Putting a fuel stabilizer in your two-stroke engine could be worrisome for some folks. Stabilizers have specific strains in their chemistry that protect machines, no matter what kind, from wear after being stored. So can you put a fuel stabilizer in a two-stroke?
You can put a fuel stabilizer in a two-stroke engine. The chemical make-up of the stabilizer is designed to work with any type of motor, and the number of cylinders on the machine has no impact on how well it works.
For some folks, engines are like a foreign language. They know a few keywords and phrases, but they are lost in the sauce beyond that. Don’t sweat it! Read on and learn everything you need to know about putting a fuel stabilizer in your two-stroke engine.
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How Fuel Stabilizer Works in an Engine
The thing to remember about a stabilizer is that it is designed to protect the interior moving parts of the engine from water. Water will make the gasoline break down inside an engine, lose its power, and weaken the oil inside. Weakened oil and water particles will form rust and destroy an engine from the inside out.
How a fuel stabilizer protects an engine:
- Removes Water – The most significant way a stabilizer protects your two-stroke engine is by removing water particles. These are tiny bits of water that form in spaces where there could be damp storage or areas where the engine isn’t protected from dew. The stabilizer works to dry out the water particles and keep the sensitive parts safe.
- Encourages Viscosity – The oil in a two-stroke can be corrupted by water particles. Having a stabilizer additive increases the opportunity for the oil to stay viscous and easily lubricate the moving parts inside the machine. Viscosity also promotes longevity in the two-stroke.
A stabilizer is a good idea if you plan to store the engine for the season. It promotes a dry area inside the machine and will keep it ready to go for its next job. Two-stroke engines are known to be workhorses, and they must be protected inside and out to continue working for more than a few years.
How to Add Fuel Stabilizer to a Two-Stroke Engine
The best way to ensure that your mower reaches high-level performance is by adding a fuel stabilizer before storage. It protects the inside of the engine and will ensure that there are no in-depth repairs to be made.
How to add a fuel stabilizer to a two-stroke engine:
- Run the Engine – The first thing to do is let the engine run for a few minutes. By allowing some of the gas to run out, there is a chance that some tiny bits of debris and water particles will be flushed out in the process.
- Measure the Stabilizer – Adding too much of the fluid to your gas or mixture will be disastrous for the machine. By checking the size of the engine, the gas tank, in particular, you can check the owner’s manual and measure out the precise amount needed to keep the two-stroke in working order.
- Add to Tank – Using a funnel, place the stabilizer in your gas or mixture of gas and oil. Sometimes pouring straight from the bottle is not a good idea and having the fluid sat to the side in a measured container is your best bet.
- Store the Machine – Once the fluids are in the machine and run a few more minutes, it is time to let it rest. Machines do tons of labor for us, and taking care of them when we are not using them will add years to their life.
Once the stabilizer has done its magic, you will be able to depend on your two-stroke engine for years to come. Unfortunately, the most challenging part of maintaining engines is also the most rewarding in the long run. So keep an eye on your machines over the season, and a stabilizer in the engines is a five-minute fix that will improve the life of your engine.
Times to Use a Fuel Stabilizer on Your Two-Stroke Engine
Now that you have a firm grip on adding the engine stabilizer, it is time to find out when to use it. You can’t just slosh a bit into the machine every time you are going on vacation or won’t be cutting the lawn for a few weeks.
A few times to add a stabilizer to your mower are:
- Winter Climate – If you are storing a two-stroke engine in a cold-weather environment, you will need to watch it. The cold weather is wet with snow and will stick to every engine part. Adding some stabilizer will ensure that the gas and oil stay viable and allow the engine to crank in cold temperatures.
- Water Vehicles – A two-stroke motor used on lakes and oceans could have tons more water inside the engine than you would imagine. While some two-strokes are made for marine use, keeping them primed with a stabilizer is never a bad idea.
- Wet Climates – There are parts of the country that will be soggy during the spring and the first part of summer. These places have high humidity and could damage the engines with excess dew in the morning and wild thunderstorms in the evenings.
The time to use a fuel stabilizer on your two-stroke engine is when you expect excessive water or condensation build-up. These times should be regular unless you work with boats or jet skis. Those could require a more steady approach to combat invasive water particles.
Conclusion
You can add a fuel stabilizer to your two-stroke engine with no worries. However, ensure that you don’t add too much as it could force the engine to misfire. The fluid is designed to keep water out of the gas and moving parts and isn’t suitable as a combustible.
Always take the time to maintain your two-stroke engines. By ignoring their surroundings, you open the door for water to invade the gas tank, which will lead to uneven running, which could spell disaster for your machine.
SOURCES
https://www.mcnallyinstitute.com/can-i-use-fuel-stabilizer-in-two-stroke-engine-fuel/
https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/what-to-know-about-fuel-stabilizers/