# Ethanol fuel deterioration

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/ethanol-fuel-deterioration/78247>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** accord, honda\
**Created:** [March 25, 2013, 2:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ethanol-fuel-deterioration/78247 "2013-03-25T02:09:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@Lock](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Lock)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 2:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ethanol-fuel-deterioration/78247/1 "2013-03-25T02:09:24Z")

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I move between residences annually. I’ve had no problems disconnecting the battery on Honda Accords ( this time a 2006) while I’m gone and starting them up after as much as four months when I return. I now need to do this for eight months. Some persons have told me not to do this at all. Others have suggested that it will be okay if I use a fuel stabilizer such as Sea Foam or Sta Bil. I don’t know which of these responses is correct, and I’d appreciate your opinions.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 2:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ethanol-fuel-deterioration/78247/2 "2013-03-25T02:27:30Z")

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I use both Seafoam and Sta-Bil for fuel storage. That period of vehicle storage I would go with the Sta-Bil product. Add the product per label instructions and fill the tank prior to storage.

Tester

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**Author:** ![DS777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@DS777](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DS777)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 2:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ethanol-fuel-deterioration/78247/3 "2013-03-25T02:43:38Z")

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In addition to Sta-Bil; change out the Oil & Fuel filters before starting after 8 months. Put vehicle on jack-stands to help wheel bearings and tires. And use Sta-Bil or sea foam on the 4 month periods as well… Fuel starting leaving varnish deposits fairly soon - which ultimately is not doing the system any good - even though it starts.

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**Author:** ![DS777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@DS777](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DS777)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ethanol-fuel-deterioration/78247/4 "2013-03-25T02:47:11Z")

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Fuel starts leaving varnish deposits fairly soon… [typo correction]

Fuel gets aging in just 15 days or so… Varnish can build up - like plaque in the arteries…

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 6:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ethanol-fuel-deterioration/78247/5 "2013-03-25T06:31:37Z")

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Eight months is almost no time at all. I had a car sit for two years, no fuel stabilizer. When I finally got around to making the necessary repairs and gave it a new battery, the car started right up and ran smoothly.

Add fuel stabilizer if you will. It may not be necessary but will surely give you peace of mind.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 6:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ethanol-fuel-deterioration/78247/6 "2013-03-25T06:34:18Z")

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Sta-Bil recommends a double dose for extended periods. That’s what I’d do.