fuel stabilizer recommendation

[copasspupil]

Took my stihl blower and hedger and with my soon to be sold echo trimmer in to be serviced and came away a few thundred lighter in the pocket but they run now. They all had issues with gas. I was told to use a fuel stabilizer and seafoam to each of them if storing them and stabilizer all the time. I thought that Stihl's oil had some in it and you didn't need to do that any more. How much stabilizer do you use? Do you add it to the gallon jug I'm assuming. What kind of stabilizer is best. Is there difference between stabililzers that state a 2/4 cycle motor to a car's one I have in the garage that I use for the boat etc...?

 

[D'Animal]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/workshop-home-improvement/252396-storing-acahin-saw.html

 

[copasspupil]

So Dan do I use sta-bil or something else?

 

[D'Animal]

Fuel stabilizer does nothing other than keep the fuel from varnishing.

The additives in the fuel still attack the rubber components of the fuel system if fuel is left in the unit. it does not matter if Sta Bil is used or any other fuel stabilizer.

I would use the mix oil with fuel stabilizer in it, just like you have been doing, but just run the unit dry when you are done using it. That is what I personally do with all of my equipment.

The residue of fuel left behind will not turn to varnish and there is not enough of it to cause any damage to the rubber components.

 

[PAToyota]

I would use the mix oil with fuel stabilizer in it, just like you have been doing, but just run the unit dry when you are done using it. That is what I personally do with all of my equipment.

Yep, that is what I always do. Mix in Sta-Bil and then run it dry.

 

[fsusteve]

I usually run my stuff dry but for whatever reason I left some fuel in my Stihl weedwhacker this winter, we have ethanol based fuel here. The alcohol in the fuel completely ate the two diaphrams in the carb, I'm waiting on replacements now. Definitely drain the fuel.

 

[Johnnymiz]

every time i fill my gas can i put sta-bil in it. what's the downside?..nothing. never know how long that gas is gonna sit.
drain the tool, run it dry. they start every year

 

[ravewoofer]

every time i fill my gas can i put sta-bil in it. what's the downside?..nothing. never know how long that gas is gonna sit.
drain the tool, run it dry. they start every year

I do this with my snow blower every year, and in the new season, it always starts on the first pull........However, I have a chain saw that hasn't been run in a few years and may or may not have had stabilzer in the tank as a friend had used it last.

I was a little worried about a ruined engine, until I used it this weekend. The puppy started after 3 pulls and half choke. I did about 10 minutes of cutting and put it away again. Who knows how it'll work in 2012 or 2013?

 

[75pinz]

question

Why would the gas eat the diaphragm? Seriously, it's not like you don't leave gas in your car every day. Obviously fuel pumps fail, etc but what's different about the rubber in a small engine? I really don't take care of my s*** at all with this fuel stabilizer and my father in law does but he has problems all the time. I have the same gas I put in the weedwhacker in 2001 when I bought it and just used it again last night for about 90 seconds and then put it away until I have waist tall grass to weedeat. Why do some people have so many issues with small engines and some, like me, are lucky? Not trying to be an a-hole here. My father inlaw chews my ass almost every time he's over as I never use Stabil or Seafoam. I really just don't use it now b/c he wants me to.

 

[D'Animal]

Different fuel additives in the fuel in different parts of the country is the basic answer.

I have no idea why your father in laws equipment hates him.

 

[nickdj101]

I don't want to start any arguments here but I always use Seafoam in my gas cans for my mowers and snow blower. They are all 4 cycle engines. I've used Seafoam for Years with no problems. I've never drained the gas out of my mowers(1 old Murray rider and 2 push) or snow blower either. I shut the gas off and put them away when their season is over and bring out the next season's equipment. I've heard pros and cons both ways about draining the gas or not. I've never had a problem leaving the gas in them. They usually start on the first or second pull too.