Regular red StaBil does nothing for ethanol, its simply a product that reduces gummed up carburetors (a problem with storing even before ethanol use). They make a specific marine version for every day use that is supposed to reduce problems associated with ethanol use. I have no idea how effective it is. Also be cautious of any other additives...many gas line antifreezes contain alcohol, and will make matters worse. I used Seafoam in my wife's bike before we stored it. Hopefully it will help some...may not. I know many who use it religiously, and still had rust inside the tanks.
How do we handle it up here? Replace fuel tanks and pumps on a regular basis. As long as we are forced to buy this stuff, we will be dealing with the results. Every mechanic in my area hates ethanol- replacing a rusty tank & rusty lines isn't a pleasant job. Its also tough to convince a customer that their tiny gas leak dripping on the ground is going to cost $1000+ to fix (every connected component is usually just as rusty, and touching one usually means having to replace everything- tank, pump/sender, lines). Some of this rust is external...unavoidable where they spray so much salt on the roads. Some is internal, from the ethanol.
just hope being in a different area now, and using the bike more, the new parts will last much longer.
I'm not a scientist. I'm just the poor guy who has to clean up this stuff. I can't explain why certain vehicles, or certain areas are more prone to problems. I do know that before ethanol use the insides of tanks used to stay very clean, unless someone stored the vehicle for years with an empty tank. We would replace tanks on occasion due to rusting through from the outside. But in the past several years, since ethanol came to the area, the number of tank and line issues simply exploded. If I had to take a guess, I think those issues went up at least 1000%. Instead of doing a couple tanks a year, now its close to a tank a week...and this is at a small shop. Also factor in more tanks are made of plastic now, so the numbers should be dropping, but are actually increasing. The metal tanks just keep coming back. I've installed new steel tanks that have had to be replaced again 3 years later from rusting through from the inside. Pretty bad when you live in a high salt area, and the outside of the tank is still clean metal, and the inside looks like Mick's photos.
How do we handle it up here? Replace fuel tanks and pumps on a regular basis. As long as we are forced to buy this stuff, we will be dealing with the results. Every mechanic in my area hates ethanol- replacing a rusty tank & rusty lines isn't a pleasant job. Its also tough to convince a customer that their tiny gas leak dripping on the ground is going to cost $1000+ to fix (every connected component is usually just as rusty, and touching one usually means having to replace everything- tank, pump/sender, lines). Some of this rust is external...unavoidable where they spray so much salt on the roads. Some is internal, from the ethanol.
just hope being in a different area now, and using the bike more, the new parts will last much longer.
I'm not a scientist. I'm just the poor guy who has to clean up this stuff. I can't explain why certain vehicles, or certain areas are more prone to problems. I do know that before ethanol use the insides of tanks used to stay very clean, unless someone stored the vehicle for years with an empty tank. We would replace tanks on occasion due to rusting through from the outside. But in the past several years, since ethanol came to the area, the number of tank and line issues simply exploded. If I had to take a guess, I think those issues went up at least 1000%. Instead of doing a couple tanks a year, now its close to a tank a week...and this is at a small shop. Also factor in more tanks are made of plastic now, so the numbers should be dropping, but are actually increasing. The metal tanks just keep coming back. I've installed new steel tanks that have had to be replaced again 3 years later from rusting through from the inside. Pretty bad when you live in a high salt area, and the outside of the tank is still clean metal, and the inside looks like Mick's photos.
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One of the only good things about living here in Oklahoma is that I can still get real gas. I only run ethanol when I travel. Then I make sure it is out of what ever I drive or ride before I park it.