Gasohol and Small Engines

[ultrarunner]

I find it best just to buy ethanol free gas, does the trick for me
:thumbsup:

Not an option in my part of California

 

[3930dave]

For my one generator with a metal tank, and my street bike, I switched to 360 Protection a while back.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/271843-your-last-generator-maintenance-run-36.html

Seen too many problems around here with the tops (inside) of metal gas tanks, and I can see the dispersal method they describe having potential, so have picked up a few bottles of 360.

For general purpose use, esp. with plastic tanks, I still use the regular Marine Stabil. Aside from cost, 360 has virtually no distribution in Canada yet.

Around here, Costco's premium gas is Efree.

Rgds, D.

 

[Copperhead]

I have used E10 in most everything that uses gasoline for several decades. Usually with no additives of any kind. But I do concede, there are some small engine fuel system designs that the builders still haven't modernized properly. Amsoil makes a good small engine fuel additive that addresses ethanol in fuel, among other things, that is a good value. The Amsoil Quikshot fuel additive. I use it occasionally now, primarily because of variable fuel quality more than any perceived ethanol problems. I get it at the Preferred Customer pricing and it is very cost effective.

AMSOIL Quickshotｮ

Amazing that here in ethanol central, Iowa, surrounded by 46 ethanol plants, we have availability of ethanol free regular and premium to our heart's content. I use E85 frequently in my vehicles, because of the lower cost per mile, but occasionally I will get ethanol free for some small engine uses. But my JD rider mowers have seen E10 for decades without any issues.

 

[lilranch2001]

I only know what I have seen for myself
I used to have constant trouble with small engines and their fuel systems
Since I switched to ethanol free fuel, I have NO trouble

Maybe it was caused by ghosts drinking my fuel and getting drunken on it and messing with my carbs
:confused3:

 

[ultrarunner]

I never had small engine fuel problems and now I do... nothing has changed except the gas formula for California???

When the phase in started... the local mechanic had a rash of old carb cars with fuel pump failures and fuel line leaks...

I had 3 and it's the only time I have ever had the problem before or after.

The fuel lines in the 76 Rabbit, 68 Mustang and 66 Mustang all went bad and each had a strong odor of gas...

Every morning the drive time shows reported at least one older car with a vehicle fire...

It is not without risk when components in use were not designed for it.

Another problem is the Fuel Tank Sloshing compounds used to seal and coat tanks... aviation use and many of the old car guys used it too...

The new fuel turns the compound into one sticky mess... and lucky me... I restored several cars using the compound back in the 1970's...

 

[3930dave]

Amazing that here in ethanol central, Iowa, surrounded by 46 ethanol plants, we have availability of ethanol free regular and premium to our heart's content.

I think some of us would use other choice words, rather than "amazing" - that looks a lot like Having Your Cake, and Getting to Eat It, While Others Get Table Scraps That They Pay Inflated Prices For.


Good point about general fuel quality..... there can be issues at times, unrelated to ethanol.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I never had small engine fuel problems and now I do... nothing has changed except the gas formula for California???

When the phase in started... the local mechanic had a rash of old carb cars with fuel pump failures and fuel line leaks...

I had 3 and it's the only time I have ever had the problem before or after.

The fuel lines in the 76 Rabbit, 68 Mustang and 66 Mustang all went bad and each had a strong odor of gas...

Every morning the drive time shows reported at least one older car with a vehicle fire...

It is not without risk when components in use were not designed for it.

Another problem is the Fuel Tank Sloshing compounds used to seal and coat tanks... aviation use and many of the old car guys used it too...

The new fuel turns the compound into one sticky mess... and lucky me... I restored several cars using the compound back in the 1970's...

That situation was entirely predictable, and at best, Collateral Damage.

Rgds, D.

 

[mccash40]

I would like to share this article : OPEI: PRICE is No Longer the Best Way to Select Gasoline In Canada our local Shell Gas station sells " V power" high test and it is non-oxygenated with no hooch just straight gas.

I have access to 91 octane ethanol free gas. Is this OK to use in small engines like wood splitters, lawn mowers, trimmers and chainsaws?

 

[lilranch2001]

I have access to 91 octane ethanol free gas. Is this OK to use in small engines like wood splitters, lawn mowers, trimmers and chainsaws?

That is what I use exclusively in my small engines, and have for 6-7 years with none of the ethanol issues
:thumbsup:

 

[JJZ 109]

I have access to 91 octane ethanol free gas. Is this OK to use in small engines like wood splitters, lawn mowers, trimmers and chainsaws?

Use it exclusively in 2 riding mowers, a push mower, a chainsaw, a gasoline powered pressure washer, a Stihl string trimmer and 3 Harleys. No problems here.