On Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:09:57 -0400, Jim22208
wrote:

Frogwatch wrote:
On Apr 1, 8:08 pm, HK wrote:
Eisboch wrote:

"HK" wrote in message
m...
Frogwatch wrote:
I took the Tolman back to the mechanic and he decided to look it over
while I was there. Took the cover off and he pronounced "Bad gas,
smell that varnish smell" and yes, I did. He verified spark and fuel
delivery. He sprayed starting fluid in and she she started but died
as soon as it was gas only. Yes, this gas is about 4 months old and
probably had ethanol but the tank is nearly full so I did not think
I'd get enough humidity in to matter.
He advised to NEVER buy fuel with ethanol in it and never keep fuel
for more than a couple of weeks. Unless I buy only at marinas, it
will be tough to find ethanol free fuel.
I keep gas in the tank over winter...and the motor starts the first
time in the spring.
I had my first experience with gas going bad this past winter. The JD
Gator I use to plow the driveway had been filled at the beginning of
last summer (5 gals) but not used much all summer.
I usually add Stabil when I know an engine won't be used for a while but
this time I didn't.
I always dump some Stabil in the gas engine tanks...outboards, tractor,
chainsaw, et cetera. Actually, the dealer puts the Stabil in the
outboard fuel tank.

--
Palin & Bachmann in 2012 -
All Stupidity All the Time

I gotta admit to a slight suspicion that there could be more to this.

All the pumps I've seen here in Florida are labeled up to 10% ethanol.
I'd put stabil in every tank of boat fuel and make sure you have a water
separator fuel filter mounted in the boat.

Sta-bil now has a dark colored "marine version" that is about double
the strength of the red stuff. Supposed to help somewhat with ethanol
problems, too. I doubt there is a way to completely avoid phase
separation if the gas sits more than 4 or 5 months, though.