Fuel Stabilizer: The Test Results

manufacturer claims the product helps prevent corrosion and degradation in ethanol-based fuels and protects the motor from harmful side effects of alcohol combustion

after 9 months, both the stabilizer-treated and untreated E85 samples showed a lot of corrosion on the aluminum; stabilizer did not prevent corrosion, though the residue had a different (golden) color

the stabilizer-treated E10 sample had less corrosion than the untreated E10 sample, though some corrosion still formed on the bottom of the aluminum

no corrosion occurred on the aluminum with or without stabilizer, even with water contamination present

both stabilizer-treated and untreated E85 (no added water) showed significant corrosion after storage; stabilizer made no visible difference

E10 with stabilizer had a very small amount of corrosion; E10 without stabilizer had a small amount of corrosion beginning as well

no corrosion on components with or without stabilizer

a carburetor left filled with ethanol fuel had a tremendous, irreparable amount of corrosion once the bowl was removed

components exposed to ethanol-based fuel (E85 and E10) felt stiffer than those exposed to non-ethanol fuel; host called this a subjective assessment with no reliable measurement method used

using fuel stored for nearly a year: E10 without stabilizer would not run even with starting fluid; E10 with stabilizer also would not run (spark plug wet); non-ethanol fuel without stabilizer ran after a boost of starting fluid; non-ethanol fuel with stabilizer also ran, giving about 2 minutes of run time after repeated starting fluid applications