Storage: Drain gas or start frequently

[ozzstar]

I've been filling the tank full of fuel and adding the recommended amount of Stabil to winterize my bikes for years.  I try and start them every 1-2 months and let it run for about 10 minutes.  I have never had any starting problems or carb problems using this method.  The key to keep moisture out and prevent any rusting is a FULL tank of gasoline.   

Ozz
(Glen)

[cadmanmadman]

About 5 - 10 years ago, stabil did not exist. In addition, fuel was fuel and not the BS they are selling us now.

For all those reasons, I think draining the tank worked.

Nowadays I think my mode of operation will be Stabil and a full tank.

Does anyone still advocate draining the tank? If so, why?

[SlowOldGuy]

I've had more trouble with gummed up carbs in the last 2 years than I have in the last 35.  I've used both Stabil and MMO and still had to rebuild the carbs on all 3 streetbikes.  If I only let it sit for about 2 weeks, then a generous application of Techron will eventually clear out the problem.  It appears that the idle circuit is easily plugged by whatever crap they are now adding to our fuel (here in Tx, we get ethanoled and oxygenated fuel, seems like there's no room for an real fuel in that mix.)

Never had these problems in the past and it used to sit for about 6 weeks at a time.  I just need to figure out a way to ride all 3 bikes at the same time.  :-)

DavidR.

[cadmanmadman]

Funny, Slow 'ol Guy, If you look at my earlier post I used your exact words.

I have had more carbs gum up on me in the past 2 or 3 years than I have ever seen in the past 30 or so !!

Are you using the RED stabil or the new GREEN stabil?

The Green is supposed to work with ethanol fuels much better. At least thats what they say.....Thats my last ditch effort on this whole mess.

Otherwise I'm not sure what to do.

[Bob]

I've had more trouble with gummed up carbs in the last 2 years than I have in the last 35.  I've used both Stabil and MMO and still had to rebuild the carbs on all 3 streetbikes.  <...>
DavidR.

Soooo... David, you "had to rebuild the carbs".  Secretly, I think you were happy about that. 

FWIW: after all the carb troubles and rebuilds I've done, the past few years have been problem free.  Full tank with Seafoam, stored for six months (we have a painfully short riding season).

[Dan Filetti]

FWIW: after all the carb troubles and rebuilds I've done, the past few years have been problem free.  Full tank with Seafoam, stored for six months (we have a painfully short riding season).

Bob-

You live in Ontario, the farm/corn lobby has, I'm guessing, not yet found a way to get every single Canadian politician to kiss their a$$es like they do here in the US.  Ethanol makes very little sense to anyone who seriously looks at it from an economics perspective yet every single presidential candidate is a "vigorous supporter", for fear of cheesing off these people. 

As a result of not being subject to this type of extortion, you do not have, I rather suspect, this crap in your fuel, or at least in the quantities that we do.  Perhaps this explains why you have not had gumming issues?

Not sure though.

Dan

[SlowOldGuy]

Bob had enough carb troubles at a single rally to earn a "free carb pass" for the rest of his life.

The FJ carbs are a total piece of cake compared to getting them off of the FZ1.  What a royal PITA!

DavidR.

[cadmanmadman]

So does anyone have any real-world, empirical data on the old 'red' vs the new 'green' stabil?

Tho old red formula was complete bukake. It did absolutely nothing.

I put it into the fuel of every engine I owned and had the treat of degumming about 7 out of the 10 engines I have around the house.

BTW: Since carb gumming is here at least for the forseeable future, there is this stuff made by Gunk called carbureator Boil out. It comes in a paint can with a dipping basket inside. Your hands tingle when exposed to this stuff, but it works great. Beda than anything else I have used.