Gas additives

I was talking to an older gentlemen at work about the jeep. I told him I don't drive it much only on weekends and a tank of gas would last me a while. With the 10-20% of ethanol in the gas he asked me what gas additives I used to treat the gas. I don't use any, but should I? It's the original buick V6. I told him I'd post this question to the forum and see what or if anyone else uses any.

Thank You

 

I use stabil and lucas safeguard ethanol treatment in my a seldom driven fiero with supercharged 3800 in it.
Seems to work well after 3 years of using it. I used stable in my jeep when I had it going. Worked great.

 

"Seafoam" seems to be helpful in my small engines and classic vehicles, using small amounts regularly.

I've read of a technique to remove ethanol from fuel, in a separating tank. The suggestion was to add 1 or 2 quarts of water to five gallons of gas - then drain off the resulting mix from the bottom, leaving clean gas above.
Anyone have ACTUAL experience if this works effectively?

 

I buy 100% gasoline, 3 stations locally sell it, add Sta-bil to the tank before filling, I also try to keep it full in the colder months to prevent condensation in the tank.

 

If you are going to store a vehicle, say for more than a year, without starting it, AVGAS works great. I have heard it is good for up to 3-4 years. It also isn't legal to use non-taxed fuel, and you might have some trouble getting an airport to sell you any, but it is good stuff for longer storage.
-Donny

 

Avgas still contains lead, so it will ruin a cat/con. And is illegal.

Just tell 'em it's for your ultra-light, back home in the barn...

 

Thanks for the input guys, I will look at my auto parts store and see what brands they sell and start using it.

 

I have used various additive in the gas for my Jeep, probably it works. I have just put some in my tank to avoid the humidity problem. But I need to change one plug to test the engine, the plug are on the way by mail.
More interesting : I have checked theses additives on my lawnmover monocylinder John Deere, the engine is a Briggs & Stratton. There was a big difference, the engine was working very very well.

 

The only thing I have used in any of my vehicles that were built to run on Leaded Gasoline (which would include anything built in the 70s or earlier) is Marvel Mystery Oil. About 4 oz to 10 gallons of gasoline. Early valves, and unhardened valve seats and guides take the most punishment from unleaded fuel and now unleaded fuel with ethanol. I have even used it in the past as a treatment in 3 diesel Mercedes, a 1971 DS21 Citroen (wish I still had this!), 1977 944 Porsche, and currently in a 1963 Austin Mini and this 61 CJ5 with the Hurricane engine. The Marvel Mystery Oil also keeps the old mechanical fuel pumps lubed up.

Never had a problem with starting any of the gasoline engines in the spring after winter storage.

 

I use Avgas. Get it at your local airport self serv pump. The evening works best. Seafoam and stabil work very well also.

 

I have so many things that run on gas it's hard to keep count. I try to keep the tanks mostly full (no airspace) and use premium. I swear by Stabil. I use the marine which appears to be more expensive, but if you see it takes less to treat the same amount, it works out it's cheaper.

My '69 short step Chevy I filled up in '99 and put Stabil in it and put in our shed at the farm. In 2012 I brought it home, rebuilt the brakes and carb, dropped in a battery and it fired right up. 13 years. Impressive although it was non ethanol fuel.

 

"My '69 short step Chevy I filled up in '99 and put Stabil in it and put in our shed at the farm. In 2012 I brought it home, rebuilt the brakes and carb, dropped in a battery and it fired right up. 13 years. "

I don't think the fuel is the only factor. The older the vehicle, the less trouble, IMHO. I think the cast iron parts (versus modern alloys) and simple design make them far more resistant to ethanol problems.

My generator or snowblower or lawnmower seem to need the carb bowls and tanks drained of water every time I use them, and the inner carb parts corrode all the time and need cleaning frequently. A fuel line on my Harely rotted off in one year.

On the other hand, my 1920's Model T Fords can sit with old gas in them literally for years and fire right up.
Sometimes my Jeeps sit idle all winter but still run fine. (But I still use Seafoam occasionally.)

 

I use stabil and a station opened up about a year ago that sells non ethanol gas. Think there is a Lucas gas treatment too but I'm not sure. There is another product called starbrite. I used it on my lawn mowers every winter and no problems so far.

 

A lot depends on the blends used in your area also as different areas are blended differently due to laws, taxes, climate, etc. etc. Around here unless you specifically purchase non-ethanol fuel everything has it and it causes issues in everything except more modern vehicles (plastic fuel tanks and lines, etc.). Dad's GPW sat with ethanol fuel (unkbeknownst to us) and within a year the fuel tank and system was rusted junk.

 

Sorry Glenn, not cyber-savvy enough for pics.

An original '25 Fordor sedan that has been in the family 60-plus years, first car I ever drove. And a '26 Touring car, restored. Use them a lot in the summer.

Supposedly Henry designed the T to run on ethanol (or gas). Then Prohibition came along.

 

That would make sense as ethanol was easier to make that full on gasoline. The infrastructure was already there, if more for drinking than driving lol.

 

I also suspect it had to do with his coming from a farming family, and wanting to make a car that they could produce their own fuel for. In 1908 when the Ford 'T' was introduced, gasoline was still an exotic. So was an automobile!

 

Citroën DS 21? How can you avoid rust. I had 3 same kind (easy in France, people used to give them quite for nothing at this time) but rust was the problem.