Oil & Fuel Stabil in gas mix

[Deadman]

I don't see why there should be condensation, unless the storage conditions are not favorable. I've never had condensation issues, and I always keep my tanks near empty when storing, because I don't want to run my stuff on rotted-down low octane fuel. Even if it does have stabil in it, it still loses some of the octane. I dump the old fuel in spring, before I run the equipment, and no way do I put it in any car or truck. that old fuel could contaminate the O2 sensors.

 

[captaincrab55]

I have heard that high octane 93 octane gas is the best for power tools.

Just Saturday. I ask a Certified Boat Motor Mechanic about using 93 octane gas in my boat motor that has less then 50 hours of use... His answer was, "Only use the octane recommended by the OEM and 93 octane used in a vented tank causes more water"... He did give me the name of a product that will allow the water to pass with the gas...

 

[whistlepig]

Deadman and others that have replied, I really appreciate your ideas. I have been leaving the tank full of gas and Stabil mix as I have always understood that is the best way to prevent the tank from internal rusting- is this accurate or not? I did run out and get some Seafoam since my last post but it will be late August before I am going to be at the tractor since it is 160 miles from my home.

Oldstuff

The storing of gas with Stabil is a hassle. I only do it for my home backup generator. I treat 20 gallons for a year and at the end of that year all this gas gets dumped in the trucks. What's in the generator is completely drained to the last drop. I even drain the carb on the generator. Then I buy fresh gas and treat it with fresh Stabil. Good to go for another year.

 

[bigdad]

I knew this would be interesting!

 

[Skyco]

"Only use the octane recommended by the OEM and 93 octane used in a vented tank causes more water"....

I'd like to see the reasoning behind that one:laughing:

 

[captaincrab55]

Quote:
Originally Posted by captaincrab55 View Post
"Only use the octane recommended by the OEM and 93 octane used in a vented tank causes more water"....
===========================================================

I'd like to see the reasoning behind that one:laughing:

Not sure what was so funny, but in Maryland they put 10% Ethanol in gas...

 

[Oldstuff]

Deadman- All my life I have been warned of condensation in a gas tank, while I can't prove it I assume it is becasue as the metal warms up the condensation forms. Anytime metal changes from cold to hot in a somewhat short time period the condensation forms. As an example, I have been on many hunts where I have came into a warm tent or camper with a cold rifle and condensation will form rapidly on the metal parts of the rifle. I assume that in the case of the gas tank that the tractor has sat overnight and the metal has had 8 or so hours to cool from the previous day- then the sun rises and heats the metal up in a shorter time period and some condensation forms. Plus, some gas may have a small amount of moisture in it when you buy it.
Now, my tractor is stored in a metal building so I would think this would reduce the amount of moisture and I have been using Heet for that purpose. But my original question was about gas degrading and how to prevent that degradation. I think all of everyones ideas sound good, I will probably call Stabil and see what they think about increasing their recommended ratio of gas to Stabil. I will post back with their comments.

Thanks- Oldstuff

 

[shinnlinger]

The problem is the virtually all gas these days, 93 octane included is now 10% ethanol and that absorbs moisture and that creates problems. If you can get Av gas, that would be a solution.

Additives can help, but shutting off the petcock and running the motor dry is probably not a terrible idea. That said, I wonder if your sticking float is more of a fluke, one time old tractor thing than anything else

I have heard the active ingredient in stabilizers is xylene and some claim a mix of 2 oz xylene(stabilizer), 2 oz beauty shop acetone (not hardware stuff, for atomization) and 2 oz of synthetic motor oil (for lubrication) is very good for both gas a diesel engines. I have used this in my diesels to replace the sulphur and seen some performance and efficiency gains.

 

[Deadman]

ya, I forget you guys store things in non-insulated buildings. Living in Wisconsin, everything gets heavily insulated, and I assume everyones stuff is. In a metal shed, i'm sure condensation could happen, because temps change so much.

 

[Ordite]

Oldstuff,

I have a 1965 International 504. I don't always use it on a frequent basis. It too has a sticky needle valve. It usually starts quickly but will run for a couple minutes and then stop. I have learned that a couple raps on the side of the carburetor before startup takes care of this problem. I don't use any gasoline additives and seem to get by okay even when a couple months go by between startups.