coffee break Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 (edited) Since most of us do not drive our 7 every day, what fuel additive(s) do you use to keep your fuel systems from getting gummed up? My case is related to Webbers, but I'm sure FI can be subject to gunk issues. Lately I've been using Stabil 360. I was talking with my brother today and he uses Seafoam in his m'cycles. What have you had luck with? Dang! I wish I had spelled "additives" correctly when I started the thread! Edited March 4, 2016 by coffee break Dang spelling error Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlumba81 Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 For stuff that doesn't run for more than 2 months I just use the good old red Stabil fuel additive, but there's no ethanol in our fuel here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 I was concerned about such additives to degrade my fuel cell bladder or the foam inside (they are anyway overdue for replacement) and never used any of this stuff. But I have had the car sitting with California E10 for up to 5 months one time and (unfortunately) quite often 1-2 months. No problem. Car started every time. I did clean the injectors a while ago, just to be sure. Did not make any difference. I am wondering if these stabilizers are a bit over-rated. Is there any credible report of modern engine fuel systems that actually gummed up (not with simple dirt but some kind of polymerized fuel??) or is that only another urban myth or marketing plot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 The only viable solution I have found with the webers is to dismantle and clean. It's a tedious, but rewarding task. For best results I use an ultrasonic bath. It's becoming about time to clean them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdog Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 50:1 two stroke oil works great. Don't laugh it really does. Lubes the top end as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 50:1 two stroke oil works great. Don't laugh it really does. Lubes the top end as well. And they make scented versions of it. Your exhaust can smell like strawberry or cannabis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderbrake Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 I use Stabil in my gas when I park the seven for the winter. I am sold on the stuff. About 15 years ago, I bought a medium sized Toro snow blower, and asked the guy if I should shut off the gas and run it dry at the end of winter. I had been doing this in lawn mowers and chainsaws to keep them from gumming up, because of past bad results of doing nothing. He said, No, don't bother, just put in stabil, and forget about it. I did that, and have not had any problem with starting or running with that snow blower, and I just used it a couple weeks ago with 1 1/2 year old gasoline. I am convinced it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 ...... I am convinced it works. Jerry, sorry for being the Doubting Thomas here...this is my problem with the anecdotal evidence. I really believe you it "works", which practically means it does not make anything worse. But I am rather looking for evidence of actual "fouling" if such stabilizers are NOT added. I read reports of gumming , varnishing, oxidation etc. and I kind of suspect people are just citing each other. There is no doubt that water separation can happen with ethanol containing gas exposed to humidity or that injectors can clog with particles (ask MoPho about it :smash: )but that is a separate story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 And they make scented versions of it. Your exhaust can smell like ... cannabis. So that's what I'm smelling while driving around in Denver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 So that's what I'm smelling while driving around in Denver. Probably not. The legal cannabis doesn't smell anything like it did in the past, the smoke or unsmoked pot. Its all buds that are quite green and wet with resin. The grow operations throw away the leaves which has caused a problem with dogs getting into the dumpsters and ODing on the leaves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderbrake Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Jerry, sorry for being the Doubting Thomas here...this is my problem with the anecdotal evidence. I really believe you it "works", which practically means it does not make anything worse. But I am rather looking for evidence of actual "fouling" if such stabilizers are NOT added. I read reports of gumming , varnishing, oxidation etc. and I kind of suspect people are just citing each other. There is no doubt that water separation can happen with ethanol containing gas exposed to humidity or that injectors can clog with particles (ask MoPho about it :smash: )but that is a separate story. My own personal experience with lawn mowers, chain saws , weed wackers etc, was that if you left old gas in them over the winter, the carbs would be gummed up, you would experience hard starting and bad running, and the carbs needed rebuilding. With the Stabil I have not experienced this. I have never experienced this effect in a car, but I'm not taking any chances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 So that's what I'm smelling while driving around in Denver. Mike...I though that was tacos, frijoles and salsa...personal gas addative. :jester: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdog Posted March 3, 2016 Share Posted March 3, 2016 My own personal experience with lawn mowers, chain saws , weed wackers etc, was that if you left old gas in them over the winter, the carbs would be gummed up, you would experience hard starting and bad running, and the carbs needed rebuilding. With the Stabil I have not experienced this. I have never experienced this effect in a car, but I'm not taking any chances. That's exactly what I experienced using two stroke oil/gas in 4 stroke machines of all kinds that sat for long periods. That is how I stored my motorcycles over the long South Dakota winters. I haven't cleaned a lawn implement or motorcycle carb in a great many years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted March 3, 2016 Author Share Posted March 3, 2016 50:1 two stroke oil works great. Don't laugh it really does. Lubes the top end as well. Is there any particular brand that you have found that works well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderbrake Posted March 3, 2016 Share Posted March 3, 2016 OK, I won't argue with success. The whole idea is to have it start and run well in the spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted March 3, 2016 Author Share Posted March 3, 2016 OK, I won't argue with success. The whole idea is to have it start and run well in the spring. No question there is more than one way to get a clean start after a long period in storage. For my chainsaw and string trimmer, I drain the unused fuel back into the fuel jug and run the motor dry. I do this more to not have alcohol present to destroy gaskets and such. For larger motors I use fuel conditioner to combat the ill effects of alcohol. As for personal use, that's another story....:cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanG Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 The other trick is to fill it with race gas prior to the last drive of the year. No alcohol and is much more stable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now