Just purchased a new supply of Sta-Bil 'Marine Formula' (blue) that has redesigned label graphics.
The new label omits the old label's prominent bold lettered statement..."Ethanol Treatment"
Does anyone know if this means the contents have been reformulated?
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I think I've come up with a logical answer to my own question...a bit paranoid, but logical !!
In my scenario the contents of Sta-Bil haven't changed at all...but the administration (EPA?) has pressured the industry to refrain from bashing Ethanol additive gasoline as an inferior, even component destructive, fuel...Promoting Sta-Bil as an "Ethanol Treatment" is most certainly saying exactly that!
Carl, what about over the counter fluids that are specifically promoted as ethanol treatments? I saw some in a local store a couple of days ago.
Hey, Hoss...I told you I was paranoid!
I just put 1.5+-oz. of their red treatment in my Speedster and a pint of Seafoam with a new tank of 93 octane.
Now there's an interesting question...
Because Ethanol separates over time from petroleum is it wiser to hibernate the speedster with a full gas tank plus additives (SeaFoam, Sta-Bil) or just enough to drive to the gas station come Spring to fill up?
What Marty said is so important he said it twice. 
Full, with whatever additives you prefer.
The goal is to have as little air in the tank as possible. Put your additives in, then fill 'er up. I keep clicking the pump until the gas is all the way up the filler neck.
Why top off the tank, you might ask? ( I know, you didn't actually ask that, but I could see your lips moving).
Miraculously, the interior of gas tanks (at least VW gas tanks) seem to rust less if the walls are submerged in gas. They really start to rust once the gas level is reduced or the tank is empty - the air within seems to start/accelerate the rusting process (being a big part of the 'oxide' in the iron Oxide or rust).
I've found that it also helps to drive around for five minutes or so to insure that the stabilized fuel gets into the float bowls of the carbs, then I top it off with a bit more gas from my lawn mower/snow blower stash just to really fill it, but I only get to within 1/2" of the bottom of the filler neck. All this has worked for the past 15 years.
If I take her out during the winter I tend to be too lazy to go through all that again and just toss in a bit more Stabil Blue to match however much more gas I add. I've also been known to use some of the Speedster gas for my emergency generator if needed. Nice to have an extra 8 gallons or so kicking around......
Be sure to allow room for expansion of cold gas from the underground tank.
I made the mistake of filling my tank to the top now the top bulges up.
I thought that Stabil blue was for marine or 2 cycle engines. Explain please.
Thx.
Hoss
John--I called the tech guy at the Stabil co and was told that the blue is the same stuff as the red---it's just concentrated. I use it on road trips as an ethanol treatment--it's great because I can use a lot less than the red formula. I usually fill wnen it takes 7 1/2 gal to top off and I add 3/4 oz of the blue marine formula to 7 1/2 gal.
In town I can get ethanol free fuel--not on the road tho.
Couple of years ago 'oldgeezer' posted a site that provides information in locating Ethanol Free Gasoline:
I think I see the influence of tree-hugging politics at our gas pumps:
Republican Wisconsin has over 680 Ethanol-free filling stations to choose from
California has 8 !!
Connecticut has 1 !!!
Alaska doesn't sell ANY ETHANOL DILUTED GAS !!!!
Hey Lane,...
Forget Sta-Bil, you lucky bugger...
In Charleston you can fill up with 93 octane Ethanol-free at Piggly Wiggly!
Yeah, there are several ethanol free (premium only) stations near my house. I keep a bottle of ethanol treatment handy just in case I get caught out somewhere that the good stuff is unavailable, but that hasn't happened in a while. I am also fortunate that my car never sits for more than a week or two, usually due to rain instead of cold.
