Stabil, Startron, Seafoam.......

Greenfrog · Mar 29, 2019

Repeat post from couple years ago, but new products,research, and time has gone by....
Any discussion on these gas stabilizers?
A couple of lawn mower shops and implement dealer sent me bad vibes on Stabil.
Some say Startron is longer lasting.
Seafoam is a stabilizer, I guess?
Any input here?
We all have cans of gas sitting around, going stale, that we add this stuff to.
Have you ever counted us how many small engines you have?.

Russ from MN · Mar 29, 2019

I have only used stabil once, and I had problems with that generator afterwards, had to clean the carburetor, so I will never use it again. I use Sea-foam as needed, as soon as I suspect anything but perfect performance. We probably have 20 small gas engines, half 2-stroke,half 4 stroke, and don't have any trouble with any of them. As far as gas going bad I don't see that, and I use E-10 in all 4 stroke engines. I try to use gas within 6 months of purchase, and never leave a can sit out in the sun!

Mike M · Mar 29, 2019

Don't forget about Schaffer's fuel neutral stabilizer. I've heard good things about it too.

4wdtom · Mar 29, 2019

A couple of small engine shops near me use Startron and that's what I have been using.

DeltaRed · Mar 29, 2019

I use AV gas in my small engines/ATV.Never goes bad,it doesn't have all the additive crap regular gas does.Never had a problem,even when stored for extended periods.Thy start next spring like they were yesterday.Yes,it cost more,but you really don't use enough to matter. I feel the extra cost is worth it.The machines just start and run better too.I buy it at my local bulk plant/fuel supplier.

D beatty · Mar 29, 2019

I have used all three products. Not a fan of Stabil. Gasoline in engines smelt old in the spring after setting all winter. I went to Briggs & Stratton stabilizer around 10 years ago after having problems with a carb on garden tractor and primer bulbs on Echo chainsaw. The Stratton combats the effects of the E10 ethanol gasoline. I have mixed a 2 gallon can of Stratton and ethanol gasoline and let it set for over 2 1/2 years and gas didn't smell old and ran fine through garden tractor. I use Stratton in every thing that gets very little use or sets over winter. I used to use Seafoam before I went Stratton. I used it in first tank of gas in spring and had a truck that I used it in oil every oil change.

Dave H (MI) · Mar 29, 2019

No preference on products. How many small engines do I have? Interesting.....

At house I have the big track driven snow blower, the smaller snow thrower, a Lowes push mower, an Echo trimmer, two salvage engines on a shelf from mowers that rusted out. That makes six there.

In barn I have the ZTR and the 4 wheeler, chain saw, pole saw, push mower, cord trimmer, two gas compressors. That is all I can think of. So 8 there. 14 total small engines.

Not going to go into the tractors and combine and swather and the trucks...always something needs work and guess who gets to do it all.

ztrmowers · Mar 29, 2019

i have it all here in my dealership, can not really tell if helped or not. I still to this day run gasohol in everything fill tank in winter shut fuel valve off unhook battery after putting units in shed. they have yet to not start up in the spring or whenever I try to start this is even on a old tiller back in the 70 era. I do not recommend any of them to my customers BUT if they are a believe in one then so be it. that just sales in my pocket. shop is closing this year when everything gets sold out.

rustyfarmall · Mar 29, 2019

I have never used any of that stuff. Never had any problems either. Gasoline sometimes sets in storage cans for up to one year.

johnlobb · Mar 29, 2019

I have had good results from Seafoam, both in the fuel tank and in the crankcase. As far as gas additives, before I bought ethanol free 89 octane gas, I used Ethanol Shield. Worked well, but what I like even better, made by the same company is Mechanic In A Bottle. It's great for cleaning gunk out of carbs! Almost a miracle product. I usually get it at Menards. I don't use it as much since I switched to the ethanol free gas, which I use in all my small engines...

sixbales · Mar 29, 2019

If you know that you are going to leave an engine sit idle for a long period (for example, a tiller that's used once per year, or a gas powered generator, or a one man post hole digger, etc.), it is best to drain the gas out of them and run the engine till it runs out of gas BEFORE putting them away. I have complete success with this approach.

Super H Mike · Mar 29, 2019

I have lost faith in Stabil, local small engine guys around here swear by Startron so I have been using that now and no problems so far, but time will tell . Only been maybe 2 years so far with the Startron. I personally wouldn't use Sea Foam in the fuel tank, just me.

Welding man · Mar 29, 2019

Startron hands down. The others aren't even close. They make one for gas and one for diesel. I buy it by the case. My customers love it.

PJH · Mar 29, 2019

Stabil ended my fuel problems around here. When something works good for me, I don't make changes. I don't use it in my road vehicles, but every other gallon of gasoline that I buy gets the prescribed amount of Stabil added to it, even if I'm gonna burn it that same day.

I see that others have had different results than I have had. Gotta go with what works for you.

INCase · Mar 29, 2019

AMSOIL fuel stabilizer and their "Quickshot" for things that have gotten a bit gummy and need some help. Quickshot is also good for keeping the ethanol from wrecking gas.

Dan67 · Mar 29, 2019

I vote for Star-ton

Bret4207 · Mar 30, 2019

I haven't heard that Star-tron is a stabilizer. I thought it was just something that combated the ethanol issues in ethanol gas mixes. I've used Seafoam a little and it helps in carbs that are a little gunky, but nothing cuts the built up crap they get sometimes. Sta-bil I gave up on completely after trying it a few times. Just horrible results in some generator engines.

How many small engines here? Lets see, 30 some chainsaws, 7 or 8 trimmers, 6 or 8 lawn/garden tractors, snowblower, pumps, log splitter, generators....uh, a bunch?

Stabil, Startron, Seafoam.......

Greenfrog

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Russ from MN

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Mike M

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4wdtom

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DeltaRed

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D beatty

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Dave H (MI)

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ztrmowers

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rustyfarmall

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johnlobb

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sixbales

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Super H Mike

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Welding man

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PJH

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INCase

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Dan67

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Bret4207

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