Does anyone know the potential advatages/disadvantages of the product "Sta-bil." I've been known to trust the label on stuff like this, only to find out later that it's trashing my car.

 

I've used it for years in boats and chainsaw with out difficulties. The boat was a carburetor topped high compression monster that hated old gas. Word in my old boating club was it was the best brand.

 

I've used it for years in my motorcycles, lawn mower, and snow blower. Works well.

I don't know how it would effect a vehicle with oxygen sensors and catalytic convertors. Some of the new high end motorcycles (all BMWs and Honda GL1800) are now equipped with cats and oxygen sensors. You might want to check around their boards for information on Sta-Bil on these newer bikes.

try: www.gl1800.org , www.GWRRA.org www.ibmwr.org and maybe even rec.motorcycles on the UseNet.

 

Semi-informed response....

Most gasolines sold in the USA (and the world for that matter) is manufactured using the fluid catalytic cracking process (FCC) that take long-chain hydrocarbons and "cracks off" part of it leaving octane (8 carbons molecules) and light-ends (< C6).

Unfortunately this process tends over time (and especially with heat) to reverse itself. FCC gasoline will "reform", into something approaching a light fuel oil. That is why gasoline in rarely stored over a long period. [Note: The military stores fuels for potential conflicts, and routinely has to re-refine these fuels to keep them on spec.]

Anyway, Sta-Bil and other gasoline stabilizers try (and usually succeed) in delaying this reformation process. I routinely use this product in my portable generator, jet ski, and boat at the lake. These machines often sit up for weeks, and using old fuel can clog up the fuel filter and injectors.

Note: "Premium" gasoline (which you should be using in your S2000) is primarily made from "reformate" (which is gasoline made by reforming small molecules into octane) and "alkylate" (which is made by treating butanes and butenes with a strong acid to produce a high-octane, low vapor pressure gasoline fuel). Premium gasoline typically has less tendence to breakdown, and also usually already has "stabilizing agents" in it.

My Opinion: There is very little need to use Sta-Bil in a S2000 that uses premium gasoline and is run regularly.

Regards,

Al (a guy who builds petroleum refineries in Texas)

 

I take it this is a fuel stabilizer. I've used products like this for years (probably this very same one). I've put it in everything from Vettes, Viper, motorcycles to lawn mowers. They don't seem to have any adverse effects that I've seen. On the other hand, I can't swear that they helped any, either. In years when I've not bothered to put the stuff in, there was no discernable difference in the way the engine came out of hybernation. I did it because it made me feel good about the way I put my machines to bed for the winter. I think if you make sure the fuel tank is full of high grade juice at the beginning of its sleep, it'll be fine.

 

Thanks to all. It's enough to know it's been used successfully in lot's of high-compression applications, but AATees "semi-informed" response was the kind of detail I had hoped for.