I have nothing to do with VW. I do understand the science behind the stuff though and it isn't just a cleaner, it's definitely not a miracle worker either.
Why add stabilizer for ethanol-free fuel?
- Thread starter timtek
- Start date
I have nothing to do with VW. I do understand the science behind the stuff though and it isn't just a cleaner, it's definitely not a miracle worker either.
I just dump a whole can of Seafoam in. Stabalizer and supposed cleaner. I have no idea if it does anything although I watched a few independent YouTube videos of it where they stick cameras down the spark plug hole and it appears to be affective (although only in high concentration). Haven't noticed any issues but maybe it's not really doing anything, either. Meh.
That's what I did the first winter and the bike sounded rough going through that tank of "old" gas.
The following winter (i.e. last year), I used Sta-Bil, and the bike sounded exactly as rough come spring.
Will try that K100 additive this year. What the hell.
This is a good question - EFI bikes are not as affected by stale gas as carbed bikes. They tolerate the "gunk" a little better due to the fuel system being pressurized and not really having to worry about small passages being blocked. After an extended period of time, they might still be hard to start due to the more volatile fraction of gas having evaporated. I personally didn't bother using stabilizer in EFI bikes I've had, YMMV.
My old ST has 4 carbs and I use Shell super for last couple of fill ups to eliminate ethanol and I always put stabilizer in the gas just before last run and oil change. Is it 100% necessary? Who knows or cares as for 13 years it has been dirt cheap insurance against a 6 - 8 hours tear down to access, remove, clean and then replace 4 fairly complex carbs. I use about 150ml of stabilizer for the ST and use the balance over the year for lawn mowers, weed wacker, snow blowers. Total cost about $8.00/annum.
Maybe...the PhD and postdocs help. Being paid to teach the stuff is also quite nice.
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On topic...I see a much bigger difference with smaller engines like my snowblower and lawnmowers in terms of looking after the fuel and also a difference between my carbed bike I had (an Ex500) and a FI bike (my current one). Seafoam and the like definitely helped with the carbed bike over the winter, whereas with the current bike I do it more out of habit and to give the injectors a little spring clean. It's not voodoo, it's just different solvent application and the way different solvents interact with other compounds. Bear in mind your fuel is just a big tank of (pretty cheap unless it's race) solvent too. That fuel is also being provided for at the lowest cost to the supplier to maximise profits so what's in it isn't always listed (water content) or good for your engine when left standing. You might use it for extracting cocaine for junkies in a jungle lab (because it's the cheapest organic solvent out there and the suppliers don't care what residues might be left) but you'd never use it for high quality preparations for example or even use it for dry cleaning clothes. 1L of lab quality purified hexanes (similar to what's found in fuel) costs about $50 for 98% pure stuff, less in bulk but still way more than tank gas.
I am officially going to only refer to you as Dr.@jc100. I've always said that if I had a PhD, my own mother would call me Doctor!
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Exactly my logic as well. Stabilizer is a $6 investment
statsman
Well-known member
Without being a mechanic or having a degree in chemistry, all I can do is share my experience.
The first winter I had a bike, I did not put stabilizer in the gas. When I tried to start it in March after it had sat all winter, it wouldn't start.
The fuel had turned.
Since then, stabilizer is added.
The first winter I had a bike, I did not put stabilizer in the gas. When I tried to start it in March after it had sat all winter, it wouldn't start.
The fuel had turned.
Since then, stabilizer is added.
From the Seafoam site...
Sea Foam helps to clean and dissolve harmful residues and deposits from injectors, carburetors, intake valves and chambers.
Sea Foam helps fuel to resist evaporation, prevents gum and varnish formation, and preserves ignition vapors
Sounds a bit "stabilisery" to me.
Sea Foam helps to clean and dissolve harmful residues and deposits from injectors, carburetors, intake valves and chambers.
Sea Foam helps fuel to resist evaporation, prevents gum and varnish formation, and preserves ignition vapors
Sounds a bit "stabilisery" to me.
I don't use stabilisers anymore. I hate having to burn off the stabilisers in spring. Plus in a cold garage the gas hardly evaporates.
From my personal experience seafoam works. I don't normally buy into the snake oil but seafoam is an exception. It will work in the injector nozzles to prevent gunk. It's basically a solvent that dissolves gunk
From my personal experience seafoam works. I don't normally buy into the snake oil but seafoam is an exception. It will work in the injector nozzles to prevent gunk. It's basically a solvent that dissolves gunk
DylanMitchell
Banned
Bikes run fine without adding stabilizers. According to me, its just an option.
