Ready to go this season?

[om21braz]

Here it is 80+ degrees today and I decided to get the saw ready for use. Having been empty since probably March, I filled with good fuel, choked it, pulled 4 times until pop. Cut choke back and started up on 2nd pull. Hope your start is as uneventful as mine.

 

[Thomas]

I believe that's the key "empty" gas when done/storage...Just don't know what could be added in fuel nowadays.

 

[motownbrowne]

I just picked up a ported Stihl ms660. Only made a couple of test cuts, but it comes from a very well regarded builder. Can't wait for firewood season to begin in earnest. Here she is wearing a 32" bar.

 

[LD1]

All mine started without incident this year.

Dads dolmar PS350 had a fuel line go. All cracked and falling apart.

I am not really convinced that storing the saws dry is the answer either. I have done it both ways, and anymore....I just dont worry about it. I never know when my "last" cutting is gonna be. We cut wood this past weekend. Might cut next weekend.....or things may come up and not cut for another 2 months. Saws went back on the shelf the same way they came out of the woods. Some may be empty, some may be clear full, some may be half tank.

Its impossible to get every last drop of gas out of the saw and carb. And leaving the little residue there to dry up/evaporate, and let diaphragms dry out, creates another set of problems not that different than leaving ethanol tainted fuel in there IMO.

But on the bright side, I did learn of a station close by where I can get 91 octane ethanol free fuel:thumbsup: Bad part is, its crazy expensive. 91 octane everywhere else was ~$2.45 last week. This ethanol free fuel was $3.65. Crazy that its $1.20 higher than high octane elsewhere, and with the 87 octane stuff being ~$2.15......

Still, I think I am gonna fill all my gas cans up with the ethanol free stuff next year. Cause this year, I went through ~40 gallons between the saws, splitter, mower, ATV, etc. An extra $60/yr aint gonna break the bank.

Still dont understand why we can run this ethanol in cars and trucks, and not have any fuel line or seal problems. But small engines........can they not use fuel lines and carb diaphragms that are ethanol-proof?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

My saws get used throughout the year... This pict. is from yesterday,

NONE of my small gas engines see any ethanol, anymore! So far, all of my carb/fuel line problems have went away! SO, it's been worth paying more for NO E fuel.

SR

 

[jack707]

My saws get used throughout the year... This pict. is from yesterday,

NONE of my small gas engines see any ethanol, anymore! So far, all of my carb/fuel line problems have went away! SO, it's been worth paying more for NO E fuel.

SR

91 octane on all outside equipment

Here it is 80+ degrees today and I decided to get the saw ready for use. Having been empty since probably March, I filled with good fuel, choked it, pulled 4 times until pop. Cut choke back and started up on 2nd pull. Hope your start is as uneventful as mine.

 

[LD1]

No benefit to 91 octane at all unless either:

A: the engine specifys it....or
B: it is ethanol free, or of lower ethanol content than 87

If neither of those are true, then you are wasting money

 

[jack707]

No benefit to 91 octane at all unless either:

A: the engine specifys it....or
B: it is ethanol free, or of lower ethanol content than 87

If neither of those are true, then you are wasting money

B! I learned even the guys at the small engine place say use 91 stay away from 86

 

[LD1]

B! I learned even the guys at the small engine place say use 91 stay away from 86

If the engines spec high test....then absolutely. Lot of 2-strokes do, like pro-grade saws.

But my lawn mower, 2 ATV's, logsplitter, etc. It's a waste.

Big MYTH that everyone thinks it's more "pure" or "higher refined" or "more powerful".

Think about it....they used to use lead...don't know what they use now.....but they put stuff in gas that makes it HARDER to ignite. Higher octane is HARDER to ignite than regular. So of course. ..let's use that in small engines which can be difficult to start already.

Oh, and there hasn't been 86 around here for years. 87,89, 91, and sometimes 93.

 

[jack707]

If the engines spec high test....then absolutely. Lot of 2-strokes do, like pro-grade saws.

But my lawn mower, 2 ATV's, logsplitter, etc. It's a waste.

Big MYTH that everyone thinks it's more "pure" or "higher refined" or "more powerful".

Think about it....they used to use lead...don't know what they use now.....but they put stuff in gas that makes it HARDER to ignite. Higher octane is HARDER to ignite than regular. So of course. ..let's use that in small engines which can be difficult to start already.

Oh, and there hasn't been 86 around here for years. 87,89, 91, and sometimes 93.

It's not more power just don't want ethanol that's just gums up the insides of my saw

 

[LD1]

It's not more power just don't want ethanol that's just gums up the insides of my saw

Did you even read my post?

I clearly stated there were only two things that make 91 a wise choice.

1. If the engine is high enough compression, or forced induction, that lower octane causes knocking....and thus the manual will spec high octane.

2. If the higher octane gas has less, or no ethanol.

All the other reasons commonly mentioned are total BS.

And just because you buy 91, absolutely does NOT mean it's ethanol free.

Again, read the posts before you comment and.look like a fool

 

[jack707]

Did you even read my post?

I clearly stated there were only two things that make 91 a wise choice.

1. If the engine is high enough compression, or forced induction, that lower octane causes knocking....and thus the manual will spec high octane.

2. If the higher octane gas has less, or no ethanol.

All the other reasons commonly mentioned are total BS.

And just because you buy 91, absolutely does NOT mean it's ethanol free.

Again, read the posts before you comment and.look like a fool

I know 91 might have ethanol the trucker put the gas in the wrong tank sometimes!.small engines do like ethanol.

 

[jack707]

Did you even read my post?

I clearly stated there were only two things that make 91 a wise choice.

1. If the engine is high enough compression, or forced induction, that lower octane causes knocking....and thus the manual will spec high octane.

2. If the higher octane gas has less, or no ethanol.

All the other reasons commonly mentioned are total BS.

And just because you buy 91, absolutely does NOT mean it's ethanol free.

Again, read the posts before you comment and.look like a fool

I could say the same about you! I just rather use 91 in my chainsaw that's all no need to argue .

 

[LD1]

I know 91 might have ethanol the trucker put the gas in the wrong tank sometimes!.small engines do like ethanol.

Wrong. Ethanol in 91 octane isn't because some residue or using the wrong tank. It's because it's blended and delivered that way just like 87.

All pump has is allowed to have up to 10% ethanol. Many states don't even have to tell you or have it labeled at the pumps. Ohio happens to be one of them.

This was more a concern 4-5 years ago, because you really had no idea what you were buying. But ethanol free gas has become so rare, it's worth labeling as such, and charging $1+ more per gallon for ethanol free vs the same octane e10.

So it has nothing to do with trucker using wrong tank, or hose contamination, or any other fantasy you believe in.

But you are lucky, you live in Wisconsin. State law requires there to be a label if ANY amount of ethanol is added. So you may very well be getting e-free 91 if the pump isn't labeled as containing ethanol. But, there is NO law prohibiting up to 10% blend in 91. Again, lucky you because Wisconsin requires that to be disclosed, unlike Ohio.

 

[4570Man]

I keep my equipment gassed up year round with ethanol free gas. I've never had any problems with it sitting 6 months or so. Around here ethanol free gas is easy to come by, and cost about 50 cents more a gallon. I might spend $100 a year more on ethanol free gas. It's a lot less now that my mower is diesel.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

91 octane on all outside equipment

That 2260 is running on E0 95 octane...

SR

 

[motownbrowne]

LD1 is right, us Wisconsinites are lucky. Around here anyway. I can buy ethanol free premium (91 octane) at two stations in town. Costs about $.50/gallon more than regular, which is 10% ethanol. All the other stations in town have ethanol in the premium. In the next town over I can buy ethanol free mid grade (89 octane). That's only about $.20 more than regular.

Personally, I use Stabil in whichever ethanol free fuel I buy. Most of my gasoline gets mixed (only have two 4-stroke small engines these days). Sometimes my mix oil has stabilizers, sometimes not. I switch it up every now and again.

Like Rob, I run my stuff pretty often. Saws anyways. I suppose I'll have to decide what to do with my new string trimmer over the winter. I think I'll buy a can of Tru fuel and fill it with that for storage.

 

[LD1]

LD1 is right, us Wisconsinites are lucky. Around here anyway. I can buy ethanol free premium (91 octane) at two stations in town. Costs about $.50/gallon more than regular, which is 10% ethanol. All the other stations in town have ethanol in the premium. In the next town over I can buy ethanol free mid grade (89 octane). That's only about $.20 more than regular.

Yea, thats dang lucky.

Here in central ohio......87 octane with ethanol Lets say its $2.20 per gallon. (dont know what it actually is, havent filled up since about a week ago). So with that as a baseline......

89 w/ethanol would be ~$2.35
91 w/ethanol would be ~$2.50
91 e-free would be in the $3.60 ballpark. And no, thats not at a marina, where I am sure it would be even higher

 

[motownbrowne]

Yea, thats dang lucky.

Here in central ohio......87 octane with ethanol Lets say its $2.20 per gallon. (dont know what it actually is, havent filled up since about a week ago). So with that as a baseline......

89 w/ethanol would be ~$2.35
91 w/ethanol would be ~$2.50
91 e-free would be in the $3.60 ballpark. And no, thats not at a marina, where I am sure it would be even higher

Well sir, why don't you load up them Dolmars and your gas cans and make a trip up here. You can load up on e-free mid grade. I'll pay you to do the hydraulic improvements you did on your MX to my MX while you're up here. Maybe you need a parts tractor for that 8N too...

 

[LD1]

Would me nice to get e-free mid grade, ant not much of a premium$$$$. But a trip to Wisc just ain't in the cards.

No longer have the n either.

Appreciate the offer though. You are welcome to come down here for a hydraulic upgrage though. And load up on high dollar e-free