based on the number of gallons in your gas tank.

By the way, I use regular Sta-Bil in my plastic gas containers for the riding tractor.

[zildjian]

Thank you guys so much! I was never told about having to use these products before, and I already filled up my 21gallon gas tank up 3 times with no additive during the entire summer.... Will that hurt it? If I buy the marine stabil or star tron now, can I put it in with gas I got 2 weeks ago or does it have to be fresh gas? Because I'll go top my tank Off with fresh gas today then add the additive.

Is there a true difference in GoldEagle Marine StaBil vs StarBrite Marine Star Tron? Or do they both do the exact same thing? Can't seem to find out how one is better than the other.

Also, I was reading about for "Long Term" storage to use the (Red) Stabil and for everyday use for fill ups use the "Marine" Stabil. Is this true?

Thanks again everyone!

-Zildjian

[zildjian]

Just went to West Marine And picked up Marine Stabil and after talking to the guy, he said "honestly, I still get people coming back with problems when they have been using it." so he told me what he uses and in his opinion that works best for him is Star Brite Star Tron. And for storing in the winter, to use the "red" Stabil.

So I picked up Star Tron for every fill up, and red Stabil for winter storage.

[bill-sb]

Here's the question: "Is there a true difference in GoldEagle Marine StaBil vs StarBrite Marine Star Tron "

The answer is Yes.

StaBil - a fine product, by the way, uses a chemical approach to stabilizing fuel. We make a product called Gas Stabilizer that is very similar, so no knocks there.

Star Tron uses enzymes in a fuel suspension (that means it won't take your gas out of spec and it can't be accidentally over-dosed) to stabilize fuel chemistry, enhance fuel combustibility, break down and disperse gums, varnish and other debris and to also "bust apart" clumps of water molecules so that the moisture can be vaporized along with the fuel charge during the combustion process. It does not contain any alcohol or any other emulsifier (emulsifiers combine water clumps into larger clumps, affecting combustibility and resulting in carbon deposits - the FAA forbids the use of emulsifying agents in AVgas. Some companies will say water "disappears" if you use their product. You will get the same result if you add rubbing alcohol or EG antifreeze). You cannot make water magically disappear from fuel nor can you make it burn. But you can use applied science to break it down to such a small size that it can be safely vaporized with the fuel charge.

Star Tron will keep fuel stabilized for up to 2 years and does so without causing the engine to run "smoky" when you do put it back into service. The downside of chemical based stabilizers, and keep in mind that we make one too, is that you get a smoky exhaust when you finally start the engine after it has been sitting idle for several months. Star Tron keeps it just as fresh, but because the fuel's combustibility is actually improved, you don't get the smoky exhaust and the engine cranks up nice and easy. The active-ingredient enzymes keep fuel delivery systems clean; we constantly get calls from marine engine, motorcycle, car and outdoor power equipment techs who tell us they use it to clean carbs and injectors just by treating the fuel and running the engine) .

Regular pump gas already has an anti-corrosive additive so we do not put one in Star Tron - some of these actually affect the combustibility of the fuel in a negative way. We don't add extra detergents either, since ethanol (alcohol) is a very powerful solvent, so when it is combined with the enzymes, engines are staying clean. The fact that the enzymes allow hydrocarbons (gasoline or diesel fuel) to burn more completely is how the product allows engines to run at peak efficiency. No other treatment has enzymes, so no other treatment can do what it does.

Like I said at the onset, StaBil is a fine product. So is Star Tron. They use very different approaches to treating fuel. Use what makes you happy, but know what you are adding to your fuel and use what will deliver the results you desire.

[zildjian]

Thank you very much for your post! Very Informative

[TommyBass]

Thank you very much for your post! Very Informative

X2... good information there!

[Vinny Chase]

Every since I got my boat this last spring I have been using the Mercury Quickclean products...Anyone else using just these products and not a star-tron ro Sta-bil?