Sta-bil Stumble?

[Slashsevenpig]

In 35 years since I reached legal adulthood (practical adulthood is proving to be far more elusive), I have not used anything in my fuel tanks for winter storage. Nor have I drained gasoline, either. This includes motorcycles, lawnmowers, a chipper, a snow-blower, and a pressure washer over the course of a year in Midwestern USA.

Robert sez:

If it is not needed to keep gas usable during long term storage, it's just extra crap in your gas.

I agree. Not to mention money out the window. I just used my 21 year-old chipper yesterday. It usually gets used once per year, in the autumn. I topped off the fuel tank and started it up. I do store it with clean engine oil, however; it only takes a half-quart.

Does anyone remember the fuel additive called "HEET" before ethanol gas? The local gas station had garbage cans overflowing with empty HEET bottles right before the arrival of a cold snap. I'd have a silent chuckle. Right or wrong, the media can be a powerful influence.

[vespajg]

Sta-bil is supposed to be 2 oz. to 5 gallons, so you did go a little heavy with it. That could be the problem.

I knew I was a bit on the heavy side and anticipated that could be the problem. Dilution is the solution to pollution, or so some say...I suspect it'll even out when I top off the tank. Just never experienced a Sta-bil induced stumble before.

I read somewhere that Seafoam has alcohol in it, whereas Sta-bil does not. And I've read that isn't necessarily a good thing, but I suppose in moderation, none of these products do much harm; alternatively, they might not be needed at all. I appreciate both points of view...and it seems that along with each point of view comes an experience one way or the other. Now, what oil was that again...

[spo123]

I would bet that this issue of "stumble" MIGHT just be from something either loose or worn in the spark plug wires, spark plug cap(s), coil connections......even points, etc....
Do not be surprised!
Then again, I could be incorrect.....
DOUBLE CHECK ALL ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS and as GSPD said......clean and grease.
Ride Safe!
spo

[vespajg]

I'll take a look, but it would be AMAZINGLY coincidental if that was the case. In my experience, electrical stumbles feel a bit more "fatal"...almost like the engine cutting out. This is a much more subtle loss of power. Then again, my experience might just be wrong! I'll check it out...

[Major Softie]

I'll take a look, but it would be AMAZINGLY coincidental if that was the case.

While that may be true, "AMAZINGLY coincidental" failures frequently confound both amateur and professional mechanics because we always assume that the problem must be related to whatever work was done recently. While that seems perfectly logical, it is amazing how frequently it turns out not to be true.

IOW's, "AMAZINGLY coincidental" occurrences seem to occur AMAZINGLY frequently.

[Zombie Master]

Rob, why would you put your tank in your car?

Excellent question

[Jean]

Since it's a /5, and you did not mention any "modern" ignition changes...it COULD be the capacitor going out to lunch.
First signs of bad cap. is intermittent stumble.
(Ask me how I know)

[vespajg]

Jean - how tricky is it to replace the capacitor? Disconnect the battery, remove the front cover and pop in the replacement? I haven't tested anything yet, but if that's it, I'd like to dig into it myself.

[Major Softie]

Jean - how tricky is it to replace the capacitor? Disconnect the battery, remove the front cover and pop in the replacement?

Yes

[Deleted User 287]

Jean - how tricky is it to replace the capacitor? Disconnect the battery, remove the front cover and pop in the replacement?

Yes

But don't throw away the old one until you KNOW it is the culprit.

1) they are expensive (for what they are)

2) if it is good, you will want to keep it for a spare - and carry it with you it you go on a trip.