5 Months Old Ethanol Gas

[thomm225]

So as usual I'm still starting my outboard on last years gas ........ protected with Sta-bil

Has anyone gone for say 15 months on old gas using Sta-bil storage stabilizer

[MarkSF]

Was this in the outboard? In the carb?

[a64pilot]

I’ve actually gone for years, but that was in an automobile in storage, and fuel fuel injected auto of course has a sealed system, with the only vent being the charcoal cannister that absorbs fumes, and that may be in a solenoid valve so the fuel tank etc is truly sealed.
I believe in a tank that is allowed to breathe in moist air every time the temp changes is to a great extent what causes problems.
ETH fuel can and will phase separate, and that is why your not allowed to burn it in an airplane that has an auto gas STC.

I have not watched the video as I am extremely band width limited now, but it ought to explain phase separation
https://petroclear.com/resources/dont-be-phased.php

[Lepke]

It helps to add some new fuel. If it's not 2 cycle, put it in your car a gallon or 2 at a time. If it has oil in it you can still burn it up in your car but it will smoke a little depending on the dilution.

[rslifkin]

I do it regularly. Boat gets the tanks topped off in the fall with stabilizer and it's typically 9 months before I add any fresh fuel. Never had an issue as a result. I do it with lawn equipment too.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by MarkSF

Was this in the outboard? In the carb?

It's pretty much everywhere in the engine as I start and stop it the normal way all Winter.

There's very little left now in either tank.

I was just wondering how good the StaTA-Bil Stablizer actually is. It says fuel storage up to 24 months.......

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

I do it regularly. Boat gets the tanks topped off in the fall with stabilizer and it's typically 9 months before I add any fresh fuel. Never had an issue as a result. I do it with lawn equipment too.

Okay. Thanks.

[rslifkin]

As an add on, I do fog any engine before storage if it's going to sit for more than a month or so. Which means the carb has a nice oil film in it to keep things from getting gunked up.

I try not to store fuel for more than a year in a vented tank, but in a sealed jerry can with stabilizer, 2 years is probably fine (no condensation concerns, etc.).

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

As an add on, I do fog any engine before storage if it's going to sit for more than a month or so. Which means the carb has a nice oil film in it to keep things from getting gunked up.

I try not to store fuel for more than a year in a vented tank, but in a sealed jerry can with stabilizer, 2 years is probably fine (no condensation concerns, etc.).

Okay.

I have the one 3 gallon standard plastic external outboard tank (vented when I leave the vent screw loose), a 2.5 gallon plastic jug, and the 40 oz integral tank.

I normally use whatever fuel is left in these tanks in the fall to start the engine every few days or weeks over the Winter.

It also gets a nice salt water flush when I do this!

The engine gets it's yearly fresh water flush every spring when I change oils and sometimes the impeller. I've also changed the plug and fuel filter once in almost 9 years. It's a 4 stroke outboard.

Quite different than in the old 2 cycle days...........as far as cleaning or replacing the spark plugs

[Dean Paul]

Regarding fuel storage consider adding a new product , Phaser 3000 additive.

According to the manufacturer it enables water to stay in solution with fuel.

When storing I use a combo of Startron, Phase 3000, and Stabil. Quite a cocktail but it seems to work.

[RONHARDIN]

In the future you might visit a small airport and purchase some 100 Av Gas
That is all I use in Generator or Outboard. After 6 months with the fuel left in the Carburetor my 9.9 outboard starts on first pull. No ethanol added, just pure fuel

[sailingchiro]

no problem with non-ethanol gas. I don't use ethanol gas in marine environment. I have had many problems.

Aviation fuel is low lead 100 or 100ll. It doesn't seem to go bad very quick. I just don't know how non-leaded engines handle low lead. I am ignorant. But we use it in 1970's vintage mopeds with no problem.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by thomm225

So as usual I'm still starting my outboard on last years gas ........ protected with Sta-bil

Has anyone gone for say 15 months on old gas using Sta-bil storage stabilizer

Gas or corm oil?

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Gas or corm oil?

10% ethanol unleaded gas.......since the outboard was new in 2011 with no problems, but using that old fuel after 5 months is a concern but it's worked to this point

Sta-bil says it works for 24 month though

[Mirage35]

FWIW, I just choose to avoid the question - drain and winterize the outboard, then put any leftover gas into my car. (Same thing in the spring if there's any left in the snowblower ...)