STA-BIL Question (MPBGT)

[Setec Astronomy]

I started doing some work on my car a long time ago without the expectation that it would be off the road for so long. By the time I get finished the gas will likely be 10-12 months old (9 right now).

Since I didn't expect it to work out this way I didn't put any STA-BIL in before I started, and I'm not sure what to do now...put some in now? I also have some "Start Your Engines!" but I'm not sure this is safe for an emissions-controlled engine (vs. a lawnmower or snowblower).

Any help?

[spazzz]

I let my 04 GP sit for a year with a 1/4 tank. I see you are in New Jersey so somewhat similar weather to Wisconsin.
When I put it in motion I put a can of sea foam in and filled it with the the usual BP premium. I didn't have any problems.

[FUNX650]

•I was always taught that STA-BIL will:
-keep fuels stabilized (ex: neutralize acids, prevent oxidation)
-keep fuels from going stale (up to 2 yrs.)

•On the other hand...STA-BIL will not:
-"revitalize" fuels


Bob

[david79z28]

I would start it....

If your concerned, depending on how much gas is in your tank, you could always add new gas to it.

Or, you could get a hand transfer pump, remove some gas then add fresh gas.

[MPBGT]

•I was always taught that STA-BIL will:
-keep fuels stabilized (ex: neutralize acids, prevent oxidation)
-keep fuels from going stale (up to 2 yrs.)

•On the other hand...STA-BIL will not:
-"revitalize" fuels


Bob

Bob is 100% correct. You can still add it now, it may not be as effective as it would be in fresh fuel. It will help prevent any further gum or varnish.

My recommendation would be to add Stabil now and when finish up add on fresh fuel on top and fire it up. I would not use Start Your Engines in that large of a tank.

What kind of car is it? How much fuel is in the car? Was it ethanol blended or ethanol free fuel that you put in before parking it? Is it climate controlled where you parked it? All those play into it.

[Setec Astronomy]

My recommendation would be to add Stabil now and when finish up add on fresh fuel on top and fire it up. I would not use Start Your Engines in that large of a tank.

What kind of car is it? How much fuel is in the car? Was it ethanol blended or ethanol free fuel that you put in before parking it? Is it climate controlled where you parked it? All those play into it.

It's a mid-00's GM 3.6l (prior to direct injection). We have 10% ethanol in the fuel here AFAIK. It's in an attached garage so I'd say the temp has been from 40-95F during the storage period. I really don't know how much is in the tank and because it's proximity key/push button start, I can't get live instruments unless the car is running (accessory position doesn't power the gages--I guess Lutz hadn't gotten to this one yet), so I'm not going to be able to answer that until I try to start it. I may be able to guess from the trip odo.

[Lt1xL82]

The suggestions to add Sta-Bil now and fresh fuel just before start-up (assuming the tank is not full) are right on.Don't pound on the car until the old fuel gone.

9 months storage without stabilizer is not ideal, but odds are you'll be fine.

[Setec Astronomy]

Turns out it's only been 8 months, and there's probably 14-15 gallons in the tank.

[oldmodman]

Only eight months? Just drive it until it's almost empty. But i would add a bottle of HEAT Isopropyl based water remover just in case.

If it was a whole lot older I would drain the tank.

But here is a little story.

A buddy wanted to store his Mazda MPV MiniVan in my backyard. Said it would only be a few weeks. That was in 1997. I have kept a Battery Tender on it the whole time. And I start it up every three months and let it run for over an hour.
It STILL starts and idles on that same tank of gas. Which is now 19 years old. I wouldn't do this with any car I cared about but he has obviously abandoned it. The paint is now all gone and the interior "smells funny".
Too bad. When he parked it there it looked like brand new.

So I would not be too worried about your tank of gas.

[Riff]

Only eight months? Just drive it until it's almost empty. But i would add a bottle of HEAT Isopropyl based water remover just in case.

If it was a whole lot older I would drain the tank.

But here is a little story.

A buddy wanted to store his Mazda MPV MiniVan in my backyard. Said it would only be a few weeks. That was in 1997. I have kept a Battery Tender on it the whole time. And I start it up every three months and let it run for over an hour.
It STILL starts and idles on that same tank of gas. Which is now 19 years old. I wouldn't do this with any car I cared about but he has obviously abandoned it. The paint is now all gone and the interior "smells funny".
Too bad. When he parked it there it looked like brand new.

So I would not be too worried about your tank of gas.

Lol! That's awesome.