Age old saying that really means a lot. Have had Marine Stabil in the old Honda for years, always on a battery tender and always cranked once a month(If I didn't ride it) up until middle of this past hot summer. Got lazy.. Decided to finally go out a couple days ago and crank her up. Only ran on choke,wouldn't idle.. If I could have kicked my self in the ****,I would have. Expecting the worse,ripped em out and checked everything out. Carbs,bowls, float needles, main jet,needle jet,etc clean as can be because of the Marine Stabil. Only thing that I forgot about was the heat we had over the summer and the the carb vent tubes. They're there for a reason,to supply air to the fuel chamber so a carb won't starve for air and die. Another thing is moisture can get in and heat over a period of time can cause fuel in the bowls to evaporate through the vent tubes. Like I mentioned everything was pristine,except the small #38 pilot jets. All 4 were stopped up with a white powder residue. Cleaned em up ,waiting for new float bowl gaskets to arrive. Point of this story is the same as the title. DO AS I SAY,NOT AS I DO! If you don't ride much, at least crank a machine up every few weeks,fuel preservatives can keep fuel fresh for a long time in the tank and in the carb,but it has to circulate a little every so often to do it's job..
At least I can say I'm the poster boy and an advocate for Marine Stabil as far as doing what it's supposed to do on ethanol fuel as long as you let it do it's job and not get lazy like me..

 

This is my 2 1/2 story staging setup. It consists of pump jacks, ladder brackets, wall brackets. I wouldnt let the young fellas climb out, just the seasoned guys. Do what I say not what I do.
Now get your ars out there and walk the plank.

 

Thanks for this useful bit of info. It never really occurred to me that the the fuel in the carb would evaporate. I too, will either use Stabil or SeaFoam AND I try to start my machines regularly. But, there are times that I get lazy. After reading your post, I will definitely be a little more diligent when checking my machines.

 

Good to know you have a great mechanic handy, even if he is getting lazy.

 

OPT thanks for the gentle reminder. Being a cheapskate I've been running startron (couldn't they think of a not so mickey mouse name?) on all my engines (auto, quad, mowers, ect.) with great success, meaning they all fire up easy (within 5 cranks) and idle/run well after. I've found the 'small' bottle (8oz) at walmart's marine section lately for close to 10bucks (treats 128gls). Then recently i was at my local pro lawn mower shop for an oil filter and found they sold startron in the quart (treats 512 gls) size for 19bucks! woohoo!!

So question for OPT and all, do you think this startron stuff is as good as stabil marine? What's the best deal ya'll have found on the stabil brand?

Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment - HOME

 

Have some neighbors that use Start Tron and like it. I'm just set in my ways when I know something works,I just stay with it,but it's probably as good as Stabil or any other good fuel preservative out there. Main thing it has to circulate every so often or any carb could end up like mine. Except I've got 4 carbs to contend with along with synchronizing them once I get em back on..

 

Yea,I've been trying to find someone to do this for me,but all of em wanted some $.

 

Plus jgar is just plain nuts...

 

I imagine fuel injectors would do the same thing when the gas evaporates. I think I'll crank mine up tomorrow. I'm in for the day, not just lazy.

 

Imagine they can,but my son had his 2007 Suzuki Sv1000 sit up in the garage for almost two years on a tender and covered. Did have Marine Stabil in it though. Drained the old fuel anyway,cranked right up and idled perfectly.. Wish I'd been so lucky on my carbs..