[Leftyatm]

Hey guys. Quick question. So I have been doing some research about fuel cleaners and stabilizers. I have read a lot of good reviews on the gumout multi system cleaner that also has the stabilizer in it to help with fuel breakdown. I was going to buy thus for my car since I'll be letting it sit this winter but I was talked out of it because they said stabil is strictly a fuel stabilizer whereas the gumout is more a cleaner and it is not good for a fuel system to keep a cleaner in it. Further, I was told that when you run a cleaner, you are supposed to run through that tank relatively quick, otherwise it will cause damage. Is this true?

How often do you precommend using a cleaner? Every oil change and obviously the stabilizer only if you aren't going through a tank that often? Lastly, is it bad on a system to have both the stabil stabilizer and the gumout multi system cleaner in the tank at the same time?

Thanks in advance for any help regarding this matter.

 

[Urambo Tauro]

*rant mode activated* *apologies in advance*

It is very hard to find solid information on this stuff. There are a lot of opinions out there, with little to no third-party testing to back it up. Most of the information available is from guys saying "it worked for me; amazing!", or "snake oil; don't waste money".

I think that if a chemical was dangerous to leave in the system, specific instructions would be printed on the label. Head gasket sealers have very strict warnings on how to apply them. All kinds of fluids and additives have changed over the years, and some of the limitations may no longer apply to what is available now. For example, sludge is much less of a likelihood now in synthetic and even syn-blend oils. Even conventional oils are improved.

My brother wanted advice on a fuel cleaner additive recently, and I kind of gave up, saying "just go to the parts store with $10 and grab something with a good brand name". He bought STP complete fuel system cleaner.

There is a lot of information over at Bob is the Oil Guy, especially in the forums, but it can be hard to pick out the expert opinions from the other member comments.

The only advice I can really give is to use a trusted name and follow the directions. I think most of them recommend using every 3000-5000 miles.

 

[squekster]

Hey guys. Quick question. So I have been doing some research about fuel cleaners and stabilizers. I have read a lot of good reviews on the gumout multi system cleaner that also has the stabilizer in it to help with fuel breakdown. I was going to buy thus for my car since I'll be letting it sit this winter but I was talked out of it because they said stabil is strictly a fuel stabilizer whereas the gumout is more a cleaner and it is not good for a fuel system to keep a cleaner in it. Further, I was told that when you run a cleaner, you are supposed to run through that tank relatively quick, otherwise it will cause damage. Is this true?

How often do you precommend using a cleaner? Every oil change and obviously the stabilizer only if you aren't going through a tank that often? Lastly, is it bad on a system to have both the stabil stabilizer and the gumout multi system cleaner in the tank at the same time?

Thanks in advance for any help regarding this matter.

I use stabil in my car and it usually sits for an
average of 5 months a year and never had any
start up problems. Never heard of any problems
with mixing stabil with any cleaner. Also never
heard of any damage caused by any cleaner left
in the system for any amount of time. I think most
cleaners work gradually anyway. I usually double
up on any cleaner that I use. The bottle says add
to up to 20 gallons of fuel I add it to ten gallons.

 

[87frankenstang]

Stabil does allow gas to sit longer, before it starts to break down. According to the package, gasoline can be stored for up to one year before stabil will no longer be effective enough to prevent breakdown.

That being said, there are also other factors involved. In personal experience I have left my vehicles to sit for 5 months before with nothing in the tank but straight gasoline and had NO issues during startup. Infact, to be honest the only time I have ever seen "bad gas" was from a car I got for free when I was younger that sat for about 4-5 years. The "gas" in the tank smelled more like kerosene and the fuel lines and pump had what looked like tar in them. Obviously a very extreme case.

If you were to let it sit over the winter, my suggestion is top it off full (to prevent condensation) and add the suggested about of stabil to be safe. Nothing else.

Also, again opinions here, I don't agree with regular use of "fuel system cleaner" unless there is an abnormal circumstance involved. For a car that sees regular use, and doesn't have the gas in it longer then 1 month at a time, "fuel system cleaner" is completely pointless. Every single name brand gasoline already has additives in them to prevent break down and gumming of the gas within a reasonable amount of time, and even has additives that actively clean to prevent buildup. I only use fuel system cleaner to boost cleaning power of the fuel in rare instances where it may be needed (I.E. A vehicle that sat with fuel in it long enough to possibly gum up).

Trust me, there's a reason every time you walk into an advance autoparts they always have deals on fuel system cleaner, and are trying to get rid of it. Because it isn't needed and most people don't buy it and still get around fine.