Gasoline Treatment

I would suggest you take a look at Mercruiser's web site. http://www.mercurymarine.com/ethanol2. Because of ethanol fuel (if it's used in your area) the answer isn't quite so simple anymore. Towards the end of this article, they talk about how to store ethanol blends over the winter.

If you have non-ethanol blended fuels, then fill your tank and add a good stabilizer like STABIL. That's what I have used for the last five years myself.
 
I have used Stabil for years with good success and no problems. It is a little cheaper than the Merc stuff too and has been well proven in marine and other applications.

I used Stabil for years in the Midwest where ethanol has been in the mid-grade fuel for over twelve years. It works fine with ethanol belnded fuels.

I do use a a heavy dose of Gumout Regane once a year in the tanks. I researched the ingredients and effectiveness of the various fuel system cleaners on www.bobistheoilguy.com and Regane is maybe the best and effective cleaner out there because of its active ingredient and concentration thereof.
 
Ditto on the Stabil :thumbsup: I've used Stabil for years with good success and no problems. Trying to remember what I've used in my diesel fuel, but can't remember it. When I have my farm tanks filled a couple times a year I have them add it to the tank and have never had a problem with my tractors.
 
Also use Stabil in the 8.1 Crusaders. We live in a similar climate and have good results with the product. In fact, we've used it for 35 years.
 
Just to be different, I have used Sea Foam for many years on Mercruiser MPI's with non ethanol fuel. Another brand our marina is has is 2+4 the mechanic said it is better than Sea Foam....
 
in the B.E. era (Before Ethanol) i used starbright's formula. never had a problem. now that there is the issue of ethanol's degradation in 3 months, i switched to star-tron. this is the only product i have found that SPECIFICALLY addresses this well known problem with ethanol formulations. their literature claims that it will keep E10 stable for over a year. i have found no other product that claims this.

required reading...
http://www.starbrite.com/productdet...nd Diesel Additives&ProductSSCat=Startron Gas

:thumbsup:
 
Can someone explain "fuel gelling caused by alcohol and cold weather" when we're talking about gas and relative short storage (3 to five months)?? Marketing BALONEY to me!

I used to live in Iowa and we had E10 since the late 80s up in the Midwest. Stabil worked perfectly fine with E10 every year ...
 
alex, i sure hope you're right. i wasnt aware that e10 has been around for that long. do you have any experience with 5-7 month storage of a boat with e10? i personally dont know of anyone who has had any problems since the switchover in our area (early spring) but i think time will tell for sure. the optimist in me says it is a bunch of BS and alarmists playing on our fears.
 
Stabil will stain so be careful

One caution on using Stabil on your boat...the Marine version (green stuff) will stain just about anything it comes in contact with. It will scrub off of the fiberglass fairly easily but if it gets on any of the vinyl upholstery, forget it.

So hypothetically speaking, if you set the empty container down on your aft seat while climbing back into the cockpit, and you don't notice that the container had a little residue on the bottom, you will have a very nice green ring in the shape of the Stabil container permanently stained onto your seat. Ask me how I know! :smt013
 
rondds said:
in the B.E. era (Before Ethanol) i used starbright's formula. never had a problem. now that there is the issue of ethanol's degradation in 3 months, i switched to star-tron. this is the only product i have found that SPECIFICALLY addresses this well known problem with ethanol formulations. their literature claims that it will keep E10 stable for over a year. i have found no other product that claims this.

required reading...
http://www.starbrite.com/productdet...nd Diesel Additives&ProductSSCat=Startron Gas

:thumbsup:
Click to expand...


Ditto:thumbsup: 3 Seasons, no issues using Star-tron. Just left mechanic and he had a jar fuel of E10 fuel and it had gone bad that they had to extract from a customer's boat. Looked like someone had put petroleum jelly in a gas tank...gross stuff. He also had a jar for the 9th month on the counter with Star-tron treated gas....looked like fresh fuel.....Neat experiment!
 
The quality of gas manufactured these days is poor compared to years past.It loses octane and "gells" or breaks down alot quicker.Fuel stabilizer is advised and is cheap insurance even if your only wintered 3 months.Also...make sure you add the stabilizer and run the boat awhile before you pull it ....so it works its way into the whole fuel system (carb or injected)
Cheers
 
Uh oh!!, I winterized my boat November 11th after filling my tank full. The gas dock I buy form says they pay extra and have a stabilizer in there gas that they buy. I forgot to add stabilizer in my tank. We are talking like just from then to now. What should I expect if anything, or what should I watch for when in regards to this when I start up this season ?? Anyone....
 
You will know if you have a problem. Rough running, sputtering and engine quits. If all else is well, culprit is probably junk in the fuel filters. Just change them out and use the fuel up as quickly as possible and change them again if they are dirty. If you have water, you will need to have the fuel removed by a marina. Probably should not try this yourself due to safety issues. If things seem ok, and they probably will be ok, just use the old gas up and fill with fresh.
 
Any boat I have ever had & mtr. I have used stabil (the red) & SeaFoam - I only burn premium (which is all one of our marinas sells) the other has regular & have heard of problems with water in their gas - Ethanol is a no no for all boat mtrs
 
I've been using Stabil in the gas can I use for my mower, snow blower, and power washer for years. I have a classic car that I don't use in the winter months and I have been using Stabil in that for years. I also use Stabil in my boat tanks. I add it just before the last ride of the season so it has a chance to mix well with the gas and go through the whole fuel system. I've never used the marine version. I just use the plain old red stuff that I buy in the biggest bottle I can find at Home Depot. I also add Startron to the tanks in the boat every time I get fuel.
I've never had a fuel problem yet.
 
ValvTect Marine Gasoline contains extra stabilizer, extra detergent to clean up deposits and moisture dispersant to prevent phase seperation. So additional fuel additives (Stabil, Startron, etc.) are not needed. Save time, money and figuring out what additive to use.

Check their web site http://www.valvtect.com.
 
I am not sure about the ethanol in the gas in this boat as there are a good many marinas here which do not yet use the ethanol blend, but I would like to use something to remove moisture or anything else.

I should be moving the boat this Saturday from Daytona Beach, Florida to Jacksonville, Florida, about at a minimum of 120 or more miles. So, if I get(?) lets say I achieve somewhere between 30-35 GPH this would be a good time to put something in the tanks to condition the fuel. If I arrive in Jacksonville in time, before the fuel station closes, I plan on topping the tanks off before docking. So what is a good additive to use?

Thanks

:thumbsup:
 
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Which one of these do you guys use, green or red?

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...eId=10001&Ntk=Primary+Search&ddkey=SiteSearch

Green:
Improves engine performance year-round — not just for seasonal storage
Double the corrosion protection; Plus five times the cleaning power for your fuel system

Red:
Keeps stored fuel fresh indefinitely so your engine will start easily even after being stored all winter. Prevents gum and varnish buildup and protects metal surfaces from corrosion. Use for storing up to 12 months.

Last year I was advised to use the green one and I didn't have trouble starting the boat. But that doesn't mean it's the best solution. Bsed on the description, the red one is more applicable for the winter. I wander if I need to put both.
 
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