Sta-Bil Fuel Stabilizer

Bill/Diana wrote:
When I started this thread little did I realize it would generate so much interest. Thanks for all the comments & suggestions. I just might switch from Sta-Bil to Seafoam.

I'm not sure what difference it would make which you use.
One says it is a "hydrocarbon blend" with less than 25% isopropanol, the other says it is "petroleum distillate" with up to 5% "additive misture".
I would almost be willing to bet that they mean 75-95% naphtha and 5-25% light machine oil.
I guess I should not forget the alcohol...
The exact composition of both is a "trade secret"!
I wonder, what are they afraid to tell us?

When I started this thread little did I realize it would generate so much interest. Thanks for all the comments & suggestions. I just might switch from Sta-Bil to Seafoam.

I am another one that used to use Stabil, and switched to Seafoam. I used to think it was snake oil, until I used it at someone elses recommendation for a gummed up carb.
Seafoam does everything Stabil does, plus it helps clean the system.

Airstreamer67 wrote:

The Texan wrote:
My last use of Sta-Bil cost me $2000+ in fuel system repairs and the mechanic laid the blame directly on Sta-Bil. I will no longer use the stuff. I have used Seafoam and had 3 vehicles set for over 15 months with Seafoam and absolutely NO problems starting, or running the remainder of the tank of fuel.

With so many testimonials from others about the value of StaBil, what insight did the mechanic have about why it was so destructive to your rig?

No, other than he had seen so many damaged fuel delivery system that had used Sta-bil in the fuel and all had the same pattern of destruction, while other fuel systems with no stabilizer had a completely different pattern of damage to the system.

I used sta-bil for years for6 months storage. I now use nothing. no difference.

I have heard that Sta-Bil had a problem with boozed up gas (E=10 and higher) so they changed their formula.

I use Sea-Foam when I know it will be months between fills.. EVEN IF I'm Driving..

I used to use Sta-Bil for winter storage before the govrnment contaminated the gas with booze.

I've always used Sta-Bil in my fuel tank for many years with no problems. Anytime that my coach is going to sit 3 months or longer Sta-Bil goes into my fuel tank. I have a Big Block Chevy gas engine in my RV.

I’ve heard that the Marine Formula (blue) Sta-Bil is far better than the regular (red) Sta-Bil.

Each time I buy gasoline for the small engines, I add blue Sta-Bil to the can.

Not long ago, I started the engine on the Champion 4000/3500 genset for the first time in 2 years. I feared problems after I neglected it for so long.

It started on the first pull. I could be wrong, but I give credit to the blue Sta-Bil that I always add to the gas can for the small engines.

Wayne

Condensation is the problem that is created with long periods of inactivity....fill the tank with fuel on the last fill-up and it will eliminate space for condensation to form.

I have around 15 engines that range from a couple of 2-stroke lawn/garden tools to 5 old garden tractors to a 1967 Corvette, some "regular" vehicles to the MH. The MH sits in a shed from November to April. I have used Stabil in the MH in the past but don't bother with all the small engines. All of the engines have E10 in them.

This winter, I saw the Stabil that I bought for the MH still on the shelf in the garage!!. It's still there and the MH started fine last month-------------just as all the small engines (as they always have) and the old Corvette (as it always does). So I wonder if it is really needed.

I know that a lot of people experience problems that seem to be fuel related---------------it makes me wonder if there are regional differences in the quality of the fuel. Most of my fuel is bought at Kwik-Trip and is supposedly "Top Tier" gas.