Sta-bil fuel additive?
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 44
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From: connecticut shore
fuel concern
Your engine is rated to be able to run on fuel with a level of 10% ethanol without any issues. The problem is that the government is not monitoring the level of ethanol in the fuel. I am a marine mechanic so i deal with this headache every day. here in new england we have been testing fuel and finding levels as high as 26%. Most engines have huge running problems with this. Not so much on newer motors but more with the older ones. I've been having issues with my 94 roadking becasue of the ethanol.
We are telling our customers to stabilize everything as even the 10% ethanol fuel starts to break down in as little as 10 days. Good luck and enjoy the new ride.
We are telling our customers to stabilize everything as even the 10% ethanol fuel starts to break down in as little as 10 days. Good luck and enjoy the new ride.
Todays fuel is crap, sometimes I fill my truck up and it runs fine, next time I'll get detonation, I can't tell you how many times that has happened. I'll add the snake oil when I have a problem.
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Cottage Grove, Oregon
cgoing wrote:
...We are telling our customers to stabilize everything as even the 10% ethanol fuel starts to break down in as little as 10 days. ....
Hi, and thanks for the info on the high percent (up to 26%) of ethanol you are seeing in fuel that you're testing. If I may ask, what do you tell your customers to use to stabilize the fuel? I assume that recommendation is for marine engines. And, if so, then would you recommend the same additive for motorcycles?
Stan
...We are telling our customers to stabilize everything as even the 10% ethanol fuel starts to break down in as little as 10 days. ....
Hi, and thanks for the info on the high percent (up to 26%) of ethanol you are seeing in fuel that you're testing. If I may ask, what do you tell your customers to use to stabilize the fuel? I assume that recommendation is for marine engines. And, if so, then would you recommend the same additive for motorcycles?
Stan
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Cottage Grove, Oregon
Snake Oil
Do you only add it if you have a problem? Stan
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: connecticut shore
stabil
most of our manufacturers are recommending marine stabil. I use regualr stabil in my 94 roadking. I have had good luck and it is readily available. However, I would check with your dealer. they may suggest something else. I know Harley does have its own fuel treatment for stabilizing. enjoy the ride
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Cottage Grove, Oregon
Update on my use of Sta-bil
I posted this in another thread about a problem I had with the engine cutting out at 121 miles on the second tank of gas, but wanted to post it here also because this is the thread that I started regarding Sta-bil.
Hi All,
FWIW, I talked to the service manager where I bought the bike. I described to him exactly what happened. He said, "ethanol". He further said that they've been seeing lots of problems with bikes because of ethanol. He recommended adding either regular Sta-bil or marine grade Sta-bil to each tank of gas. He also told me that with my 4.5 gal tank and with the mileage the bike gets, I should be able to go at least 150 miles before filling up. On the way home, I bought a bottle of marine grade Sta-bil and have added 1/2 ounce to my freshly filled tank. After my experience and after what he and several other motorcycle riders have told me, I plan on adding it to each tank of gas from now on. The guy at the auto parts store where I bought the Sta-bil, said that it's not just motorcycles that are having engine problems because of ethanol, it's cars too. Now, it's time to ride and, hopefully, not have anymore problems like I did.
Stan
Hi All,
FWIW, I talked to the service manager where I bought the bike. I described to him exactly what happened. He said, "ethanol". He further said that they've been seeing lots of problems with bikes because of ethanol. He recommended adding either regular Sta-bil or marine grade Sta-bil to each tank of gas. He also told me that with my 4.5 gal tank and with the mileage the bike gets, I should be able to go at least 150 miles before filling up. On the way home, I bought a bottle of marine grade Sta-bil and have added 1/2 ounce to my freshly filled tank. After my experience and after what he and several other motorcycle riders have told me, I plan on adding it to each tank of gas from now on. The guy at the auto parts store where I bought the Sta-bil, said that it's not just motorcycles that are having engine problems because of ethanol, it's cars too. Now, it's time to ride and, hopefully, not have anymore problems like I did.
Stan
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Cottage Grove, Oregon
It may or may not be the 10% ethanol that causes problems. It may be higher levels of ethanol. Possibly the majority of gas stations keep their gas at 10% or less. That may be why we don't see more bikes and cars with problems. As CGOING wrote in this thread:
Your engine is rated to be able to run on fuel with a level of 10% ethanol without any issues. The problem is that the government is not monitoring the level of ethanol in the fuel. I am a marine mechanic so i deal with this headache every day. here in new england we have been testing fuel and finding levels as high as 26%.
I personally have no idea for sure what caused my problem while riding. All I know is that I didn't like it. So, unless it happens again, I plan on using the Sta-bil in each tank, like the service manager recommended. If it happens again with Sta-bil in the tank, I'll again not like it
, and will be going back to the service manager for a second opinion.In the meantime and in-between times, I hope to keep riding and enjoying the weather here in my part of Oregon as much as I can. Hope you and everyone else does the same.
Stan