Gasohol and Small Engines

[Garycw]

If you have a tank and Lykins energy near you, they have ethanol free gas. Worst problem I have is deteriorated fuel lines. They're a pain to replace on saws, blowers & weed eaters

Sent from the mountains

 

[truckdiagnostics]

Heck I am still made at them for taking the lead out of the gas, and causing all the burt valve stem issues. So, they are putting ethanol in the gas now? In all seriousness had issue with or with out the ethanol. Before the carburetors got gummed up, now the ethanol eats the fuel lines. I do believe if you used the gas without then switch to gas with ethanol that may cause issues. Use the stuff with the ethanol add the stabal when not using the equipment. Don't see where the ethanol is causing the issue directly if the engine is designed for it. I to believe the E10, goes stale faster. In the boat which is older and has a carburetor, no ethanol don't think the carburetor is going to like it.

 

[Copperhead]

The only thing that E10 gas does is expose the poor workmanship of the small motor and the lack of quality components. I have run E10 is portable generators, lawn mowers, etc for a long, long time with no ill effects. Not saying that ill effects won't happen, just saying it is the poor quality of fuel system components being used that is the culprit. Everyone likes to blame the fuel, primarily because no one wants to have to admit they bought cheaply built stuff. It is easy to blame someone else for the problem. And has been stated elsewhere, fuel sitting for extended periods of time, ethanol or non ethanol varieties, will screw up fuel systems. But that would be due to operator incompetence, but no one wants to look like a ******, so again, blame the fuel.

 

[lilranch2001]

Derrrr
If your components are poor quality (by supposedly quality manufacturers) then why expose them to poor quality gasoline?

You sure can tell the ethanol lobby on this forum
:thumbdown:

 

[Clay45]

Its not a "qualilty" issue. It used to be political in that they shoved the Ethanol program down our throats and provided growers with price guarantees. That is supposedly long over. If so the fuel retailers and or distributors and or refiners are gouging. Ethanol-free fuel should cost less shouldn't it?

My pickup has the flex-fuel system. When I lived near a station that carried E85 I used to run a tank full of it ever now and then to pull any moisture that may have collected in it but I did and still do run ethanol free most of the time. Its readily available here but for 30-40 cents per gallon more which I think is gouging.

The best way to store any engine for the winter is to warm it up, drain the tank, run it till it quits. The warm engine will help to evaporate any remaining fuel in the carb. Keep it dry and empty for the winter.

 

[Garycw]

Its not a "qualilty" issue. It used to be political in that they shoved the Ethanol program down our throats and provided growers with price guarantees. That is supposedly long over. If so the fuel retailers and or distributors and or refiners are gouging. Ethanol-free fuel should cost less shouldn't it? My pickup has the flex-fuel system. When I lived near a station that carried E85 I used to run a tank full of it ever now and then to pull any moisture that may have collected in it but I did and still do run ethanol free most of the time. Its readily available here but for 30-40 cents per gallon more which I think is gouging. The best way to store any engine for the winter is to warm it up, drain the tank, run it till it quits. The warm engine will help to evaporate any remaining fuel in the carb. Keep it dry and empty for the winter.

I've also heard the opposite. Fill the tank full so no condensation can form( rust) add stabilizer and run till it feeds through carb. This keeps things from drying out too. Then spray fogging oil in carb till it dies, then remove spark plug and spray a little in there. Turn over a few times and replace plug.

Sent from the mountains

 

[oldpilgrim]

Around here, the E10 turns real bad after about 6 months without an additive, and not just in the carburetor.

My generator had the gas go bad last winter. I forgot the Stabil in the Fall, never used it all winter and when I went to drain it in the spring, it was the color and consistency of thick dark urine, sorta like the first urine in the morning after a long night's sleep, only yellower and thicker.

When I drained it, it wouldn't even ignite with a match. Totally non flammable. I don't believe it's a water issue of any kind.

The carb had to be disassembled and soaked, then all the jets had to be cleaned out with very fine pieces of wire. Air pressure wouldn't clean it out.

I had the same thing happen with my antique cars, and my snow blower immediately after the E10 was introduced and no one knew of it's potential problems.

I have found that the same gas with 2 cycle oil added doesn't seem to go bad, as my chain saws and weed wackers always function without the stabil.

E10 is real bad stuff if you don't use it up promptly.

 

[Garandman]

The only thing that E10 gas does is expose the poor workmanship of the small motor and the lack of quality components. I have run E10 is portable generators, lawn mowers, etc for a long, long time with no ill effects. Not saying that ill effects won't happen, just saying it is the poor quality of fuel system components being used that is the culprit. Everyone likes to blame the fuel, primarily because no one wants to have to admit they bought cheaply built stuff. It is easy to blame someone else for the problem. And has been stated elsewhere, fuel sitting for extended periods of time, ethanol or non ethanol varieties, will screw up fuel systems. But that would be due to operator incompetence, but no one wants to look like a ******, so again, blame the fuel.

The local Stihl dealer says their carb repairs are up many-fold since E fuels.

 

[Will_C]

I don't know the reason, but my brother and I had to have the carbs replaced on our FS 250 trimmers this summer-both units were 5-6 years old. The dealer told me he is replacing 6-8 carbs all summer.
I switched to ethanol free this spring. I have always used fresh, treated gas in all my small engines. I'll see if the ethanol is better!

Will

 

[big bubba]

well, while on the subject...ok, i use ethanol free fuel in all my small engines (with red stabil as well). but some on this thread suggest 91/93 octane ethanol free fuel for their small engines...so what is the advantage of the higher octane of ethanol free fuel for small engines? longer stability of the fuel? please advise, the price difference of 87 vs 91 ethanol free fuel around here is quite a bit.....thx