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[spydglide]

My big complaint these days is that if you let the gas sit too long, it gums up the works. What is the BEST stuff to dump into a gas tank to clean out carbs and fuel systems? Right now I am using Sta-Bil and SeaFoam Green. Are any of the gumout or STP products better at cutting out the varnish and crud?

Real gasoline would probably work.   But, once it's shallaced-up inside, not sure that it can be un-gummed up w/o taking apart.    spyder

[Half_Crazy]

Any suggestions on substitutes?

Available at AutoZone

[CVOLarry]

My big complaint these days is that if you let the gas sit too long, it gums up the works. What is the BEST stuff to dump into a gas tank to clean out carbs and fuel systems? Right now I am using Sta-Bil and SeaFoam Green. Are any of the gumout or STP products better at cutting out the varnish and crud?

Sta-Bil fuel additive works good as long as it is put in before the fuel gets messed up. Once the fuel is messed up, a fuel additive will not help. If you suspect that the fuel in your tank may be messed up, DO NOT RUN THE MOTOR, and immediately empty the tank and put in fresh gasoline. Once the motor has been run with bad gasoline, it's ruined and needs to be taken down and repaired.

[Ironhorse]

Sta-Bil fuel additive works good as long as it is put in before the fuel gets messed up. Once the fuel is messed up, a fuel additive will not help. If you suspect that the fuel in your tank may be messed up, DO NOT RUN THE MOTOR, and immediately empty the tank and put in fresh gasoline. Once the motor has been run with bad gasoline, it's ruined and needs to be taken down and repaired.

How long does fuel have to sit before it gets bad enough to mess up a motor?

[spydglide]

Sta-Bil fuel additive works good as long as it is put in before the fuel gets messed up. Once the fuel is messed up, a fuel additive will not help. If you suspect that the fuel in your tank may be messed up, DO NOT RUN THE MOTOR, and immediately empty the tank and put in fresh gasoline. Once the motor has been run with bad gasoline, it's ruined and needs to be taken down and repaired.

Would the old/stale gasoline be good for anything other than making fire-bombs or cleaning greasy parts?  spyder

[Hugh Janis]

I drink ethanol. Sometimes I stabilize it with an olive.

[CVOLarry]

How long does fuel have to sit before it gets bad enough to mess up a motor?

I do not have a definitive answer. If I bought anything with a gasoline powered motor and the fuel age was suspect, I would empty the fuel tank and replenish with new fuel. Fuel age being suspect to me would be two or more years.

I get the impression that you have a car or motorcycle with old fuel? If you have not run it yet, no problem, empty the fuel tank and replenish. If you have run the motor and it starts OK, but doesn't run well, then I'd start by changing the fuel filter. Also suggest that you think about cleaning the carburetor(s). There is a risk of valve damage by using aged fuel. To check if that's what you are dealing with, check the compression. If a valve is stuck, it can bend pistons and then you're going to be doing what I have mentioned above --- breaking down the motor.

[CVOLarry]

Would the old/stale gasoline be good for anything other than making fire-bombs or cleaning greasy parts?  spyder

Stale gas should be OK in a lawn mower, or anything else with a small engine. Heck, even a motorcycle with a SMALL amount of stale gas, mixed with known good gas would be OK. Small amount meaning say, 1/4 tank aged gas, and 3/4 tank new gas. The worst case I foresee in that situation would be the fuel filter would catch whatever gummies there are, and you may have to change it out prematurely at some point in the future.

I have disposed of stale gasoline in numerous ways. If I only have a little bit (less than 10 gallons) I have put it in a bucket, and let it evaporate. You can also spread it out on cardboard and let it evaporate. Or, you can pay a hazardous material disposal company (sometimes your local trash company can handle it) and they will get rid of it for you for a fee.

[Ironhorse]

I do not have a definitive answer. If I bought anything with a gasoline powered motor and the fuel age was suspect, I would empty the fuel tank and replenish with new fuel. Fuel age being suspect to me would be two or more years.

I get the impression that you have a car or motorcycle with old fuel? If you have not run it yet, no problem, empty the fuel tank and replenish. If you have run the motor and it starts OK, but doesn't run well, then I'd start by changing the fuel filter. Also suggest that you think about cleaning the carburetor(s). There is a risk of valve damage by using aged fuel. To check if that's what you are dealing with, check the compression. If a valve is stuck, it can bend pistons and then you're going to be doing what I have mentioned above --- breaking down the motor.

What I have is Kawasaki Police Bike #6. It was in good condition but sat for a year. The good news is that the owner came out and started it once a month and let it warm up and idle. The bad news is that he never rode it. When I picked it up I dumped some Seafoam Green in it along with four gallons of fresh gas. Then I added some Sta-Bil. I'd like to try and clean out the fuel system as much as possible without yanking the carbs and sending them out.

[CVOLarry]

What I have is Kawasaki Police Bike #6. It was in good condition but sat for a year. The good news is that the owner came out and started it once a month and let it warm up and idle. The bad news is that he never rode it. When I picked it up I dumped some Seafoam Green in it along with four gallons of fresh gas. Then I added some Sta-Bil. I'd like to try and clean out the fuel system as much as possible without yanking the carbs and sending them out.

One year of sitting should not pose a problem. Id say simply empty the fuel tank, re-fill, add Sta-Bil and ride it. Be sure to bring the RPMs up plenty before shifting up a gear.

Kawasaki Police Bikes ---- The KZ-1000P is my favorite duty bike, thus far. I am anxious to get the opportunity to ride the Concours 14P and see if Kawasaki still has what it takes to manufacture a superb police bike. I will be heading up to our academy this month and will get an opportunity to try one out.

[Ironhorse]

One year of sitting should not pose a problem. Id say simply empty the fuel tank, re-fill, add Sta-Bil and ride it. Be sure to bring the RPMs up plenty before shifting up a gear.

Kawasaki Police Bikes ---- The KZ-1000P is my favorite duty bike, thus far. I am anxious to get the opportunity to ride the Concours 14P and see if Kawasaki still has what it takes to manufacture a superb police bike. I will be heading up to our academy this month and will get an opportunity to try one out.

That's the reason I chose the KZ1000P for training bikes. The abuse we put them through at motorschool was horrible, but the damn things kept on running. I've ridden the Concours 14 Civillian bike and I really like it. The enforcement package will have smaller bags and a tighter turning radius.

[jagerbomb]

There is a risk of valve damage by using aged fuel. To check if that's what you are dealing with, check the compression. If a valve is stuck, it can bend pistons and then you're going to be doing what I have mentioned above --- breaking down the motor.

Not to argue with your expertise, but,  bad fuel will not stick valves. Also if a valve were to stick, it would bend the valve not the piston.

[hogasm]

Talked with the Sta-Bil rep last year about their fuel additives. He explained to me that the additive for diesel fuel is the same as the one for gasoline. the diesel fuel additive is more concentrated and they use a different dye for color. He explained to me that people have to have it say for gasoline or diesel before they will purchase it. he said use the diesel additive in gasoline at half strength...it is the same just different color.

Installed new motors on the boat last month. The previous set ere removed in October so I added the diesel Sta-Bil in the tank for 309 gallons. Before the new motors were fired up we sent a fuel sample to Mercury for testing...results...the fuel is suitable for initial starting of the new Verados

Have been using the diesel in the boat, trucks, lawnmowers, weed eaters, pretty much anything with a fuel powered motor

[guppytrash]

hogasm

Thanks for the good intel.  Next winter I will try the diesel sta-bil at half rate.

[CVOLarry]

Not to argue with your expertise, but,  bad fuel will not stick valves. Also if a valve were to stick, it would bend the valve not the piston.

Sorry, but you're incorrect on both counts. Google it sometime, and you will see that stale fuel will cause stuck valves, as well as gumming up carburetors, and other parts. And the piston will bend because the valve is in the improper place at the improper time.