adding additives to gas tank to forestall ethanol problems

FWIW, my local John Deere dealer swears by Startron. I've used it exclusively whenever I'm storing fuel (gas cans). I'll dump a bottle or two in the MH when our last trip is done with in October. The local Harley dealer also recommends StarTron.

I use Starbrite "Startron" enzyme ethanol treatment in the RV and all my cars. Also can use it for Winter storage. I get it online from either Amazon or various wholesale marine stores. Lots of information if you google "startron".

ronfisherman wrote:
Please stay on topic.
We are discussing additives for GAS with Ethanol in it.

Yes - and the small motor uses gas with ethanol in it - the same as other small motors such as generators. The comment is on topic.

Please stay on topic.
We are discussing additives for GAS with Ethanol in it.

The manual for my new John Deere 20 HP yard tractor specified to use fuel stabilizer in all fuel going into it.

I leave an outboard motor stored for 6 months in hot & humid SW Florida. I found the tribal wisdom of leaving tanks full is wrong. The ethanol will separate leaving you with a tank full of something the picky high performance 4 cycle outboard doesn't like. Had to have the tank pumped. I now leave as little fuel as possible, add the marine stabil, and then fill with new fuel when I take the boat out of storage.

A second option: make your last fill at a local marina that sells gas that does not contain ethanol. More expensive, but avoids the problems.

However, my V10 in the MH was also stored for 6 months at a time, and never failed to start on the 10% mix, nor did I have injector problems like the outboard did. Nor did my 4kw Kohler generator. I usually started them a couple of times during the 6 month storage, but the fuel was old, and I did not use stabil in the MH. Be aware that the small form generators in Class C's are much more sensitive to old fuel. I think it's from evaporation in the tiny carb jets and resulting varnish deposits.

thanks guys..I got some stabil but didnt get marine this time cause I didnt realize it was better...Im gonna use it in religiously until I finally get to start on the big adventure...thanks for all your replys....Im so happy to be here......

It can't hurt anything with the aforementioned additives for cheap insurance.

Having said that, I have been led to believe that ETHANOL of 10% or less won't damage your vehicle engine. On the other hand (on the other hand, I have warts) adding METHANOL certainly will damage lotsa parts unless they are protected.

METHANOL will definitely harm rubber and rubber type products and will attack metals that don't have a surface metal conversion process.

I have read that Brazil has a big ETHANOL industry derived from sugar cane and they fuel about half their autos with it.

I have also read that Australia uses a lot of METHANOL for auto fuel.

A full tank does not have a significant difference in the surface area of the fuel than it does at half, or even nearly empty.
There is always headspace above the fuel to ensure expansion/contraction room during temperature swings. On our unit, when we removed the 55 gallon tank to replace the pump, I found there was about 6" from the top of the tank to the top of the fuel when it is full. If the tank was filled completely to leave no headspace, it would probably take 70 gallons if filled via the fuel pump/gauge access port.

I keep ours full over the winter as an emergency resource in the event we lose power at the house.

Like others, I add marine Sta-bil to counter the effects of ethanol's attraction to collect moisture. The tank is, however, all stainless. There's nothing to rust but the moisture plays havoc with the engine and generator.

I don't believe there is any _significant_ difference to the fuel level as far as attracting moisture.

In addition it is my thinking that storing tanks completely full an with Stabil in is way to go. Tanks being full limit the surface an air in contact with gasoline.I try to also keep Diesel tank full cause in adition when you stop them after a trip the fuel an tank are relative hot cause of fuel being returned to tank from warm engine.If tank is not full condensation will form on side as it cools.