Fuel stabilizer

[JohnCal]

Should I add fuel stabilizer with every fill up?  Do I need to measure it or can I use the whole bottle?  There are so many on the market, some say for storage, some for cleaning, etc, not sure which one to use ?  Thansk

[Tennessee Boy]

I don’t think it makes much difference if you use the gas in a reasonable amount of time.   I currently use Stabil but I’m probably gonna stop when I use up what I have.  The most important thing is to always use ethanol free gas.  

[Way north bass guy]

If you’re using half decent, fresh fuel from a reputable gas station, and you’re using the boat fairly regularly during the season there’s no need at all for any extra additives. I always add stabilizer to the last tank of the year to get it through the engine on the last run, and in over 25 years of owning large fishing boats with several different companies motors on them, I’ve never once had any issues with fuel, and my boat sits for 5 months in the winter every year. 

[MN Fisher]

24 minutes ago, Way north bass guy said:

and my boat sits for 5 months in the winter every year. 

For me, if there's any gas left in the tank at the end of the season...it gets poured into the truck's tank.

[Bird]

I only run non ethanol fuel in my boat simply because it's readily available in my neck of the woods.

On the last trip of the year the tank gets quicksilver fuel stabilizer.

[A-Jay]

I went down this road a while back.

Post in linked below.

Abridge version is, I switch to REC GAS (non-ethanol) and never looked back.

If it's an option in your area, I highly recommend it.

I do run a Quick Clean through my ProXS once in the summer.

That's the only thing I put in my gas tank now until winter storage. 

A-Jay

[PourMyOwn]

42 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

For me, if there's any gas left in the tank at the end of the season...it gets poured into the truck's tank.

Same here- my Tundra doesn't mind a gallon of 50:1 in its 20 gallon tank. I also have access to ethanol free gas which is all I use in my small engines/outboards. 

[Alex from GA]

I put Seafoam in my tank about once a month, about 6 oz.  My tank is only 6 gallons and I use about 5 gallons a week.

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, PourMyOwn said:

Same here- my Tundra doesn't mind a gallon of 50:1 in its 20 gallon tank.

Ya - the Silverado doesn't care if it's a couple gallons of the 24 in it's tank

 

6 minutes ago, PourMyOwn said:

I also have access to ethanol free gas which is all I use in my small engines/outboards. 

Four stations near me carry ethanol free gas...being by the most used lake in the metro area has it's advantages.

[airshot]

Been using E10 since it came out with O issues.  Neighbor has about 20 old cars ( 50's -70's) and runs E10 for years with O issues !!   Non E fuel leaves a residue that alcohol dissolves and creates a mess this is where the issues are created..  Use a stabilizer as recomended and you will be fine !!  Besides that...stabilizer is far less expensive than paying an extra .50 a gallon for non E  fuel !!!

[Capt Ed]

JohnCal, from reading your other posts, it's obvious you want to take good care of  your Tracker 190.  Good on you.

 

 

Fuel Selection:

Make your fuel selections based on the following criteria, IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER:

-High Traffic, Top-Tier (Name Brand) Fuel
-Appropriate Octane Rating (see above info)
-Lowest possible ethanol content (NEVER to exceed 10%).
-While it may be preferable to utilize a fuel that contains lower (or no) ethanol, use of fuels that are SUBSTANTIALLY higher octane can result in decreased performance, decreased fuel economy, and potential for carbon buildup. Higher octane fuels burn SLOWER and COOLER.

[gim]

On 6/17/2023 at 6:46 AM, Way north bass guy said:

If you’re using half decent, fresh fuel from a reputable gas station, and you’re using the boat fairly regularly during the season there’s no need at all for any extra additives. I always add stabilizer to the last tank of the year to get it through the engine on the last run, and in over 25 years of owning large fishing boats with several different companies motors on them, I’ve never once had any issues with fuel, and my boat sits for 5 months in the winter every year. 

This is me too. Except I let the boat service dept winterize my outboard every October so they add stabilizer.

[JohnCal]

Thanks everyone , great info as usual!

[TOXIC]

I know I’m a little late to the party but I ran a Mercury 225 for hundreds of hours on e-10. It was a 2000 model and I sold it in 2012 with the original plugs in it.  Never had a motor problem.  In my 250 Yamaha I run e-10 but I do add a stabilizer (stabil) and Yamaha’s Ring Free to help with carbon. I’ve been going out with my partner for so long, I’m now going to have to do a full maintenance on my motor.  Drain gas, new fuel lines, new bulb, new water separator and fuel filters, impeller and water pump, plugs (possibly) and finally, pull the injectors and send off to be cleaned and flow tested. 

[rboat]

I run an old 2 stroke and use the Marine Stabil. Works very well. I also use it in all my lawn equipment and never have any problems. Sometimes my boat may sit for months, due to work, but it always fires up and runs good which is incredible for a 2 stroke.

[airshot]

Be picky where you buy your fuel !!!  Never buy fuel when the big tanker is filling the underground tanks !! This stirs up any crap left in the tank so it will get into yours.  Buy from a station that is busy so there fuel is always fresh !!   I add a small amount of sea foam with each fill, just in case I pickup some poor fuel...at the end of the season I add a good dose of stabil marine to the tank of my boat and all my toys !!  This protects them in the offseason.  No need to go hog wild on additives if you use good fresh fuel !!  Neighbor does the same on his 20 old vehicles and has no issues..  My side by side is a 2015 model, has used E10 all these years, plugs look like new ones, filters all clean never an issue in its life.  With wifes dissability it hasn't been used much in the past 2 1/2 years, but if Ibturn the key right now, it will turn over mabey once then purr like a kitten.  My boat was the same way after 5 months of winter napping in my barn !!!  Be very carefull what fuel you use to begin with !!  

[airshot]

7 hours ago, gimruis said:

This is me too. Except I let the boat service dept winterize my outboard every October so they add stabilizer.

Just curious as what do they do for winterization ??  Let it drain all the water out, drain the carbs, unhook the fuel hose, change the lower unit oil, mabey add some cylinder lube.  Have always done my own and wondered if I am missing something ??

[gim]

1 hour ago, airshot said:

Just curious as what do they do for winterization ??

There is a list of items when I get the receipt. In October if I remember, I will revisit this thread and post it. It costs me about $150 and the dealer I bought the boat from does it for me so I get a discount and they also bump me forward in line. Everyone around here tends to bring their boat in for winterization about the same time in October so it’s generally first come, first serve. The bigger the boat/motor, the more it costs. I have a 75 4-stroke Merc.

 

Some people pay to have their boat shrink wrapped and stored with them in the winter. I keep mine in my garage.

[Tennessee Boy]

Here are a couple of good videos on ethanol gas and fuel stabilizer.   Watch and make up your own mind.

 

 

This one was in the thread @A-Jay posted earlier.

 

 

[JohnCal]

Thanks everyone, great advice

[thomas15]

On 6/17/2023 at 8:57 AM, Alex from GA said:

I put Seafoam in my tank about once a month, about 6 oz.  My tank is only 6 gallons and I use about 5 gallons a week.

 

For my boat, my yard machines and gasoline for our emergency generator we put in Seafoam just as a matter of habit. I have pump gasoline that is over a year old still works and has no unusual odors. I purchase a can at WM whenever I'm in the auto section.