|
|
What Happens to Fuel When it is Stored?
|
Any fuel, be it gasoline, diesel, or heating
fuel, is made up of many different organic compounds. These organic
compounds are constantly changing over time becoming new compounds
that change the characteristics of fuel. The same molecules that
make up the best parts of gasoline can react with oxygen and other
elements in the environment and form new molecules that build
up to form gummy residues or varnish-like films that can clog
up passages in fuel lines, carburetors, and injectors.
Some fuels are treated with oxidation inhibitors to allow them
to be stored for up to 3 months without generating excessive deposits.
Other fuels have no inhibitors at all. In any case, storage of
equipment requires some special consideration for the fuel system.
|
Why Can't These Problems be Avoided by
Draining Fuel?
|
One way to avoid most of these deposits
is to completely drain the fuel tank and fuel lines. This procedure
poses a number of problems. First, it is virtually impossible
to get every drop of fuel out of the system by simply draining.
In order to remove all fuel, lines must be blown out and dried,
or enough fuel will remain to cause problems. Second, draining
the fuel exposes the bare metal in the tank and fuel system to
air and moisture which, together, can result in the formation
of rust and corrosion and which can allow gaskets to dry out,
crack and shrink, leading to fuel leaks when the system is refilled.
Third, drained fuel is a fire and safety hazard and represents
an environmental problem. Properly disposing of this fuel is difficult.
For these reasons, draining is not the solution.
|
Does Fuel Stored in a Tank or Can Cause
Problems?
|
Fuel stored in cans or tanks will also
oxidize with many of the "bad acting" unstable molecules
remaining in the solution. Using this fuel next season, greatly
increases the likelihood that deposits will form in fuel systems
while the equipment is used. In other words, stored fuel needs
treatment too.
|
What Does STA-BIL Do?
|
STA-BIL is a blend of scientific additives
all of which act together to prevent fuel from undergoing degradation
and oxidation during prolonged storage. STA-BIL acts as a protective
wrapper around fuel molecules so they cannot combine with oxygen
or other molecules to form new "bad actor" molecules.
The "sweetened" fuel will perform its job thereafter
as though it had just been freshly pumped into the fuel tank straight
from the refinery pipeline.
|
How Well Does STA-BIL Work?
|
Better than you can imagine. On average,
STA-BIL improves gasoline life 5 times. The average gasoline is
extended from 3 months oxidation life without STA-BIL to 15 months
with STA-BIL. Compared to any other products pretending to extend
fuel life, STA-BIL is 4 to 9 times more effective according to
accepted standard fuel stability tests IASTM D5251.
|
What Kind of Engines Need STA-BIL?
|
Any engine stored for 90 days or more needs
STA-BIL. This includes all 2-cycle or 4-cycle engines used in
lawnmowers, marine engines (inboard and outboard, snow-throwers,
motorcycles, chain saws, recreation vehicles, snowmobiles, generators,
pumps, golf carts, automobiles, trucks, garden tillers, lawn edgers,
garden tractors, farm equipment, mini- bikes, motorscooters, you
name it. If it has an engine and is stored for a season or more,
it needs STA-BIL.
|
Is STA-BIL Hard to Use?
|
It's simple. Just add STA-BIL to the fuel
according to the recommended dosage on the package. (Measuring
is easy based on the number of squeezes through the measuring
cap. Agitate the fuel tank if possible, then start and run
the engine for 5 minutes or more. After that, simply shut off
the engine and store the equipment away. Next season, the engine
will start easily and run smoothly.
|
The Gold Eagle Company, makers of STA-BIL®,
HEET® gas line antifreeze, LEAK STOPPERS for all automotive fluids,
QUANTUM® additives and over 90 other products now has a catalog!
If you want more information, contact us at 1-800-621-1251.
|