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Off season fuel conditioner

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2018 1:48 pm
by shade2u2
What do you add to the tank for the winter?
Why did you pick that one?

Getting ready to top off the tanks for the season end.

Re: Off season fuel conditioner

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2018 3:25 pm
by jralbert
I always used a "stabilizer" called Sta-bil. Can't say why I used it. At the same time, I always took mfr claims with a couple of grains of salt. But I didn't want to chance a bad outcome and it was relatively cheap stuff. I never saw any objective article reporting on independent tests of stabilizer concoctions. I think fuel additives are somewhat over-hyped.

Others on the forum may be able to point to good reasons for one brand over another... or any brand for that matter

UPDATE: Got un-lazy and thanks to Google found this citation on testing: https://www.boatingmag.com/gear/boating ... ers#page-3

ANOTHER UPDATE: make sure some of the stabilized fuel is in t he carbs before hibernation - that is, run some thru the engine before you winterize.

Re: Off season fuel conditioner

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2018 6:44 pm
by carl
BigM

Re: Off season fuel conditioner

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 7:09 am
by Fastjeff
I've also used Startron. Not sure if it's any better (or worse). The main thing is to fill the tank(s) full as possible with conditioner, then run the motors a bit to get it into the fuel system.

Here's a piece of good news on this hotly debated subject: This summer was such a mess--way too hot, then raining like crazy, then... repeat. I filed the tank of my 19 footer last November with that 10 % ethanol crap, stabilized the fuel, and burnt only half of it this entire year. Still, the motor ran just fine. I intend to pump the rest out before refilling with fresh gas and more stabilizer, but that really old gas DID run fine.

Jeff

PS: Boat is stored outside.

Re: Off season fuel conditioner

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 10:22 am
by shade2u2
Thank you for the details.
Good information.