ethanol/ stable/ sea foam

Winkfish · May 14, 2011

I use Stabil and Sea Foam in my tank and have not had any problems, knock on wood.

Maine Sail · May 14, 2011

Don't even get me going!!!!! :cussing::cussing::cussing::cussing::cussing::cussing::cussing::cussing::cussing:

I just spent two hours cleaning and re-building the carb on our Honda lawn mower and have had to do it every year since we got E-10 and NEVER did it in the previous 7 years prior. It had Stabil in it. Spent yesterday evening cleaning the carb on the weed whacker, same thing. Last summer ethanol took out my OB motor carb too and in the fall the snowblower. All devices used stabilizers and I run the carbs dry. This ethanol treated gas is BAD STUFF.

I last filled the OB tank in November and used Stabil Marine Formula and Amsoil 100:1 Sabre 2 cycle oil. The gas is complete rubbish this spring and the motor is smoking like a brush fire. Drained the gas into a spare can and re-filled with fresh gas and same mix of Sabre oil and no more smoke.

Ethanol in gas might be the DUMBEST invention since the square wheel.

Can't wait to see what happens when we get E-15...

P.S. Our generator for the house had the same non-ethanol gas in it with Stabil for EIGHT years and it purred like a kitten whenever I ran it or needed it. Finally ran out of good gas and had to put in E-10 with added Stabil. The next time I started it it died within 5 minutes. Carb was a mess and had been fine for the previous 17 years!!!! This stuff is NOT a coincidence ethanol gas SUCKS!!!!!!

RAD · May 14, 2011

Maine Sail said:
Don't even get me going!!!!! :cussing::cussing::cussing::cussing::cussing::cussing::cussing::cussing::cussing:

I just spent two hours cleaning and re-building the carb on our Honda lawn mower and have had to do it every year since we got E-10 and NEVER did it in the previous 7 years prior. It had Stabil in it. Spent yesterday evening cleaning the carb on the weed whacker, same thing. Last summer ethanol took out my OB motor carb too and in the fall the snowblower. All devices used stabilizers and I run the carbs dry. This ethanol treated gas is BAD STUFF.

I last filled the OB tank in November and used Stabil Marine Formula and Amsoil 100:1 Sabre 2 cycle oil. The gas is complete rubbish this spring and the motor is smoking like a brush fire. Drained the gas into a spare can and re-filled with fresh gas and same mix of Sabre oil and no more smoke.

Ethanol in gas might be the DUMBEST invention since the square wheel.Can't wait to see what happens when we get E-15...

P.S. Our generator for the house had the same non-ethanol gas in it with Stabil for EIGHT years and it purred like a kitten whenever I ran it or needed it. Finally ran out of good gas and had to put in E-10 with added Stabil. The next time I started it it died within 5 minutes. Carb was a mess and had been fine for the previous 17 years!!!! This stuff is NOT a coincidence ethanol gas SUCKS!!!!!!

Thanks MS......now ya got me going, can't wait to break out my new Nissan OB and try to get it started....OBTW I have 2 count them 2 other OB's that have the same problems and the snow blower,generators,leaf vac,etc...............just had 3 chain saws redone by a friend who went into a very lucrative business fixing this stuff and I rather give him the money than get aggravated

RAD · May 14, 2011

I wonder if you could put jet fuel in these?????

Charlie13958 · May 14, 2011

Some premium fuels do not have ethanol, also none in aviation gas. If you don't use a lot, might be a solution.

seadaddler · May 14, 2011

Clean Carb

I had the same problem with my 8hp 2 stroke starting it and keeping it running and got so bad would not start but my fault did not put any stablixer or run it dry.
I was ready to bring it to the shop but I got to thinking and decided to remove the carb and take it all apart and cleaned all the jet with very thin wire in the little holes which I could see some goop around the jet holes.
Hard to believe first time I ever took carb on outboard apart and great thing starts every time first pull and now use gas at my Marina has no E-10 and running great.
Nick

kenn · May 14, 2011

Re: Clean Carb

Up here, Shell's premium gas is ethanol-free. That's all I use on our small engines (small generator, 2-stroke outboard). This year, more for the practice than necessity, I've taken the outboard's carb off and opened the bowl... and other than some small traces of 2-stroke oil, it's clean as the proverbial whistle.

Based on that, and these continuing horror stories, I won't be switching anytime soon.

I'm as tree-hugging as the next hippie, but unless ethanol is made from organic waste instead of feedgrain, it's not a very "green" idea anyway as a vehicle fuel.

RAD · May 14, 2011

Charlie13958 said:
Some premium fuels do not have ethanol, also none in aviation gas. If you don't use a lot, might be a solution.

Thats what I wanted to say rather than jet fuel and 10 gallons would go a long way with all the small engines around my home and business

DJN51 · May 14, 2011

Am in the process of having my carb replaced on my 2001 Yamaha 4 stroke.$550.00.Have always used Stabil to no help.Mechanic says yamaha ,s advice is to add 1 oz 2 stroke oil to every gallon,Says it seems to help.Hope to get it back next week,but with the weather this year not in a hurry.Also said to run engine dry after use by attaching open fuel connector to gas intake as just removing fuel line will not get all fuel out of lines.

Rob2435 · May 15, 2011

I had the same problem with my Nissan 9.8 four stroke. Took the carb out and sprayed it down with carb cleaner, new gas with stabil and it ran fine all year. I haven't had the chance to try it yet this year and I am hoping the cleaning will last another year.

One thing with E-10, never ever use old gas, ethanol attracts moisture which of course is not good. I like the oil idea as it may create a barrier between the E-10 and any moisture...I might try this one.

Sailm8 · May 15, 2011

I got rid of a brand new <10 hours Honda 4 stroke bacause of this problem. It had to be cleaned before every use despite running dry and using stabil. Actually bought a spare carb and kept it soaking in cleaner. Changed it out every time I was going to use the motor. Got tired of this and bought an old used Nissan 2 stroke that starts every time. Also found a source for ethanol free gas.

A neighbor with the same Honda had the jets drilled out and has had success.

RAD · May 15, 2011

Sailm8 said:
Also found a source for ethanol free gas.quote]

Where do you find this??

Capn Dave · May 15, 2011

Startron makes a fuel additive that takes care ethanol and other fuel related problems.
I have been using it for over 2 years and so far no problems. Read about it here http://mystarbrite.com/startron//content/blogcategory/18/201/lang,en/

Fair Winds

Dave

RAD · May 15, 2011

Something interesting

http://www.fuel-testers.com/marine_boat_ethanol_problems.html

http://www.fuel-testers.com/is_gas_additive_safe_with_e10_list.html

A must read

http://www.fuel-testers.com/marine_additive_gas_treatment.html

flynfol · May 15, 2011

Av Gas has good long term storage characteristics, but be advised that its aromatics can attack rubber fuel lines and some float components.

Cpt. Jon · May 15, 2011

Like everyone else, I'm extremely frustrated with the ethanol problems! Startron and the blue stabil help, but don't solve the problems. I'm a real pro at tearing carbs apart, and it seems this year I'll be doing fuel lines in my center console motor boat. I now try to disconnect the fuel line and run the gas out of he boat, try to run the lawnmower, weed eater, generator, chain saw, rototiller, power washer, etc dry. Phase separation is a complete mess and I don't know why we are voting to keep the morons in office that are being bought out by the ethanol lobby! I try to run everything weekly or biweekly, which looks pretty funny when people see me running everything with a gas engine at once.

Last week, I was trying to get my motor boat started and it wouldn't go. I hooked up a external fuel tank, no go. Tore apart the carbs, no go. Replaced the fuel pump, no go. Checked the fuel line on my external fuel line (which was in the shed since fall), it was all crystalized in the fuel line. I guess I forgot to drain it before putting it away for the season. Engine runs now, but I probably get to do the carbs again... What a f'd up situation with this ethanol. My rant fails to discuss my position on using our food and feed sources to create ethanol and drive the cost of everything up...it sure doesn't seem to help at the pump, and the repair costs and time spent doing the repairs or money spent on startron or stabil quickly offsets any cost saving for me.

I am one pissed off member of the American consumer public!

Edited for spelling errors or false spelling corrections made by the iPad. Hope I got em all.

RAD · May 15, 2011

I just found out that AV gas burns real hot and will wipe out valves and I'm sure other stuff......in my searches I found out that the easiest way besides the correct additive is to have a friend bring me some ethanol free fuel back from NC cause he travels there every week

Slade · May 15, 2011

If you are ever in or around farm country check out the coops and small gas stations. Around here there are a few stations that offer non-oxygenated fuel for small motors, outboards, snowmobiles, etc. Right from the pump 91 octane. After sitting all winter(loonng winter) the ole Tohatsu started on the second pull. Also, make sure your plugs are all gapped correctly..sure you already knew that though.
I carry empty fuel containers with me to fill up on the good stuff whenever I find it...no telling how long it will be available these days.

Cpt. Jon · May 15, 2011

I'm looking out the window at the neighbor working on his motor, that's just about everyone with an outboard around that I've seen working on solving their ethanol issues this spring. This guy regularly takes his boat in for tune ups and stuff too... After googling a little there are some sites that point out ethanol free gas, but most are quite a drive from here, but I might just make the drive anyway... How do I get rid of my old gas I don't want to run in my motors?