www.iFourWinns.com

I've always been a big fan of Sta-Bil. I use it in everything I own that uses gas (except the cars), in fact I don't even wait until winterizing to add it in the boat; I add it every time I buy boat gas.

Lately, I've been reading a lot of praise about Sea Foam. I don't want this to turn into a "which oil is best" type thread, but has anyone taken the time to really read up on the differences between the two in terms of fuel stabilization? Ethanol treatment? I'm only asking in terms of fuel treatment, not the use of Sea Foam as an oil treatment.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I'm curious too.
I've always used sta-bil. Had a guy on another forum talk about problems he's had with it. This year I used the Sea Foam and it worked just fine. Actually, my boat fired up the first time just like it had been ran last week.
Chances are, this is another Ford/Chevy debate. It would be nice however to get some data as to what % of chemicals are included in each that produce certain benefits.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

+1
Good topic Mike !

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2007 200 Horizon- 4.3GXi/SX 225hp
2007 Tahoe LT

You could probably add Star Brite Star Tron to the discussion if you want to cover all the bases. I have all three in my dock locker. I use Sta-Bil Marine after every fill up for my boat and jet ski and have never had a problem. I added Sea Foam along with Sta-Bil to the gas for my Honda EU-2000 generator in the hope that the extra additives would keep the carberator from gumming up during long storage periods. It did not work. Even though I drain the carb after every use it still would not start when I tried it a couple of weeks ago. I will have to disassemble and clean the carberator again.

I have never used the Star Tron. I bought it right after all the ethanol problems started being reported, but did not have the impetus to try it since Sta-Bil has worked so well.

Maybe I can try the Star Tron in the Honda

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Martin
04 268 Vista - Knot Again
08 Boston Whaler 130 Sport - Double Good
Previous Boat:
97 278 Vista - Buoy Howdy

I never add anything to fuel ! It's virtually unheard of in the UK. Our smallest lawnmower, dating from 1990 with a Briggs & Sratton 4 stroke engine fired up first pull of the cord (again) this year, despite the fuel being in the tank since last September. We just can't seem to kill it, despite it being abused horribly over the years! Admittedly, after each use it's run with the fuel valve off / run until it stalls, so the carb is always empty when it's not being used. So, nothing to gum up the jets etc.

Graham

Graham - I believe that you don't have ethanol in your fuel in the UK. Consider yourself very lucky. All these additives are to combat the harmful effects of ethanol.

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Martin
04 268 Vista - Knot Again
08 Boston Whaler 130 Sport - Double Good
Previous Boat:
97 278 Vista - Buoy Howdy

I use and have used Stabil for many years without issues on the last two fill-ups before winterizing, and in the yard equipment before end of season. I've had a bad 5 gal jug of gas before.... no fun at all!

Last year I also started using a Lucas Oil additive as a FI/carb cleaner. Typically, I will run this through with the first and last fill-up of the season in the boat, and every oil change in the car.

These products are chosen mainly because I can get large enough containers to treat relatively large quantities of fuel (up to 100 gal) inexpensively, and the container is translucent (you can see the level), so I know when I'm getting low.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

One thing I do like about Sta-Bil is the built-in measuring device. If one were to switch to Sea Foam and didn't use whole containers at a time, it seems like it would be a hassle; no easy way to measure the amount being used, or the amount still remaining in the container.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Martin,

I think you're right ( at the moment!). Something for us to look forward to when the oil companies realise they can dilute the oil based part of road uel and still charge us the same. The Government, whoever gets into power next month, won't care, as long as they get their tax to squander an anything but the road system .

Graham

I've used Stabil for years in yard equipment and the boat and the the only time I've had a problem is if I let something sit longer than 6-8 months...one time I didn't use the pressure washer for a year and it didn't want to start and I had to clean out the carb. I now have a habit of starting everything up at least every 6 months or so to keep gas in the carb from evaporating which seems to be the thing that causes the problems...Stabil can only do so much and the ethanol gas just does not keep for as long as straight gas did. But for storing things for 6 months or so it works fine...

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Sorry for the hijack but. I am having problems with my EU2000 too I suspect gummed up carb. How easy is it to disassemble and clean?

I ran Stabil through it as well. I wonder if it is becuase they are so efficient that not much Stabil actually makes it through the system.

Other than that I have used Stabil without a problem. Stabil also now makes a marine version. Which is supposed to combat the ethanol problems.

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2008 Horizon 260 VP 8.1 Gi

I have never used either product. I don't even think you can get Seafoam here in Canada.

I usually just run things low in the late season and fill up with premium fuel at the beginning of the season. Never had any serious fuel related issues except when I left the pushmower under the eaves and I accumulated water in the fuel bowl through the gas tank vent and the carburetor froze and split.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

I was unfortunately mistaken; the regulations here already allow the use of up to 5% Bioethanol in petrol.

Graham

I learned how to disassemble the carb with Hurricane Ike on our door step and about 12 hours from landfall. It is actually pretty straightforward. As a recall you remove the carb, remove the float bowl, slide out the pin which holds the float and that gives you access to the main jet. Mine was completely varnished shut and no amount of carb cleaner would clean it. I ended up removing the jet and having to tap it with a wire brad to break the varnish. I started the generator during the height of the storm (outside) and it ran 24/7 for nine straght days, stopping only for fuel and oil changes. A really amazing machine.

OK - back on topic: I don't think the Sta-Bil will eliminate the varnishing. I always drain the carb; there is a screw at the bottom of the float bowl, and try to start it periodically. I think Sea Foam, and I suppose Sta-Bil will clean up a certain amount of varnish. Of course ethanol is a pretty good solvent in it's own right so who knows.

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Martin
04 268 Vista - Knot Again
08 Boston Whaler 130 Sport - Double Good
Previous Boat:
97 278 Vista - Buoy Howdy

I use star tron in my boat and haven't had a problem thus far. Are you guys using the marine grade stabil or the regular stuff? I use stabil in my lawn tractor and yard equip. I was thinking of try sea foam as well so i am glad this topic came up.



I agree with that the little measuring device is great

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2006 Horizon 180 3.0 Volvo SOLD
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee