Thread: fuel (ULP) stabiliser

So Bob, do you think I should have stayed with 50:1 and maybe also 50:1 in my 395? Harry hadn't been in the shop in most of his 7 years use, I do the servicing (clean/replace oil, fuel, air filters and plugs) and I hate to admit it, but no-one does 'the tuning' of him

The small bottle of "stabiliser" I bought cost about $19. That will treat 76 lires of fuel which works out to 25c / litre. Quite a bit more than just buying PULP which would maybe cost 5c / litre extra???
However, only about 5% of the petrol I use is actually used in my chainsaws, and they are the only engines that have given trouble to date. The other 95% is used in trucks, pumps, mowers, mobile saw (Honda 4 st).
So, either I use the stabiliser only for the 2 stroke mix (chainsaws) or I have both ULP and PULP on hand.
I think I will use the stabiliser I have now and re-think the situation when that is finished.

Originally Posted by gpigeon

However, only about 5% of the petrol I use is actually used in my chainsaws, and they are the only engines that have given trouble to date. The other 95% is used in trucks, pumps, mowers, mobile saw (Honda 4 st).

If you use that much petrol you should be turning it over pretty regularly so I don't understand the need for stabiliser. Whether you use stabiliser or not if the remaining mix in the CS is more than 3-4 weeks old I'd be putting that old mix into something else and filling up the CS with fresh mix.

Originally Posted by Sigidi

So Bob, do you think I should have stayed with 50:1 and maybe also 50:1 in my 395? Harry hadn't been in the shop in most of his 7 years use, I do the servicing (clean/replace oil, fuel, air filters and plugs) and I hate to admit it, but no-one does 'the tuning' of him

I generally use what the manufacturers recommend. On the generic Husky manual I have it says 33:1 so that's what I would use for the 395. However I would defer to whatever the 395 manual says.

I have always been sceptical about the stale fuel business. However, I recently had an outboard motor inspected by a retired boat mechanice who now just does pre-purchase inspections (he is 80 years old!!!). He told me that regular unleaded has a shelf life of 2 months. He said that the petrol companies used to add stabiliser to it, but they don't anymore due to cost cutting. Anyway, he couldn't emphasise enough, the risks of using stale fuel, but he told me to use a stabiliser called STA-BIL, which will increase the shelf life to 12 months. This works for 2 stroke fuel also. It is available at autobarn. I am not trying a sales pitch, just passing on info. Never used the stuff myself, but I will be.

Originally Posted by zanev00

I have always been sceptical about the stale fuel business. However, I recently had an outboard motor inspected by a retired boat mechanice who now just does pre-purchase inspections (he is 80 years old!!!). He told me that regular unleaded has a shelf life of 2 months.

A hard and fast number like 2 months is a bit misleading.
The shelf life depends on a whole bunch of things like;
- how long ago the petrol was refined,
- how much air is in the tanks when stored at the refinery, depot and petrol station and in your shed.
- cleanliness of tanks and containers
- temperature and moisture levels
- length of your grandmothers nose.
At small petrol stations the petrol could already be 4+ weeks old when it is bought.

If it is stored well it will last without any stabilizer for much longer than 2 months and if it stored poorly may not be much good even when purchased.

My standard relegation time is 4 weeks for use in chainsaw, then it relegated to the whipper snipper. after 3/4 months I used to tip the remainder into my Mitsubish petrol van but since having a diesel van I chuck it out

i wouldnt throw it out i would use it on some of my non paying customers vege patch

Yeah, I'm with ya - I got forum members that fit in that basket

My boat hasn't moved for 3 years now, I know the 5gal tank of two-stroke will be stuffed, but any ideas on what the propper way is to get rid of it ?

I do not worry about age of fuel. I just use it. Usually mix 10 litres of 2 stroke and transfer it to a 5 litre container but only half full so I have more control pouring into small tanks. Only 3 times I have had an issue.

1 was 4stroke motorbike unused for a long time due to medical reasons. Not relavant.

2 was mobilco echo chain saw not used for 18 months. Cleaned out and refueled and eventually got it started and then it was fine.

3 was 100cc husky chainsaw at the same time. Did the same but still could not get it going. Worked out it was the coil. New coil. Fixed. No bar oil because I cleaned out the oil tank, cos of info read on this forum. Thought it was priming problem. Turns out the oil pump was worn out. New oil pump. Not fitted yet.

Point is that the fuel problem was a long time in occurring. I live in a cool area in western vic. Location and climate will have a bearing on how long fuel lasts.

Dean