Need additive with ethanol-free fuel?

[Grover70]

I use Gate Gas Station's ethanol-free fuel in my '17 FSH. Usually I need to fill up twice a month. I noticed plenty of commentary on additives for E10, but what about ethanol-free? Should I consider an additive for the general health of the engine? Is there a preventative aspect to using any particular additive?

Thoughts and experiences?

Thanks!

 

[captras]

Ethanol free gas is much better for you engine. Additives are not necessary if you use quality fuel.

 

[Eric Ballard]

I've Been told if you plan on burning entire tank of gas having ethanol in that gas is not a problem. I've been told the problem is when you let the ethanol gas sit in the tank. Correct me if I'm wrong though please. That said I thought treatment in my gas whenever I fill up with ethanol gas.

 

[captras]

I use the standard pump gas with up to 10% ethanol. The only additive I use is Stabil 360 with each fillup. Keeps water from forming and keeps that gas in good condition if it sits for a length of time.

 

[Grover70]

Ethanol free gas is much better for you engine. Additives are not necessary if you use quality fuel.

Thank you!

 

[Grover70]

I've Been told if you plan on burning entire tank of gas having ethanol in that gas is not a problem. I've been told the problem is when you let the ethanol gas sit in the tank. Correct me if I'm wrong though please. That said I thought treatment in my gas whenever I fill up with ethanol gas.

I've heard that ethanol does leave behind water and that was the main issue.

 

[txav8r]

Ethanol is here to stay for the near term. It won't harm your boats engine, "if", you add a good ethanol treatment. But in a boat that sits, it isn't just phase separation, the issue that ethanol causes. It is any moisture accumulation from condensation, and the fuel losing its octane. Two months is a very long time for fuel to sit without being burned. And I just had my chain saw worked on a month ago, and their only repair was to replace the fuel in the tank and clean the carburetor. That fuel was ethanol free, and only about 2 to 3 months old! I would love to say I ALWAYS use Marine Grade Stabil, a great fuel treatment and extender, but in that can, I forgot to add it. I have used fuel 2 years old without issue that was treated with Marine Grade Stabil. And hopefully on everything but my vehicles, I will continue to always use it. Because it helps with that condensation as well as preserving the quality of the fuel for months into the future. Many are lulled into a false sense of security when they buy ethanol free fuels. They start to go bad in just a few months just like all fuels...unless you add a quality stabilizer.

 

[Grover70]

Ethanol is here to stay for the near term. It won't harm your boats engine, "if", you add a good ethanol treatment. But in a boat that sits, it isn't just phase separation, the issue that ethanol causes. It is any moisture accumulation from condensation, and the fuel losing its octane. Two months is a very long time for fuel to sit without being burned. And I just had my chain saw worked on a month ago, and their only repair was to replace the fuel in the tank and clean the carburetor. That fuel was ethanol free, and only about 2 to 3 months old! I would love to say I ALWAYS use Marine Grade Stabil, a great fuel treatment and extender, but in that can, I forgot to add it. I have used fuel 2 years old without issue that was treated with Marine Grade Stabil. And hopefully on everything but my vehicles, I will continue to always use it. Because it helps with that condensation as well as preserving the quality of the fuel for months into the future. Many are lulled into a false sense of security when they buy ethanol free fuels. They start to go bad in just a few months just like all fuels...unless you add a quality stabilizer.

Thank you for the advice and sharing your own personal experience. I will take a close look at the Marine Grade Stabil.

 

[swatski]

x2 on marine stabil.

I also have an old habit of using Yamaha Ring Free in boats. I have talked to many east coast fishermen who routinely run two stroker o/b WOT for over 2,000 hours before they ditch them. That stuff is also great in four strokes, also part of Yamaha new fuel treatment.

--

 

[bronze_10]

X3 on marine grade stabil.

 

[Scott griffith]

I have used the star tron ring free in mine since I bought it 2 years ago and I always only put ethanol free gas in mine . There is a station close to my house and the ethanol free gas is only 10 cents more then the premium

 

[biglar155]

I'm fortunate enough to live a few miles from the county line. The adjacent county doesn't have the ethanol requirement so I'm able to burn exclusively ethanol-free in my boat and small engines.

Like Mel's, my 5-gallon small engine gas can gets Sta-Bil every time I fill it. I've been known to go nearly a year before needing to refill it so treatment is a requirement.

The boat gets Sta-Bil in the Fall of the year before she's stored for the winter months. Sometimes in the spring I've been known to dump a can of Sea-Foam in there just for giggles but that's not a necessity.

 

[scokill]

Ethanol is here to stay for the near term. It won't harm your boats engine, "if", you add a good ethanol treatment. But in a boat that sits, it isn't just phase separation, the issue that ethanol causes. It is any moisture accumulation from condensation, and the fuel losing its octane. Two months is a very long time for fuel to sit without being burned. And I just had my chain saw worked on a month ago, and their only repair was to replace the fuel in the tank and clean the carburetor. That fuel was ethanol free, and only about 2 to 3 months old! I would love to say I ALWAYS use Marine Grade Stabil, a great fuel treatment and extender, but in that can, I forgot to add it. I have used fuel 2 years old without issue that was treated with Marine Grade Stabil. And hopefully on everything but my vehicles, I will continue to always use it. Because it helps with that condensation as well as preserving the quality of the fuel for months into the future. Many are lulled into a false sense of security when they buy ethanol free fuels. They start to go bad in just a few months just like all fuels...unless you add a quality stabilizer.

I use stabil 360 every time I get gas, but I would say I only have used it for the past 2 years. Before that it was random...use, don't use, full tank for winter, half, empty. No problems. I also have a 5g can of gas I use in my mower and it's 2 seasons old with no stabil no nothing. No issues. No issues with weedeater, blower, etc. sitting multiple winters.