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Negative reaction to Sta-bil?
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TeeCat
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PostPosted: October 11, 2009, 1:08 pm    Post subject: Negative reaction to Sta-bil?

Anyone's bike ever had a poor reaction to this stuff? I had what I thought might have been a mild flooding issue the other day because of a full fuel tank; that has happened twice to me. But it seemed to sort itself.

Today, I added some Sta-bil to the still almost full tank. The bike started on the first kick (with ignition), but when I went to take her off the choke, she seemed to run on only one cyl, but was fine with the choke. I thought it might have just been too early to take the choke off.

In a few minutes, she settled down, but was still idling a little high and popping. I'm trying to figure if it might be the Sta-bil, or if I'm developing some other fuel delivery issue. Bike's been running fine until this last tank of gas. Bad gas would seem too easy. How common is that?

Thoughts?

TC
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pumps
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Joined: May 29, 2007
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Location: Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.- 1977 XS650 "D" Standard

PostPosted: October 11, 2009, 1:55 pm    Post subject: Re: Negative reaction to Sta-bil?

I have used Sta-Bil in all my small engine fuel (mower, weedeaters, blower) and all my various motorcycles over the last 5 or so years and have never had any issues. I wouldn't think...what is it an ounce per gallon-I always have to read the label- would have any effect on your bike. It would be quite diluted. I have used Sea Foam too. Each makes various claims.
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TeeCat
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PostPosted: October 11, 2009, 3:05 pm    Post subject: Re: Negative reaction to Sta-bil?

Well, I might have used a tad too much, but I let the bike sit for an hour or so, and then went out and started her with no choke. Fired right up and seemed essentially fine.

I still never let her come all the way up to temp, but I had set my idle at about 1500 or so, hot. Does the idle increase as the bike comes up to temp? That would make sense.

The idle is still a tiny bit slow to return, but it seems to me that a physical problem like an air leak would be constant. This is intermittent.

aybe I'm due for new in-line filters.

TC
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TeeCat
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PostPosted: October 11, 2009, 6:28 pm    Post subject: Re: Negative reaction to Sta-bil?

Also... Seafoam is actually combustible I think... but is Sta-bil?
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PostPosted: October 11, 2009, 6:53 pm    Post subject: Re: Negative reaction to Sta-bil?

Yes Sta-Bil IS combustible. A link to it's MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
www.hardwarestore.com/...612582.pdf

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TeeCat
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PostPosted: October 12, 2009, 7:42 am    Post subject: Re: Negative reaction to Sta-bil?

Thanks, pumps. I just thought that it might be interfering with combustion somehow.

I plan to replace my in-line filters when I get time. But I still have to rule out a vacuum leak somewhere. What does someone with a '73 do for carb holders? I don't see them on Mike's for that year, and the ones that are there warn against fuels containing ethanol.

So, at the moment, the only really annoying issue I'm having with this bike is intermittent idle moodiness when warm/hot. I guess I'm getting there, though!

TC
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TeeCat
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PostPosted: October 12, 2009, 10:40 am    Post subject: Re: Negative reaction to Sta-bil?

Okay... just back from a 30-minute outing... cloudy, 61 degrees F. It seems that the idle issue occurs only at op temp. If I bring her home and let her sit at hot idle, she'll sort of "hunt" - but not a really obvious one - and the engine speed does not return to idle (14/1500) as quickly as when cold/cool. Also, she'll periodically stumble at idle and almost shut off... then recover.

Valves, maybe? I'm going to have buckle down and do it. Seems like the issue is limited to idle; just off-idle and at speed performance is beautiful, I'd say. So, seem like valves could cause this? I'm getting SO close with this bike!

TC
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pumps
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PostPosted: October 13, 2009, 3:15 pm    Post subject: Re: Negative reaction to Sta-bil?

TeeCat wrote:
I'm getting SO close with this bike! TC
Somehow I think I'll be saying that as long as I OWN this bike! Shocked Shocked Shocked

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woodman
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PostPosted: October 13, 2009, 11:31 pm    Post subject: Re: Negative reaction to Sta-bil?

Never had any luck with Stabil on leaving gas in the carbs with 4 cylinders, pilot jets always plug up by springtime. I run them dry now then dump the Stabil gas in the spring & use it in my old truck. I do all my bikes like that, 14 of them
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jimdi
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PostPosted: November 4, 2009, 4:58 pm    Post subject: Re: Negative reaction to Sta-bil?

I fill and stabil the tank - and drain the carbs over winter - starts every spring just fine - and I run out the tank of gas with stabil my first 100 miles.
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dpmphoto
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PostPosted: November 20, 2009, 9:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Negative reaction to Sta-bil?

Have you sync'd the carbs lately??? I would start there also stabil or sea foam could have unstuck a piece of varnish or crud and that could be causing a problem just my 2cents
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