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By PF Arcand - 5 Years Ago
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Lot of complaints on this site & others I'm sure, about the damage that can come from ethanol laced fuel.. Some have chosen to use premium fuel as it usually has little or no ethanol. Unfortunately, premium fuel is quite a lot more costly.. Anyway, another route to consider is the use of a Fuel stabilizers such as under the company name Staybill, (there may be others also) which is available with an ethanol "stabilizer" under the name Staybill "360". Adding about 1 oz/ 5 Gal. of fuel is supposed to alleviate the ethanol issues.. Note; that company may have changed the branding on that particular product, so ask if you can't find it..
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By Florida_Phil - 5 Years Ago
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I drive my TBird frequently. I use nothing but high test gas. I also have a new carburetor and a new gas tank. My original carburetor is in a box under my bench. I work with a friend that has a large car collection. Most of the problems we have with gas are due to non use. If you drive your car often and keep it properly maintained, you won't have problems with fuel.
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By KULTULZ - 5 Years Ago
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Most of the problems we have with gas are due to non use. If you drive your car often and keep it properly maintained, you won't have problems with fuel.
https://www.bellperformance.com/blog/the-disadvantages-of-adding-ethanol-to-your-fuel
It is very caustic mixture, especially in older vehicles that were not designed to use it.
If you have an open vented fuel tank (no EVAP), it will cause problem(s) at some point, even with the use of stabilizers.
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By DryLakesRacer - 5 Years Ago
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I've used Sta-bil with every fill up for 8 years. I first started with the original formula then moved to 360. I have looked in my tank many times messing with my gas gauge sender and it's spotless. I put in 1 oz. with every fill up usually around 10 gallons. For the most part I use 87 octane and occasionally 89.
Taxiforina gasolines all have ethanol near me and I have never had a problem with the exception if it sits over a month when it needs about 10 seconds of cranking before I pump once to set the choke on the rear carb. The only rubber/flex line in my system is from the main feed line to the pump which was a replacement 5/16" for a 57 Scrubby from Danchuk. You will never convince me not to use an additive as I consider it preventive maintenance.
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By tomfiii - 5 Years Ago
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Throw out all old rubber fuel lines as they deteriorated from fuels today. Use alcohol fuel approved or marine fuel lines. I have found lines deteriorated in less then 3 yrs.
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By paul2748 - 5 Years Ago
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I have used 10 % in all my cars for years. Never used any stuff like Sta-Bil at all. Never had problems with the fuel systems. The only thing that I do is about once a month when the cars are off the road is to start them (take for a ride if possible) and get them up to running temp.
Son used Sta-Bil one year in his 302 powered 41. Gummed up the carb something terrible
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By Joe-JDC - 5 Years Ago
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I used Stabil in one vehicle that wasn't driven much because of wanting to keep mileage low. Ruined the fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel lines, and had to replace them. Vehicle only had 23000 miles on it. Stabil caused the fuel in the tank to turn to something looking like foam rubber. Never again!! Joe-JDC
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By ghancock - 5 Years Ago
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Something that might be mentioned, if not previously said, is that ethanol fuels tend to develop something like an enzyme based scum in the fuel that causes problems. I am back to the hobby after many years away. In any event, there is a fuel treatment product by "Star-Tron" that supposedly addresses this problem, I have read about it some in the past, you might look it up; perhaps Sta-Bil does the same thing. It may be worth a look.
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By slumlord444 - 5 Years Ago
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I've used Stabl in my T Bird, lawn mowers, and antique John Deer tractor for many years. Never had an issue that I can blame on it.
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By PF Arcand - 5 Years Ago
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I'm taken aback by Joe's apparent fuel system disaster!. It's well known that Ethanol can raise hell with older systems not designed for it.. However, if Stabil "360", particularly formulated for Ethanol, is also a problem, why is it still marketed? . The recommended dose for 5 U.S. Gal, or 660 oz, is about one ounce.. that work's out to about .15 percent.. Gotta be something else happening there.. First, regular Staybil was "not rated" for Ethanol fuels & it's normal dosage was supposed to be for 12 months or doubled for storage for up to 2 yrs & it was recommended to run the engine long enough to circulate it thru the carb etc.. Beyond that, I presume the tank & so on should be drained...
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By HT32BSX115 - 5 Years Ago
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paul2748 (2/17/2020)
I have used 10 % in all my cars for years. Never used any stuff like Sta-Bil at all. Never had problems with the fuel systems. The only thing that I do is about once a month when the cars are off the road is to start them (take for a ride if possible) and get them up to running temp. Son used Sta-Bil one year in his 302 powered 41. Gummed up the carb something terrible
I think I am going to agree with you. I also have used E10 for many years. In fact, I have used it since MTBE was banned and then replaced by ethanol. Aside from the political reasons we're still forced to use 10% ethanol (E10) I have never had a problem in any of my gasoline powered equipment from mowers, tractors, cars, trucks and inboard and outboard boats.
One machine in particular that has always been powered using E10 is my 5500W single cyl Briggs & Stratton generator. I bought it in the early 90's and have used it intermittently once a year or or once every 2 years before being started again.
The key to it reliably starting and running is to close the fuel delivery valve and let it run out of fuel after every use. I do the same with my 2004 Tohatsu outboard I bought new...... only I disconnect the fuel line to let the engine run out of gas.
I also don't leave the fuel in the tank if it's going to sit for a year or more. I drain it out and use it someplace else.
The only fuel left in it is possibly a tiny bit in the carburetor fuel bowl. In the inboard boat (1997 carbureted Mercruiser 454, 44 gallon tank) I run the tank down as low as possible, 1/4 tank or less, and fill it up at the beginning of the next boating season.......for those thinking condensation I used to think that too........I don't anymore..... read https://www.yachtsurvey.com/myth_of_condensation_in_fuel_tanks.htm
If you think running NON-ethanol fuel is the answer, it probably isn't, but if you still want to, do not trust the suppliers claiming to providing it.
You must test it to be sure.
Petersen Aviation suggests a very simple procedure to test for presence of ethanol in gasoline: https://www.autofuelstc.com/fuel_testing.phtml
Every time over the years that E10 has been available and I had what was or appeared to be a fuel related problem the E10 fuel turned out to NOT be the culprit.
That's been my experience. ymmv
Cheers, Rick
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By Tim Quinn - 5 Years Ago
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I burn 89 proof pure gas with no Corn Oil (ethanol)Get 20% better mileage and great performance. Here in Florida, Wawa stations have the 89 octane fuel.
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By Daniel Jessup - 5 Years Ago
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This is my personal perspective, complete with photos and videos, if anyone would like to read about it. Just too much information to put on the forum.
https://www.hotrodreverend.com/post/2019/07/13/1955-ford-part-81-running-with-the-devil
I do have a follow up later on in another post I wrote that gave the results of running with ethanol-free fuel. If you root around on my blog site for other posts you will run across an Edelbrock rebuild that I did last year. Quite a mess with the results of ethanol - I would assume because I did not run the engine...sometimes a few months at a time, back when I was working through everything. Nasty.
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