STA-BIL vs Yamalube?

Blaugrana

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Does anybody use STA-BIL Marine Ethanol Treatment and Fuel Stabilizer? Or is Yamalube (incl Ring Free) the preferred fuel stabilizer/ additive?

Reason I ask is that Amazon has the 32 oz marine version currently on sale for $6.80. Below is the link. Believe Walmart matched it at $8. Debating if its worth using or not. I have an OX66 225

STA-BIL 22240 32 oz. 360 Marine Ethanol Treatment and Fuel Stabilizer, 32oz
 

DennisG01

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The link shows $8 for the quart. You're asking if spending 2-1/2 cents per gallon is a good idea? Seriously? Wait, never mind... I see you're from Jersey. I understand, now. :)

That's insanely low. Buy that before they realized they messed up on the price. Personally, I use Startron and RingFree. But definitely also use RingFree.

These kind of threads pop up every now and again - and if you do some searching, you'll find them and you can do some reading. They often end up like a automotive forum "which oil is best". Do yourself a favor and don't think overthink it. Use whichever additives (brand) you want and just go boating.
 

Blaugrana

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Thanks for the quick responses. I went ahead and bought a couple on “subscribe and save”...Hopefully, they eventually come!
 

Doc Stressor

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Ringfree is not a stabilizer. If you use Ringfree for deposit control you still need to use a fuel stabilizer. If you use StaBil, you should still use Ringfree for deposit control. Particularly for a 2-stroke.
 

Parthery

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Chevron Techron Marine is a new option....and for less than Ring-Free.
 

DennisG01

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Chevron Techron Marine is a new option....and for less than Ring-Free.
I've been wondering that for some time. I've had such good success with RF (O2 sensor and "thimble" are VERY clean, for example), though, that I'm reluctant to try it until I find out some definitive information. Or, maybe, I should say I'm "a fraidy cat"... ;)
 

Fishtales

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Can double the ring free early in the season for a tank if the boat has been sitting.
 

seasick

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When Ring Free's cost exceeded $50 a quart, I started to try other options. To be honest, my motor is 19 years old and at this point, I don't know if it is all that critical what carbon treatment I use.
 

Doc Stressor

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The original Ringfree was made by a Chevron subsidiary and the active ingredient was Techron. I would not hesitate for a minute to use the new Techron Marine since it is a proven technology from an established company. It contains both Techron and a fuel stabilizer with a treat rate of 1 oz per 10 gallons. It's $72.93 for 128 oz on Amazon. That treats 1,280 gallons of fuel.

Chevron Techron Marine

I'm going to switch over as soon as my current case of Ringfree runs out.
 

Parthery

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JIP40 and I split a case of Ring Free once a year. It's about $35/qt. when we buy a case from DOMO. In the small bottles, Amazon has Techron Marine at $11/for 10 oz, so the price is essentially the same.

That said, a gallon of Techron is $73 and would treat 1280 gallons of fuel. The same amount of Ring Free would be around $140

That said....I also swear by PRI-G which seems to only be available on Amazon. That combination has been good to me for years.
 

Fishtales

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Stabilizer at layup is the need, rest of time piece of mind. Ringfree piece of mind and 1/2 your wallet to Yamaha!
 
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DennisG01

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Interesting on the Chevron. Gonna look into that a little more.

If I had a 4-stroke, I wouldn't be using Ringfree. But with a 2-stroke, I know it is helpful. I'm basing this on how clean my VST tank/filter/fuel (Startron helps there, of course, too) is, along with the O2 sensor and O2 "barbell" joint thingy. I once stopped in a Yamaha dealer with it and the O2 sensor to make sure I got the correct gasket. The svc manager looked at the items and the first thing he said was "You must use Ringfree". He said there is a huge difference between engines that regularly see RF and those that don't.

Concerning stabilizer... If I went through fuel as fast as I went through it in a car, I wouldn't worry about it. But I don't - gas goes bad too quickly now a days. Besides, it does (supposed to anyways) help keep things clean in the fuel system.