Does Fuel Stabilizer Prevent Ethanol Damage? Let's find out!

E85, E10 and non-ethanol gasoline compared after 9 months of storage with and without fuel stabilizer (Lucas Safeguard Ethanol Fuel Conditioner with Stabilizers) to determine if fuel stabilizer prevents corrosion and keeps gasoline from becoming stale.

Products Tested in This Video:

Videography Equipment:

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This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. Project Farm LLC

[gtgb]

Hey! I'm an engine design engineer that's designed fuel systems and engines from big diesels to small 2-strokes. You mentioned not having a way to measure the effect on the rubber components. The 2 biggest problems with elastomers exposed to ethanol are swell and embrittlement. You can measure swelling by measuring dimensions (or volume) before and after, or you can measure mass change (be sure to dry the sample out before weighing). For embrittlement the best way to measure is measuring durometer. Without having a durometer tester you can use a fixed load to press a dull point (like a punch) into the elastomer and measure how deep it sinks into the sample under this load.


I used to design consumer-grade 2-stroke outdoor power equipment. I'd always tell people if you use E10 the degradation of elastomers (fuel lines, carburetor diaphragms, etc...) will kill your product long before the engine dies.


Really enjoyed the video.

[thisbenfeller]

Another experiment that is multiple months (nearly a year) in the making! This is why you are just plain awesome. All without big box sponsorships.

[halflife]

This is such a great video. As a small engine mechanic I really appreciate all the time you spent, especially taking time to do this one. I “knew” this but seeing the proof is so satisfying. Thank you again!

[martinschulz]

My experience. I used ethanol gas in my small engines for years before I learned that non ethanol fuel was available in my area. I religiously used sta bil stabilizer and not once had any trouble with carburetors or phase separation. In that time the small engine shops were swamped with ethanol related carburetor issues.

[oAvalono]

I love how serious you take this, it makes me feel respect for what you do

[vinny]

I seriously never write comments but your videos have the least bias test (if any) I have seen I'm sure I speak for a lot of us when I say awesome content and extremely informative and somehow interesting 👍👍

[johnvandenburgh]

Pretty interesting video, confirming many of my thoughts on ethanol. I do small engine repair and have seen carburetors become damaged beyond repair after a machine sits for a year. When I was a young man (circa 1972-1978) I mowed the grass at my parents house. I used a Toro Reel Mower, I never had a problem firing it up and it was used pretty regularly. Ethanol had not come into the picture yet. From time to time over the years after I moved out I went and mowed for my mom. She hired gardeners and they never used that old mower. Every time I went and mowed for my mom that old machine fired right up. There were several times I didn't mow her grass with that machine for well over a year, even 2 or 3 years and it always fired right up.

[AndyDepwe]

I just watched some click bait video about you, Todd. In they said you have likely earned upwards, if not more than 2 million dollars for the videos you’ve created. You’ve earned every penny. You make great videos that have taught me a lot and saved me money. Keep up the awesome work and I hope you make 2 million more!!! Thanks for all you do.

[fleghel]

Dude, that’s a lot of work to bust some myths and end some “never ending” debates....
THANK YOU!!!

[FishFind]

Perfect timing since we are going into winter storage soon.

[techmike]

As soon as ethanol came out, all my lawn equipment started crapping out. Corrosion, brittle lines, weird yellow gummy buildup in the carb bowls. It didn't take very long for these issues to start occurring, maybe 6 months? I started using ethanol free gas for my outside equipment and warned friends and family. Great video.

[OlysGarage]

This is a FANTASTIC video comparison of what effects Ethanol in fuel has on older conventional fuel systems. As a classic car restorer, everybody knows that most car hobbyists use their classic car much like a motorcycle and small gas engine- Seasonal. And we endure the same fate as they do every time spring hits and we want to take our cars out. I've been hoping to find someone that did a well thought out and well presented video so show proof of what I've been preaching locally since E10 became the standard at all our local pumps. Your comprehensive testing is FANTASTIC and showing proof of the ill effects of Ethanol in fuel in limited use engines and fuel systems. I believe it's also to blame for a rise in vehicle fires from degrading fuel lines without people's knowledge. I had a few instances I luckily caught before it became a fire hazard! (ate right through the fuel line itself) So thank you for doing this video! I will certainly share it around to make sure others are informed!

[CubNole]

I didn’t know that this was the video I’ve waited my whole life for until you uploaded it.
Thank you for your hard work!

[niceguy]

I immediately went to drain the tanks and ran the carbs empty on my mowers, weed eaters, saws and powerwasher for the winter👍 thanks again

[Eric_W]

Thank you Todd, I'm glad you enjoy doing these things for us everyday people! You, good sir, are a HUGE ASSET to us all! Your honest straight forward opinion is invaluable to many of us, so thank you for that! What I like most about your videos is you're just like us people watching... a normal person that (assuming here) doesn't have a degree in sciences to help us better understand what we're getting/buying. You perform tests exactly the way a normal person would and your explanations are as thorough as possible! What I don't understand is why these businesses can claim something about their product when they know it's BS! You really help us see the "just gimme your money" companies out there which is needed now-a-days!!

[watsoft]

The UK has recently started using E10 fuel as "regular petrol" and I was interested to watch this video for the effect on both automotive and small engines. Thank you for such thorough testing.

[Matt-dclp]

This is why it's worth the extra couple bucks to only use ethanol free fuels for your small engines (mower, whipper, snowblower, etc).

[wizzells]

Would love to see this comparison with various brands, specifically:
Sta-bil
Star Tron
Sea Foam.

[usethenoodle]

I have an outlet, a rural station that carries Non E fuel in 93 octane. In that area, there are a lot of farms, and the Gifford Pinchot Nat. Forrest, a Valhalla for Dirt Bikes, and ATV's in summer and snowmobilers in winter. It's expensive at ~$2.00 more per gallon than regular E-10 but they have it. I have done the water test on it to be sure it's the real deal and it passed. No Alcohol present. At the end of snowmobile season, I bring 10 gallons home- about 40 miles away and it's gets me through the summer with all my portable power equipment. This was a great video and I really appreciate you making it. 10/10 with two thumbs up!

[andyschad]

I was told many years ago by a 2-cycle oil manufacturer executive that these oils are natural fuel stabilizers. Since then, I've been using a little 2-stroke synthetic Amsoil in my seasonal engines to keep the fuel fresh enough to carry over to the next season. This has worked very well in all cases; lawn mowers, boat and snowmobiles to be specific. Would be great to see a test of this method v. commercially available stabilizers, which appear to have limited benefit.