Bass2124 Posted March 3, 2015 Posted March 3, 2015 As spring is approaching and the dog days of winter are hopefully coming to an end, I started thinking about the to do list to get ready for another great season of fishing. As I went in to the storage unit where I park my boat, I see a full bottle of Sta-bil sitting on the stern of the boat. In my haste to winterize, I completely forgot to add it in. Is it too late to add it in? I have a 2001 Mercury 90 HP 2 stroke that runs great and would hate to screw it up over a bout of forgetfulness. Quote
Super User Scott F Posted March 3, 2015 Super User Posted March 3, 2015 I went years and never knew about adding Stabil over the winter and never had any problems. You're probably OK. Go shead and add it now, it can't hurt. Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted March 3, 2015 Super User Posted March 3, 2015 Not sure if it is too late, but I, and many others, add Stabil, or something similar every time we add fuel to the tank. Today's fuels begin to degrade rapidly, if left on their own. Adding the recommended amount at every fill up is cheap insurance. I'm not sure how well any of the fuel additives mix with the fuel when they are poured in on top of the fuel. It works fine during the season because the fuel sloshes around in the tank whether the boat is being hauled over the road, or being run on the water. I add it to the fuel for the lawn mowers, trimmers, edger, and all other gas powered tools. Most will start fine, even if the fuel has sat in the tanks over the winter. But, the lawn edger will absolutely not run, or even give a poof with fuel three or four months old. Had to drain the tank and add fresh gasoline. Then it started right up. Since I started treating the fuel, the edger will start right up in the spring on "old" fuel. Quote
BassnChris Posted March 3, 2015 Posted March 3, 2015 I went years and never knew about adding Stabil over the winter and never had any problems. You're probably OK. Go shead and add it now, it can't hurt. x2....................is your tank full? I would add the recommended amount of stabil and then add fuel to fill up the tank. Take her out and run it around for awhile if it was warm enough. Alternative....pump out the tank. Quote
Bass2124 Posted March 3, 2015 Author Posted March 3, 2015 x2....................is your tank full? I would add the recommended amount of stabil and then add fuel to fill up the tank. Take her out and run it around for awhile if it was warm enough. Alternative....pump out the tank. That's what I was planning to do. Just wasn't sure if it would be too late and if the ethanol separation is permanent once it has separated. Hate to pump out the tank. I'll try your first recommendation ! Quote
Super User Scott F Posted March 3, 2015 Super User Posted March 3, 2015 I left gas in my snowblower untreated for a year and it started right up when I needed it. Fuel problems with gas that has ethanol can happen but it's not guaranteed. Quote
Al Wolbach Posted March 3, 2015 Posted March 3, 2015 I have read that untreated ethanol gas can turn into a jello type consistency over time. But nowhere can I find how much time it takes, because there are so many variables. But before I took a chance of pumping that through my entire fuel system, I believe I would pump the fuel tank.........OR.......If you feel lucky.....Top off the tank with fresh fuel, a bottle of sea foam and go to the lake and give it a try. If you choose the latter I would not venture to far from the boat ramp until I had run a lot of fuel through the engine. Please let us know how this works out, especially if you top off the tank. Good luck.........Al Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted March 4, 2015 Super User Posted March 4, 2015 Usually you can tell if it separated just by the smell. Open up your tank and take a whiff. If it doesn't smell like normal gas pump out as much as you can and reload. Quote
Fishinthefish Posted March 4, 2015 Posted March 4, 2015 I've had a friend who never used the stuff his boat ran for ten years without an issue. If you're seriously worried about it, drain it. Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted March 4, 2015 Super User Posted March 4, 2015 Nothing to worry about. Don't overthink it. Quote
Super User retiredbosn Posted March 7, 2015 Super User Posted March 7, 2015 Add the treatment of your choice, add some fuel to mix it up and run it. Quote
stfreed Posted March 8, 2015 Posted March 8, 2015 I use pure ethanol free gas and my boat only goes about 3-4 months without use (Dec- Mid March). I fill the tank completely before it goes in the garage for the winter, this decreases the moisture the gas is exposed to. by decreasing the volume of air that the tank can breath in. The tank that is partially full or nearly empty breathes day in and day out a larger volume of moisture laden air as the temperature fluctuates, and if it is stored outside the temperature fluctuations are even greater each day/night. This moisture laden air is exposed to the ethanol (which absorbs water), once the amount of ethanol reaches the saturation point that is when you get phase separation (water layers out). This is when bad things happen. However if this were my boat and the tank was full I would siphon out 5 gallons and look at the fuel. If it looks ok I would add the marine sta-bill and pour the five gallons back in to mix up the tank. If the tank is partially full and it has been stored outside I would siphon out all you can and refill with fresh high octane fuel and go fishing. Quote
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