Winter Mower Storage. Drain the gas? Stabil? Start it once a month?

[MossRoad]

Well..... I have forgotten the alternatives listed in previous posts, other than using Stabil.
I never indicated that I needed, or wanted, 100 octane!
What I want, and need, is zero ethanol content!
Where would you suggest that I purchase non-ethanol gasoline?

You want non-ethanol gas, but you don't need non-ethanol gas.

 

[Peter 315]

Well..... I have forgotten the alternatives listed in previous posts, other than using Stabil.
I never indicated that I needed, or wanted, 100 octane!
What I want, and need, is zero ethanol content!
Where would you suggest that I purchase non-ethanol gasoline?

Here you go but pricey. My buddy just bought a 5 gal can yesterday..........https://www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/fluids-and-lubrication/fuel-additives/7795990

 

[fried1765]

Your locale dictates IF you can buy it at all. In RURAL Iowa, Casey's sells it. Not available in Illinois or Indiana. Many outdoor equipment places sell it, but it's really expensive.

The state law here is: "No non-ethanol fuel may be dispensed from a pump"

 

[fried1765]

You want non-ethanol gas, but you don't need non-ethanol gas.

I am pleased to be informed what I "need"!

 

[fried1765]

Here you go but pricey. My buddy just bought a 5 gal can yesterday..........https://www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/fluids-and-lubrication/fuel-additives/7795990

Yeah.....I already knew that... $16.00 per gallon.
100LL is $6:00 per gallon, and that is bad enough.

I think you can buy non-ethanol at some stations in NH.

 

[buck12]

I need non-ethanol fuel. I have two ATVs that often set for months. Before I switched to non-ethanol fuel, if I let either of the ATVs set for a few months I would have to clean the carburetor. Since I switch to ethanol free fuel I have had no problems.

 

[MossRoad]

I am pleased to be informed what I "need"!

You could use Stabil in E10 and then you wouldn't be burning leaded fuel, and your engines would last longer. It's a lot less expensive as well. Therefore, the conclusion is you don't need 100LL, you want to use it.

 

[MossRoad]

I need non-ethanol fuel. I have two ATVs that often set for months. Before I switched to non-ethanol fuel, if I let either of the ATVs set for a few months I would have to clean the carburetor. Since I switch to ethanol free fuel I have had no problems.

You're not burning 100LL avgas are you?

 

[buck12]

You're not burning 100LL avgas are you?

No and I have no need for such. I was referring to post 62.

 

[Gregster613]

I have no experience with 100LL, race gas, or even "high" octane gas at all. But I do have to say that here in S Ca if I don't run my 2 cycles dry at the end of a usage...I will have carb problems once I try to re-start. My truck, and other 4 cycles, seem to be able to get through the off sessions. Although my truck is run almost daily and for my portable generator I have a valve set-up in my gas line to drain the tank once I'm through using it at that time.
It might sit unused for "months" and I dare not let ethanol gas sit in the tank because it "will" gum up the carbonator!! BTDT too often to bother with messing around any longer. I have found that the best way to avoid carb tinkering is just run "em dry and put 'em away. Sure it may dry gaskets some, but it absolutely doesn't gum up any more carbs! I like to be able to grab a machine when needed, put in fuel, pull the rope and do my work -- without having to take apart a carburetor, massage the engine, then an hour or two later get my task done. I use stabil. seafoam, marvel mystery oil, and blind luck to no noticeable results. After reading all the above comments I can't say that high octane gas is hurtful or helpful...but I believe I'll stay with my methods for now.
MossRoad you make good points but sometimes it just doesn't matter - a 5 to 10 minute chainsaw job turns into hours of frustration and tinkering. Perhaps (almost certainly) your gas is processed differently than ours or others and your methods work for you. They don't for me. Just saying a different perspective on this issue is always available and worthy of thinking about.

 

[hube2]

Where would you suggest that I purchase non-ethanol gasoline?

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

We can buy non-ethanol gas right from our pumps at most filling stations. Most of the gas stations offer it in a standard octane gas, so you don't have to buy the higher octane pump gas. It costs a few cents more a gallon, but it's worth it, and it's all I run in my small engines.

 

[fried1765]

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

Good info!
Exactly: Precisely defines the issue with non-ethanol gas in my state!.
Can only be purchased in 5 gal. sealed cans at $15 per gallon.
But: Site lists local airport also: $6 per gal. 100LL.
Of course, I could also drive 6 hours round trip, to neighboring state.

 

[fried1765]

We can buy non-ethanol gas right from our pumps at most filling stations. Most of the gas stations offer it in a standard octane gas, so you don't have to buy the higher octane pump gas. It costs a few cents more a gallon, but it's worth it, and it's all I run in my small engines.

A bit too far for me to drive to Bismark!
Slightly over 1800 miles!

 

[Oaktree]

We can buy non-ethanol gas right from our pumps at most filling stations. Most of the gas stations offer it in a standard octane gas, so you don't have to buy the higher octane pump gas. It costs a few cents more a gallon, but it's worth it, and it's all I run in my small engines.

I'm sure it varies from state to state. We can get premium no-E (at a very premium price) but that's it, not all stations offer it. One more underground tank to install & maintain. I'll use it to make 2 stroke mix, or in something that sits a lot (ATV, snowmobile) but it's too expensive to use in something that gets used a lot like a lawnmower.

I'm in the "run it dry" camp for seasonal equipment. A little planning ahead to make sure you're pretty much down to fumes at the end of the season isn't that big a deal.
I'm also one who does oil, filter, etc. changes at the end of the season so when it comes time to start using it again just add gas & go.

 

[Peter 315]

Good info!
Exactly: Precisely defines the issue with non-ethanol gas in my state!.
Can only be purchased in 5 gal. sealed cans at $15 per gallon.
But: Site lists local airport also: $6 per gal. 100LL.
Of course, I could also drive 6 hours round trip, to neighboring state.

More then all of those listed on that web site sell it in 5 gal cans or quarts. I only know of a few stations that have it at the pumps and its racing fuel and $$$.......

 

[buck12]

It痴 available at certain gas stations here from the pump. I think non-ethanol is about 30 cents more per gallon but worth it from my experience.

 

[MossRoad]

In my SCAG zero turn I simply use ethanol gas (+ Stabil), and let it sit over the Winter.
In my chainsaw, and 3500W generator I use 100LL aviation gas.
That stuff keeps forever, and does not get gummy, or eat fuel lines. I sometimes do not start the generator for 3 or more years.
I do not want to rebuild any carbs.

You could try following your generator's operation instructions for long term storage, too. I'm fairly certain it will tell you to store it with no fuel in the tank and if you do, to use fuel stabilizer.

 

[bigtiller]

A bit too far for me to drive to Bismark!
Slightly over 1800 miles!

Looking at hube2's link, Ethanol-free gas is available at over a thousand stations in Florida.

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

 

[fried1765]

Looking at hube2's link, Ethanol-free gas is available at over a thousand stations in Florida.

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

Good research!
Now check my profile!
"Northeast and Florida"
You did pick up on the Florida part.