Fuel additives do you use them?

[Dutch]

Back in 2002 when I had an opportunity to sell my Merc 225 EFI and get a below wholesale DFI Optimax from Charlie Luna I asked the boss what he thought about it.  His response was to use Merc Quickleen in every fill up.  I followed the advice and got 14 trouble free years out of that motor.

When I bought my 250 Verado the recommendation was to use Quickleen as well as Qiuckcare.  We are into 8 trouble free years and going strong with never even a hint of failure to start or run smooth.

Do you guys use additives?

[nomolites]

12 minutes ago, Dutch said:

Back in 2002 when I had an opportunity to sell my Merc 225 EFI and get a below wholesale DFI Optimax from Charlie Luna I asked the boss what he thought about it.  His response was to use Merc Quickleen in every fill up.  I followed the advice and got 14 trouble free years out of that motor.

When I bought my 250 Verado the recommendation was to use Quickleen as well as Qiuckcare.  We are into 8 trouble free years and going strong with never even a hint of failure to start or run smooth.

Do you guys use additives?

Yes, as directed by the OEM.  13 years so far on my Opti, 10 on my ProKicker.  At a minimum, I don’t believe it hurts.

Mike

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

no way, just dont let my gas ever set for more than a week.  I think that crap is just a money grab from Merc

[fishinwrench]

I can tell you THIS:   

On a computer controlled, fuel injected engine.....it shouldn't matter whether there is any additives in the fuel, or not. 

On analog carbureted engines.....any type of additive in the fuel.... is detrimental.  

[Dutch]

17 hours ago, aarchdale@coresleep.com said:

no way, just dont let my gas ever set for more than a week.  I think that crap is just a money grab from Merc

Can you go into detail about this?  Several thoughts are bouncing around in my head.

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Ive just never understood how a company can make a internal combustion engine that "has to rely on additives".  At what Merc charges for their additives I don't blame them for saying you that they are required .  If you go buy a new truck or car they don't tell you to run additives.  Back when I had an Optimax I ran all that stuff because I thought I needed to and then I quit because I was tired of paying so much for every tank of gas and never had an issue. Fresh gas goes a long way in my opinion. Only put in what you plan on using that day

[tjm]

So do you just buy a half gallon at a time, or do you pour out the excess? where? There are weeks when my car doesn't use over a gallon or two  of gas, so what should I do with all that is left over that week because I was stupid and bought a tankful?

As far as additives being detrimental, I'd have to guess that must depend on the exact additive in question, because all pump gas gets a dose of additives before it comes out of the hose.

[MrGiggles]

No. Stabilizers have their place I suppose. I have used them once or twice in the past, but not much anymore.

I'm not convinced that an additive is going to do any cleaning to speak of, especially at such a low concentration. Gasoline is a pretty good solvent itself. 

Most quality mix oils already contain a fuel stabilizer. I started up a cutoff saw today that had been sitting since 2018, sniff of ether and a top-up of fresh premix, ran like a champ. 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

1 hour ago, tjm said:

So do you just buy a half gallon at a time, or do you pour out the excess? where? There are weeks when my car doesn't use over a gallon or two  of gas, so what should I do with all that is left over that week because I was stupid and bought a tankful?

As far as additives being detrimental, I'd have to guess that must depend on the exact additive in question, because all pump gas gets a dose of additives before it comes out of the hose.

I would buy electric if you use that little of gas lol.  I think Fuel is such a weird thing as far as where you get it. I think 4 stroke outboards and cars are less picky than say my old Carbed outboard.  I have a X5 diesel and if put Casey's diesel in it it throws and injector code every time, So i fill up basically anywhere else with 0 problems

[tjm]

Still doesn't explain how you never let fuel set for a week or more. Cars, boats, lawn mowers, tractors, etc.  all have more down time than actual use time.  And most have fuel tanks that hold more than is needed for a single use.