MTFCA Forum

This question is not specific to the Model T but does anyone know if partial bottles of Stabil are good for a prolonged period of time ? I suppose there are others who find they have left over product from the previous year's winterizing. In the spirit of Henry Ford's frugality, do I use it or toss it?

DanTreace wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 19, 2020 12:26 pm

Label says good for 2 years after opening, depending on how you store it, could last longer.

I never worry about it, if older container, I just add a shot of MMO to the elixir. Like the Marvel, it makes the T engine nice smelling and helps the valves and guides too anyway

I do the same thing Dan!

It gets pre-mixed in with non-ethanol everytime I go fill up the safety cans.

That is a picture of an unopened bottle that I had when this question was asked earlier. It has since been opened and the top line filled in with the date. One of those neat little things that they put on the label. I am also the guy that writes the date of purchase on manuals and I use the "NOTES" page in the back of the manual, and God help me I keep the box for almost everything. It is a weird type of sickness

When in doubt read the instructions!

GEEZ! Now I need Stabil to keep my Stabil stable.

As long as the color does not fade it's OK. If it starts to fade to a lighter pink dump it.

I suspect the "2 years from opened" is a conservative number and that the actual life is much longer. Obviously the key is to keep the cap tightly closed. According to my friend who owns a marine service, the claim that Stabil will only keep gas fresh for 2 years is conservative too. He's had some boats that have sat at least twice that long where the fuel was still usable. That said, if you think you're going to park your T for a lengthy time, drain the fuel from it. You'll save yourself or the next guy a lot of trouble.

What, read the instructions??!!! naaaa.... Thanks everybody.

Actually it lasts forever. Because it doesn’t do a damn thing. Just ask the 6 or 8 small engine manufacturers that I’ve taken courses with over the years. Some will even void a warranty if it’s found in the tank. Want your engine (whatever it is) to start after a layover? Drain the tank and run it dry. That is run it until it quits. You simply cannot preserve fuel. It does not work. 90 days is the universal number that every one of the aforementioned manufacturers states is the limit for “fresh fuel”. Yeah I know. You’ve had stable in your snow blower for 5 years and it started right up. Just like the reporter Scotty said to Dr. Carrington the The Thing From Another World: “ You’re stuffed full of blueberry muffins”.

Charlie B in N.J. wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:18 pm

Actually it lasts forever. Because it doesn’t do a damn thing. Just ask the 6 or 8 small engine manufacturers that I’ve taken courses with over the years. Some will even void a warranty if it’s found in the tank. Want your engine (whatever it is) to start after a layover? Drain the tank and run it dry. That is run it until it quits. You simply cannot preserve fuel. It does not work. 90 days is the universal number that every one of the aforementioned manufacturers states is the limit for “fresh fuel”. Yeah I know. You’ve had stable in your snow blower for 5 years and it started right up. Just like the reporter Scotty said to Dr. Carrington the The Thing From Another World: “ You’re stuffed full of blueberry muffins”.

It only keeps fuel fresh up to 24 months, not 5 years.

The only fuel that is regulated out there is Aviation fuel, years ago some one told me of using it, the other crap settles, if it is vented it does evaporate, I would rather have that than shellac in my tank come spring. Have used it for many years and come spring time lawn mowers fire right up and in winter snow blower and snow mobiles, chain saw fire up also. You can go to any airport with a can and purchase it or drain some out of your plane.

Sorry Charlie but I will vehemently disagree that it doesn't work.
Once again here's my story about my 1994 Thunderbird, that I have never driven in the winter, which of course is
why it's in mint condition. No road salt on this baby! Anyway, for years I never used StaBil in it for winter layup. Hence,
virtually EVERY spring, the "check engine" light would come on, even after diligently "running it" in the garage two or three
times (with garage door open of course!) through the winter to "exercise" it. The engine would run rough as crap, I would have to "beat the crap" out of it for a few miles holding it in 2nd. gear so as to run up the RPMs, then after about 40 miles of this off and on, it would finally clear up. One year I decided to try StaBil for fall layup. Put it in the tank, topped off the tank to mix it in, drove 10 miles to make
sure it was in the fuel rail and injectors, and EVER SINCE THEN NO PROBLEMS. So StaBil DOES WORK. End of story.

You have or had another other problem and stabil sure as heck didn’t fix it. So your story might not be over.

Some info FROM STA-BIL® http://www.ntractorclub.com/forums/safe ... s/574.html
The main ingredient is petroleum distillates (mineral spirits) about 95%.
STA-BIL® Fuel Stabilizer will keep fuel fresh for up to 12 months, guaranteed......
The best way to protect your fuel system from Ethanol blended fuels related issues year-round (not just during storage), we recommend using new STA-BIL Ethanol Treatment.

Joe Bell wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 19, 2020 11:19 pm

The only fuel that is regulated out there is Aviation fuel, years ago some one told me of using it, the other crap settles, if it is vented it does evaporate, I would rather have that than shellac in my tank come spring. Have used it for many years and come spring time lawn mowers fire right up and in winter snow blower and snow mobiles, chain saw fire up also. You can go to any airport with a can and purchase it or drain some out of your plane.

I assume by Aviation Fuel you mean AVGAS (Jet Fuel being a blend of kerosene). Here is some info that will cause a stir in the debate and may cause some to drive to the local airport for a fill-up. https://www.mcico.com/jet-fuel-vs-gasoline
"Aviation gas still contains tetra-ethyl lead additives to lubricate the engine. Lead was taken out of automotive gas in 1986. Avgas still contains lead because a suitable alternative hasn’t been found yet, despite years of testing. Using leaded avgas in a modern car would ruin components such as the catalytic converter." Good for a Model T Ford but not for a Model T Tesla

Frank, while I respect Charlie's opinion, I will always agree with you about the benefit of StaBil.
Since I never had to take the T-bird to the shop before or after the intro to StaBil there was no way it was "another problem" other than fuel in the fuel rail and/or injection system going bad. Add to that, I had converted other people over with similar results. Guess this can be added to the "what kind of oil" controversy!!

So adding mineral spirits will keep gas fresh for 12 months? You’ve got to be kidding. It’s telling you it’s snake oil !!! Know what? It’s your dough do what you want with it.

There is always a "best solution" to a specific condition. Draining the gas out of a Model T and using it your daily driver (not Avgas) seams like a simple task and counters many issues to the use of ethanol gas and saves the cost of purchasing Sta-bil. On the other hand draining the fuel (tank & all) of a T-Bird seams a bit impractical and a Sta-bil solution would be an obvious solution.
As far as oil & fuel additives voiding a manufacture's or car dealer's warranty - Doubtful.
It may be a first response to get the purchaser to drop a complaint but the law requires proof and a sequence of tests to prove such. It is doubtful that any car manufacture or used car dealer would ever choose the expense of doing that. So it all boils down to what the purchaser accepts as the resolution to their problem. Negative information always carries further than positive outcomes. Just listen to the latest News. Its not really "news" is "hindsight"

Given my choice, I much prefer the Marine Stabil (Blue) over the original Stabil (Red). Seems to better job preventing phase separation in oxygenated fuels if you have to use them or opt to use them. I use oxygenated fuel in my Model T because it doesn't sit in there all that long. I always add an ounce or two of Marine Stabil to it just in case I don't drive it enough. When the driving season is over (for me about mid-October), I use that gas in the four wheeler and snow blower. Never had a fuel issue. I try not to let fuel sit in any tank very long. If its not getting used up regularly, I'll drain it out and use it up in my vehicle or power equipment. That goes for any fuel; oxygenated or non-oxygenated.

I have a large container that is 4 years old never opened....still good?

23ford wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 21, 2020 5:46 pm

I have a large container that is 4 years old never opened....still good?

From Sta-Bil https://www.goldeagle.com/tips-tools/sh ... tabilizer/
"If you have an unopened bottle of STA-BIL, it will be good for up to five years. Then once you open the bottle we recommend using within two years for best results. However, after the two years you may still use the product as a fuel system cleaner as long as there is no sediment or flakes."