Fuel conditioners

[Nitro 882]

I have a 2005 Nitro 882 w/a Merc XR6 150hp.

I usually put $20 worth of 89 octane gas in her and fish often enough so that fuel is used up in a week or less. Because the fuel doesn't hang around long, I don't make a habit of adding fuel stabilizers. Once in a while I feel guilty and add stabilizer in the proper amount recommended on the container.

Every time I do, the motor runs rough at low end and smokes upon start up.

It occurs to me as I'm writing this that the stuff I'm now using is Startron. (I don't recall having this issue with Stabil.)

Anyone else having a similar issue or does my motor need attention? (I just changed plugs.)

Thanks in advance.

[bass or bass ?]

This weekend was my first out with Startron in my tank instead of Stay-Bill Marine, and my motor ran rough/stalled/tried to stall at low/idle speed. I think I'll go back to Sta-Bill.

[Ranger 251]

I have been using Stabil Marine for about a year now and have not had any problems.

[slonezp]

Won't hurt to throw in some Seafoam every couple fill-ups.

[Wayne P.]

Use Seafoam all the time and you won't need any other treatment or preserver anytime.

1 oz per gallon of fuel.

[scaledriver]

Use Seafoam all the time and you won't need any other treatment or preserver anytime.

1 oz per gallon of fuel.

+1 seafoam is great stuff

[Way2slow]

SeaFoam, the only way to go!!!!!  If you run your motor regularly, 1/2  oz per gallon is fine.   Every fith tank, add one ounce per gallon to help decarb the motor.

[K_Mac]

I have always used Stabill. Could changing to Seafoam cause any problems with my motors? Unless I completely drained and cleaned everything there would be some mixing of the two during the transition. Thanks guys.

[bass crazy]

I  am using a mixture of stabill and seafoam in my merc outboard with good results. In fact any time I go buy gas for any small engines I use this mixture. I also add seafoam to my vechicle tanks periodically. perfomamnce and drivability is improved dramatically.

steve

[Nitrofreak]

I use seafoam as well and have never had an issue with it.

The only time I use stabill is when I have to store the boat for a while.

[Wayne P.]

Nitrofreak, this is from the Seafoam web site:

"As a fuel system additive, Sea Foam will clean fuel injectors, clean carbon, gum and varnish deposits, add lubricity to fuel, stabilize fuel for 2 years and control moisture."

Will Stabil work that long as a preserver?

[Crestliner2008]

This is my 5th. season using Startron. No problems, no worries. Do you have a water separator installed? If not, maybe you should think about doing that. The gas we are given these days is pure crap (10% ethanol). It sucks up water out of the air like a sponge. You have to do everything you can to mitigate circumstances. If you decide to go with the separator, get a Yamaha filter. The only 10 micron filter on the market. All other are 20 micron or higher, which doesn't give you as good filtering.

And when you do your tune-up, dispose of the engines gas filter and put in a new one. I don't care how "good" it looks - change it yearly. You've got to put the odds in your favor. I do not believe one additive is any better than any other. If it were that clear cut, all manufacturers of this stuff would be using the same formula....right?

[burleytog]

I run the following mix:

1 oz Stabil Marine per 10 gallons (1 oz. per 5 gallons if I'm not going to be using it for a week or so)

1 oz. Quickleen per 6 gallons

1 oz. of Seafoam per 5 gallons

[Nitrofreak]

Nitrofreak, this is from the Seafoam web site:

"As a fuel system additive, Sea Foam will clean fuel injectors, clean carbon, gum and varnish deposits, add lubricity to fuel, stabilize fuel for 2 years and control moisture."

Will Stabil work that long as a preserver?

I honestly do not know Wayne.

But I have stored my boat for over one year while restoring it and the fuel that was in it the entire time with the stabill added to it worked just fine.

She fired right up and never looked back and that's the reason I always store it like that.

That is not to say that seafoam is a lesser product but I just have not used it for storage.

[Long Mike]

If your engine is sputtering and smoking when you use Startron, that means that the product is doing its job. i.e. cleaning the gunk out of your carburetors.  If you would use it with every fill-up your engine will purr.  In addition, I have used Startron for years and have never taken special efforts when storing the boat for the winter.  That stuff works!

[Nitrofreak]

This is my 5th. season using Startron. No problems, no worries. Do you have a water separator installed? If not, maybe you should think about doing that. The gas we are given these days is pure crap (10% ethanol). It sucks up water out of the air like a sponge. You have to do everything you can to mitigate circumstances. If you decide to go with the separator, get a Yamaha filter. The only 10 micron filter on the market. All other are 20 micron or higher, which doesn't give you as good filtering.

And when you do your tune-up, dispose of the engines gas filter and put in a new one. I don't care how "good" it looks - change it yearly. You've got to put the odds in your favor. I do not believe one additive is any better than any other. If it were that clear cut, all manufacturers of this stuff would be using the same formula....right?

I have never purchased Startron how much is it compared to the others?

And where do you find it? At your local boat shop?

[burleytog]

Walmart will usually have the Startron.  I've seen it in several of the local stores.  Usually with the boating accessories.

[Nitrofreak]

I must have looked over it I don't remember seeing it at my Wal-Mart.

Thanks for the reply!!

[Long Mike]

Both Academy and BPS carry it.  Walmart carries it, occasionally.

[South FLA]

For my Yammy I use Seafoam every other tank, Ringfree in between and Marine Stabil on every tank.

Is there a reason your are running 89 vs. 87? 

I also believe your oil makes a HUGE difference.  Synthetics "smoke" much less.  I really like Pennzoil fully synthetic Oil, or Amsoil HP Injector, they smoke significantly less when compared to conventional oils, I have Mercury Premium in my tank now, don't ask, but it SMOKES much more than the previously mentioned oils.   Send me a P.M. if you want "competitive pricing" on Amsoil. I can have it shipped to your door for less than retail.   

[bass or bass ?]

My boat has only been on the water 3 times since the carb was rebuilt. First two times it ran like a champ at any speed. I was using Sta-Bil Marine those times. Last time out I used Startron and the motor did not want to run at no wake speed, sputtered/stalled/tried to stall at low speed but ran just fine at higher throttle. I'm going back to Sta-Bil Marine. I have used Sea Foam once. WOW! Talk about expensive! Makes the price of fuel seem quite cheap by comparison.

[BigMouthBasstard]

I use evinrude/johnson 2+4 fuel conditioner on my merc. no issues. Plus the 89 octane should eliminate the need anyways. Its the 87 with 10% ethanol you gotta worry about. fuel conditioner can get expensive if your using your boat every week you most likely wont need it. I go by a 90 day storage as a need for conditioner. thats about the time the gas will really be affected by the water build up. that stabil marine is a lethal injection for your outboard. Call mercury customer service and they will tell you what to put in it if you are doubtful of the recommendations here.

not sure of what kind of fuel nozzel is on the nitro, but place a peice of charcoal under the gas cap to absorb and water that may come in, you wouldd woud be suprised what this can collect. be careful tho, you dont want any charcoal running throught the fuel system.

[junebugmn]

+2 on the 2+4 omc conditioner ;D I had a 81 150 johnson, plug's were wet and oiley before the 2+4, 12 gallon's later they were burning tan to brown and no more oiley deposit's! They also make a "engine tune" that you spray into your "slave" solinoid on your carb's, follow instruction's and enjoy the way your motor will run Junebugman