Fuel Additives. Whats best for this crappy gas ?

[snowpatrol]

We are going to have to run this crappy gas almost everywhere we go from now on. It will be a minimum of 10% ethanol. I here it goes bad in as little as 30 days. What kind of additives will work in this gas to make it perform at it's best and maybe give it a longer shelf life ? Any experts in the gas field ?

 

[Ancient Sledder]

If you have to let the sled sit for over 30 days,I would siphon the fuel out right after your ride is over. Burn that gas in your pickup and start with fresh gas on your next ride. JMHO.

 

[H20SKE]

If you have to let the sled sit for over 30 days,I would siphon the fuel out right after your ride is over. Burn that gas in your pickup and start with fresh gas on your next ride. JMHO.

Fresh is best for sure.

I have always mixed my Premium with AVgas and it holds great and burns better--But I do not let it sit for very long either, I burn it in another toy if the sled is not running--LOL
H20SKE...

 

[JJFlash]

We are going to have to run this crappy gas almost everywhere we go from now on. It will be a minimum of 10% ethanol. I here it goes bad in as little as 30 days. What kind of additives will work in this gas to make it perform at it's best and maybe give it a longer shelf life ? Any experts in the gas field ?

Sta-Bil just brought out a product specifically designed for 10%+ ethanol fuels. It is also formulated for moisture intense and marine applications. The bottle is shaped the same as the red stuff, only smaller, and the product is green. I paid $9.99 for it at NAPA.

Here's a link to the manufacturer's page: http://www.goldeagle.com/sta-bil/stabil_marine.htm

 

[2001rmk700]

wow that looks like a good product has anybody tried it by chance?

 

[JJFlash]

wow that looks like a good product has anybody tried it by chance?

I lead a state highway crew, and we've been using it in all of our saws and generators (everything else is diesel). Oregon has mandated E10 for the whole state. Our saws only get used if there is a storm or the odd downed tree, so fresh gas is important to us. So far, we haven't had any issues with mixed or regular gas going bad.

 

[HardcoreAK]

Fitch catalyst

I have used fitch catalyst for several years now, we used to get in parts of Alaska what they called OXY-fuel (which was basically the same as E10 I am told.) They are permanent and work with ALL FUELS the same way to keep it fresh and energized, it will not go stale. I have never had a fuel related issue since, no gum no varnish, and leave my fuel in all season long......

I race a pure methanol powered dragster, and everybody always says the fuel goes bad in a month. BS, It depends whether you keep it in the shade I think, away from UV in a metal can or drum, otherwise its BS, I own a fuel tester, and complete hydrodmeter kit and I test my fuel before every pass down the track (dont want to buy a $30k motor for sake of cheap fuel).
As far as the alcohols corrosiveness? I do add a special "top lube" to my fuel to protect the dissimilar metals and fuel pump gears from being eaten up, but we are talking PURE alcohol fuel.....
I store my unused methanol all winter and have never had a problem as long its in a tight sealed drum, away from sunlight or UV.

CARBS: Dont leave any alcohol type fuel in your sled for any great length of time unless you use the catalyst and a top lube, and plan to run it to circulate the stuff every week or so....or else at least drain the carbs and blow down the pumps.
Fuelies are just screwed, Id say add the special sta-bil juice for corrosion protection and hope for the best. Otherwise you be fighting problems.
Just my .02 - I could do a special forum user buy in on the Fitch Catalysts if theres enough interest.....used to sell them like crack..

 

[snowpatrol]

hardcore, do you put the fitch catalyst in the snowmobile tank and just leave it ?
is there any threat of it rolling around and plugging or disconnecting the fuel pick up line ?

 

[travydog]

i dont think it goes bad in as less as 30 days i couldnt because some of the small gass stations around here keep it longer than that in there tanks but i amy be wrong but i would still pu the stay bill or what ever brand of staybalizer in. I have never used it on my sled even in the off season. I just ride and whats left in the tank get blended the next year. Might not be the right thing to do but it never has hurt anything of mine that i do that to , sleds, or 4 wheelers, or the gator, or my old pickup. Thats my .02

 

[jsledder]

I took the carbs apart on my 700, after sitting for about a month with 10% in the tank, and the jets were already starting to get varnish built up on them and even some green stuff. I typicaly treat all my seasonal stuff with generous amounts of Stabil, but after seeing that I'll start adding it to each tank at the end of a trip if it looks like they might be sitting for a few weeks.

 

[samtarolli]

i think some shell gas stations offer fuel with 0% ethanol exclusively for off road vehicles chain saws lawn mowers etc...you cant fill your car up with it. i havnt bought it yet and am unsure of the price but when i start putting gas in my sled this season i think im gonna get that stuff

 

[NoCoastNesse]

Am I smoking Crack?? I could have sworm my Polaris Manual says to ONLY run "Oxygenated winter fuel" ?!? Which makes sense, it has a lower evap. temp so the motor runs better in the cold.

 

[Jeff C]

I think SOME of this is overhyped.

In Minnesota we have been using an E10 blend for over ten years now.

Stabilize the fuel with Stabil or Seafoam at the end of the season and never had a fuel issue with the added ethanol.

Small engines, engines in cars trucks same thing.

I remember back when we started to add ethanol to the fuels in Minnesota.

There were the same arguments, "Fuel goes bad" , "Corrosive", "will plug up filters"........

It did not prove to be an issue.

Now, some 10+ years later, there is no longer this talk of doom and gloom.


Stabilize your fuels, no matter what the blend, and you will be fine

 

[I.P.Yellow]

I think SOME of this is overhyped.

In Minnesota we have been using an E10 blend for over ten years now.

Stabilize the fuel with Stabil or Seafoam at the end of the season and never had a fuel issue with the added ethanol.

Small engines, engines in cars trucks same thing.

I remember back when we started to add ethanol to the fuels in Minnesota.

There were the same arguments, "Fuel goes bad" , "Corrosive", "will plug up filters"........

It did not prove to be an issue.

Now, some 10+ years later, there is no longer this talk of doom and gloom.


Stabilize your fuels, no matter what the blend, and you will be fine

I agree with you Jeff C. This is way overhyped, I've been using E10 in my sleds for at least 10 years now and have never had an issue. In fact with the E10 you won't need fuel de-icer since the alcohol is already in there. I think that if you use a good fuel additive at the end of the season you shouldn't have any problems. For sure you won't have any problems in 30 days. My $.02,Rick

 

[Gimpster]

Since I am in the powersport business, I have to warn you guys about Stabil.
The stuff turns into gelled bb's after prolonged setting. I have a Harley here that had 10% ethanol fuel in it, sat with stabil for 8 months with 1/4 tank of gas in it. When I pulled the fuel system down, there was 3/4 tank of hardened bb's in it. We almost had to trash the tank because nothing would break it down. Finally I left Sea-Foam in it for 2 weeks and it turned back into a liquid state.
I highly suggest the use of Sea-Foam. Units left setting for 2 weeks with fuel in the carbs, unstarted, will foul the plugs before the unit will start, as the fuel in small quanity such as in a float bowl will lose its volitility and not burn until replentished with good fuel.

Just a heads-up

----- Gimpster -----

 

[Thumper]

Clear Fuel

Clear fuel is still available! I run it not only in my Sleds but, boat atv's chainsaw etc. Most wholesale distributors have it available and will sell retail!