Hey guys I bought a new merc outboard and they told me it was important to run a fuel stabilizer to help protect the injectors?
I also got a little gas leaf blower that the manual says to run a fuel conditioner.
Are conditioners and stabilizers the same thing?
Any recommendations other than the dealer stuff?
The merc stuff locally is ridiculously expensive.

 

Sta-Bil

Good stuff

Reason for the stabilisers in your gas, is to prevent gumming / varnish in the fuel when it sits. Newer fuels seem more prone to this problem than the older fuels did.

Last thing you want to deal with on your merc, is injectors that are all varnished up. You think stabiliser is expensive???

Also, Seafoam motor treatment works well, to help clean up dirty fuel systems. It works... Period.

 

I learned the hard way many years ago about not running a fuel stabilizer. I use Stabil since then. Also there is a new formula for use with ethanol blended fuels.

MikeyB

 

I have done a lot of repairs from those using stabilizers , too often , too much ect.
Seafoam seems to be the most common around here , too much absolves fuel hose & other rubber , like seals ect.
I have found just the opposite , newer fuels being less of an issue ,
The main issue is leaving fuel in what ever for extended time , half the yr. that your not using , snowmobiles over summer , lawn more over winter .
Most of the additives say in the instructions to mix a specific % of add. to fuel , then run for long enough to go through carb - other components , so that the next season is an easy start .
I think most of what is being said by dealers , is because of lack of proper storage / maintainance , do not leave outside , always fill tank after use [ air space in tank , makes for condensation & oxidation ] .

 

Yeah John I think the I remember the dealer mentioning something about water in the fuel being really bad?
I have seen both Sta-Bil and Seafoam locally so thats good news.
So I guess the conditioners and the stabilizers are the same thing?
Would be nice if I can just buy one type for all my gas engines.

 

Personally, I have always run the merc fuel stabilizer. Just make sure you buy the concentrate. It may be a little more spendy, but if you are putting the boat up for a while, it's not too spendy, compared to injectors.

I hate to conceded, but with work and family, until recently, I have had to let the boat sit with nearly a full tank of fuel. Treated w/ stabilizer of course. Never had a fuel related issue!

Tony

 

I've been using Sea foam for a few years now in small equipment (as a cleaner at the start of the season) and had great results so far. I also run a batch of it through my truck just before I change the fuel filters and usually notice better fuel pressure during the last part of that tank full.

Used sparingly, I think it's a good product.

Randy.

 

I used Stabil one year and had to replace are the fuel hose the next year(dissolved out). The small engine repairman I know won't use Stabil, he prefers the Brigg and Straton made fuel stabilizer. He won't use Sta-Bil.