Stabil is like Yoda in a liquid

[Guest]

5 months in storage
hooked up my happy battery
full choke
one touch of starter

Sooooooooooooooooo
Stabil Use it in good health.

[gearheadE30]

Or just ride all winter.

[sedelen]

I use the Sta-Bil Marine formula with good results. It's got a bit more kick in it.

[Badooka]

SEAFOAM- 2 years stabilized!

[sedelen]

SEAFOAM- 2 years stabilized!

You know all that stuff seems to work pretty good. I used Sea Foam originally and I think it worked pretty well, but the stuff ain't cheap, so I went to Starbrite "Star-Tron" and used that for awhile, I had allot of confidence in that. I was at a Wal-Mart and they were out of the Star-Tron but I needed something so I bought the Marine grade Sta-Bil and I like it. It seems to go further, more bang for the buck so to speak, less costly to use. So I'm going to stay with that "until I find something cheaper"

[mvalenti]

Always used stabil in all my yard equipment too... Also, from time to time couple capfulls of marvel mystery oil in the gas...

[spyug]

Well I have always been a big fan of Seafoam and I have used Stabil when parked for a long time as I did this winter and I've been very disappointed this time. The 550 has been hard to start even thought the carbs were cleaned, rebuilt and synched last fall and when finally running has not idled well and a lot of bogging in the low to mid range.

Now with both chems in the gas, I wonder if I created my own problems this time?

I managed a 1/2 hr run about a week ago and it seemed to clear up after that, but a day or so later it was back to crap. On the advice of friend Gatekeeper I added gasline antifreeze to the mix, topped up with fresh gas and went out for 2 hours yesterday. After that it felt substantailly better but I'll have to see where it stands today.

I still think its a good idea to supplement the gas as I have been doing for years with the Seafoam a cap or two per tank does seem to keep things sweet. I just wish I knew what happened this time.

Cheers,
spyug

[Larry D]

After a winter with Seafoam in my tanks, my bikes always run like crap until that tank is empty. Usually, I'll take off for the whole day and run the tank completely empty and then put in fresh for the beginning of the season.

[sedelen]

One thing I like to do that I think is important concerning those ethanol stabilizers, Sea-Foam, Star-Tron, and Stabil.
Just putting it in the tank before storage will only treat the fuel in the tank. You need to make sure you get it mixed well and into those carbs by riding it some distance.
Otherwise you'll be sure to have problems, if you don't consider yourself lucky.
Also I would drain any stored stabil treated fuel from my tank and put fresh in it. Put the old stuff in the car, lawnmower, somewhere's else.

[greg78gs750]

yep. i start adding to every tank when it gets to "that time of year"....when you dont know if this tank will be your last.

One thing I like to do that I think is important concerning those ethanol stabilizers, Sea-Foam, Star-Tron, and Stabil.
Just putting it in the tank before storage will only treat the fuel in the tank. You need to make sure you get it mixed well and into those carbs by riding it some distance.
Otherwise you'll be sure to have problems, if you don't consider yourself lucky.
Also I would drain any stored stabil treated fuel from my tank and put fresh in it. Put the old stuff in the car, lawnmower, somewhere's else.

[limeex2]

I have been storing bikes as a sideline for my motorcycle mad money for over 15 years. No carb issues on my own or customer bikes EVER!. Put in twice recommended amount of Sta-Bil. Run it until you can smell it in the exhaust. Yes you can smell it. Now all the fuel system has been treated. Turn off fuel. Let bike continue to idle till it starts to sputter. Use choke to keep running. This allows treated fuel into the choke circuits. Bike will die. Do not skip this next step or you WILL have problems. Drain the float bowls. Even after running dry, there will still be fuel in carbs.I always like to have less than a 1/2 tank for storage. Top off with fresh fuel in the spring, and it will be fine. If you question the old remaining treated fuel, it will run fine in the lawn mower or put in a oil change pan and let it evaporate. If you are concerned about developing rust in your tank from long term storage, Fill the tank with fuel with enough room for expansion. If the tank is full, the is no oxygen in the tank. No oxygen = no rust

[tom203]

I'm OK with double dose of stabil, but this "drain the fuel bowls" stuff is risky; I like to leave stabilzed fuel in there - keeps any o-rings happy- fuel slowly evaporates over winter somewhat, but I'd hate to have my floats possibly stick in dropped position, cause then I might have to pull carbs!
I remove tank and leave it almost empty- store it someplace where there is almost no temp change (in my first floor joists)- no condensation, so no rust. Reinstall and add fresh stuff- maybe tomorrow if it hits 50 degrees!

[Octain]

You know all that stuff seems to work pretty good. I used Sea Foam originally and I think it worked pretty well, but the stuff ain't cheap, so I went to Starbrite "Star-Tron" and used that for awhile, I had allot of confidence in that. I was at a Wal-Mart and they were out of the Star-Tron but I needed something so I bought the Marine grade Sta-Bil and I like it. It seems to go further, more bang for the buck so to speak, less costly to use. So I'm going to stay with that "until I find something cheaper"

I've always used seafoam in all my stuff also. May have to give the marine grade sta-bil a shot.
Cheap(inexpensive) is good.

[limeex2]

Floats wont stick unless there as another issue which would be a problem in itself. If they stick on any type of carburated item, a gentle tap on the float bowl with the plastic end of a screw driver has always cured it for me.
The gas is so lousy nowadays i dont even trust treated fuel. Smaller amounts are more apt to evaporate and leave "green death"

[tom203]

Floats wont stick unless there as another issue which would be a problem in itself. ....

I'm a skeptic- typically a float never falls to dropped position and spends much time there. I've had a generator carb stick like this- yes, it will usually tap free, but with PIA multiple carb setup, I tend to not push my luck. I'm very sure one of my 4 cyl outboard carbs has this problem at the moment (plug keeps fouling at idle).
Yes, ethanol is nasty stuff, if "they" opt for 15%, I'm moving!