fuel treatment for storage

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I've used Sta-bil for 2 years but am considering using seafoam instead. Any reason to not use the seafoam?

[dclark1946]

Empty Nest, Soon wrote:
The blue "marine" Sta-Bil is much superior to the normal red. I add the blue to every can of gasoline I buy for the small engines.

I neglected to start my Champion generator for over 2 years. Pulled it out, expecting the worst. Started first pull.

I believe in the blue Sta-Bil.

Wayne

That is what I use after having an issue with the original Stabil about 4 years ago but the fuel was a year old and the EU1000's do have very tiny jets. I tried to use Sea Foam to correct the problem but it did not help at all. The original red Stabil was reformulated to deal with the ethanol issue shortly after that but I have continued using the blue stuff for all of my small engines and my 70 Mustang. I don't leave fuel in my generators for more than a couple of months any more.

Dick

[Harvey51]

Some former students of mine have a small engine repair shop here. They are a talented crew - one built a small engine in the school shop for a science fair, which ran beautifully. These "boys" don't like Stabil. They recommend Briggs & Stratten fuel stabilizer.

I haven't seen sea foam in Canada.

[mkirsch]

Everything with a motor that gets parked for winter gets a double-dose of StaBil.

I save the Seafoam for tractors I bring back from the dead. They usually smoke blue pretty bad, and a massive dose of seafoam clears them right up. Get 'em warm, add as much seafoam straight into the intake as they will take without stalling, let 'em sit overnight. Next day it will smoke like a fiend for a few minutes, and clear right up.

[JaxDad]

Beverley&Ken wrote:
I've used the Home Hardware (not Home Depot) store brand of fuel stabilizer for the past 7 years. No problems with either the V10 or the generator. It was cheaper than Stabil and Seafoam is not available close to me.

Ken

I'm not sure how 'close' you mean, but any auto parts store will likely carry it, as does Chinese Tire so Alliston or Bradford.

[Winged_One]

Got nothing against Seafoam, my Father uses it and likes it for an additive. I personally have used regular old Stabil in motorbikes, old cars, Coleman and Yamaha generators, and my newer diesel truck (diesel stabil) for as far back as 23 winters on some (November to April, none gets started and run).

No issues so far (just jinxed myself).

[dapperdan]

I have been using SeaFoam in our Honda generator since buying it. That was over four years ago and NEVER have had a problem starting it. I don't drain the generator, never have. I do make sure that I use only non-reformulated gas in it tho. The generator gets a "shot" of SeaFoam EVERY time I put gas in it.

I use SeaFoam in my Goldwing when storing it for the winter as well. NEVER had a problem with that either, again I make sure the last fill on the bike before storage is with non-reformulated gas.

Dan

[2oldman]

I recommend draining generators of fuel for long term storage.

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

The blue "marine" Sta-Bil is much superior to the normal red. I add the blue to every can of gasoline I buy for the small engines.

I neglected to start my Champion generator for over 2 years. Pulled it out, expecting the worst. Started first pull.

I believe in the blue Sta-Bil.

Wayne

[ktmrfs]

I used stabil for a while in my honda generator, weedeater etc. and ended up with plugged pilot jets. Took a big dose of seafoam to clean it out. Since then I've used seafoam instead of stabil and found it is much better than stabil. No plugged jets, easier starting better idling after having them set fo a while (month or so).

yes, you need more seafoam, yes I think it costs more, but IMHO it works much better than stabil.

[Beverley_Ken]

I've used the Home Hardware (not Home Depot) store brand of fuel stabilizer for the past 7 years. No problems with either the V10 or the generator. It was cheaper than Stabil and Seafoam is not available close to me.

Ken

[JaxDad]

IMHO, Sta-bil is preventative, SeaFoam is for after you forget to use Stab-bil.

[pianotuna]

Hi Mex,

I'll also be running premium (non ethanol) gas for the next while (cost is 63 cents more per US gallon than for regular). The generator did not like Sta-Bil last winter. The V-10 in the E-450 was fine with it.

I found starting much easier once I treated the generator with seafoam and the effect was more or less instantaneous.

Our climate is cold and dry.

In the V-10 mileage was significantly improved.

[path1]

Here is my experience with Seafoam in a V-8 gas motor. Got rig used and probably never had any fuel treatment.

Followed directions to "clean injectors" and within 100 miles one injector fouled out. Cleaned that injector and then shortly later another one got plugged up. Took all injectors out and had them cleaned by an injector place. The place really loves Seafoam. They get a lot of business off it. It does to good of job cleaning.

I remember the cleaning place saying that Seafoam is so strong that it breaks stuff loose that might be better off left alone. The stuff that is gummed up in a corner of your tank. But seafoam breaks that stuff up and it has to go somewhere, so off to your fuel system it goes.


Some made it passed my fuel filter (obviously)and plugged up injectors.

Was recommended that I change fuel filter every 3,500 miles for 3 times then back to normal schedule. Haven't had any problems since.

At the time I was angry with seafoam. But since then I feel better and have "cleaned" out the insides. And by default learned all about coil over plugs, injector "bails" or little cages that injectors have. Matter of fact it only takes me about 20 min to change an injector now. And I also (now) carry a spare injector. Of course that probably means I'll never need.

Seafoam did make my chain saw and lawn mower run better. I even ran some in my coleman lantern. And Yes lantern was brighter. I shared that on here and somebody that collects lanterns PM me and said never do that again. The stuff under the gas cap on lanterns can fall apart with seafoam.

So IMO as a fuel treatment for storage NO. AS a good cleaner YES

[SeaDog_BRR]

I use seafoam in everything including chain saw, lawn mowers, and Harley I don't drain the gas in the winter and have had no problem starting in the spring. Seafoam stopped the hunting on my Onan generator took about four hours of running to clean the carb after that no problems. The cost is minimal given the results it goes on sale at walmart and bimart on a regular basis, I stock up then