THE PORTAL HUB - Pinzgauers, Haflingers, Volvo 303s and more!

Based on readings here about potential adverse effects of ethanol on older engine components, I have been using ethanol free gasoline in my 710k whenever possible. Recently I was able to acquire a 300 gallon storage tank for ethanol free gasoline to use in my Pinz and other small engines. But, not knowing how quickly I will use it, I feel I need to put a stabilizer in it such as Stabil or other brands. I am asking if this will negate my decision to use ethanol free gasoline and thus fooling myself that I am doing something good for my engine. Seafoam will stabilize gasoline but that gets costly to preserve 300 gallons. Thanks!!

What? 86 views and no input? Was it a stupid question?
Thanks!

I would suggest adding StaBil. 300 gallons is a sizable investment, the cost of a few bottles to endure that it will last is not much money. Find a way to stir it up after adding.

Irrespective of Ethanol free or not, fuel is highly volatile with components
with a large range of vapor pressure. Fuel will degrade through evaporation
with the higher volatiles boiling off first, then some bonding can occur creating
a gum .... So treat but rotate !! Rotate your stock so nothing is older than 9 months.
The spec's of StaBil, Lucas and others are up to 1 year. But that's probably under
ideal conditions. I'd go on the conservative side.

With running the trucks far less this year due to closures etc. I have been gradually
burning off my stores consuming in cars and the trucks. I've got less than 50 gallons
of reserves, but it's taken me 2 months to empty these Jerry's. I do need some
reserves on hand living in mud slide and earth quake territory.

Thanks! I guess my main question was whether Stabil had any negative effect on these older engine components as ethanol reportedly does. If not, Stabil is going in.

I have used Stabil for years, including gas to the Pinzgauer. All I can say is that it really works, gas will stay good for a year or more as I have experienced. I use it for chain saws and generators with great results, too.

FWIW, I've had zero issues with [top tier] gasoline stored in *sealed* jerry cans for 1-2 years. But they must be sealed. When I refill a jerry can I write on it with a Sharpie the date and type of fuel.

Like others, I advocate rotating your fuel stock. If you need extended storage, then run the carbs dry to avoid build-up of "varnish".

And the gasohol thing...I came from Iowa, a state where it was introduced pretty early, and frankly, I've not seen issues with any older engines. The only issue I have is that it's more sensitive to heat-related issues such that I see more engine flooding on my mid-80's vehicles after hot shutdown.

Jerry cans are among the best to store fuel -- good point. But the fuel will still
degrade. Phase separation can occur especially if the stored fuel is subjected
to elevated temperature. If you store in a cool place, filled to the max, you
are far better off. But after one year expect 91 Octane to drop to 87 on you
with some solids in there as a bonus.

The chart below shows a study done in S.Korea using a well sealed Steel container
as the baseline versus a number of plastic containers. They use the RON system in
SK so 93 Octane is equivalent to our 91. I have read articles where lower Octane
gas degrades faster e.g. regular, but I could not find any data to show how much faster.

...and that's why I always fill my jerry cans with premium (91) octane fuel.