Gasohol and Small Engines

[Sodo]

Tcartwri I do not believe pump gas is the problem, but your gas could have been contaminated somehow. Honda has to put that wording in their warranty because the legend is so accepted, and true in cases I suppose. Also for the future - - there may be more fuel changes beyond their control. Or other mixes, regional mixes or unknown additives, internet concoctions, they HAVE to CYA. Same as Generac, they all have it.

Running mower until it quits is good because you aren't dumping gas on the ground - but is not as effective as draining the carb. Running it until it quits leaves quite a bit of gas in the bowl. If you are careful you can drain the carb and put that back in the tank, but I wouldn't as there could be water in the low point. Anyway the best thing you can do to help starting is to mix up the gas everytime by movement, and draining the carb does that at next startup. You might be saying Honda has deleted the carb drain. That's disappointing for an expensive peice of eqpt - I'd think about adding one. I had to add a drain on my sawmill engine. It starts first pull every spring, with last years gas (in the tank). That makes me smile.

Are you able to do the disassembly and spray the exhaust valve stem with carb cleaner? Or at least remove the exhaust and post a good pic of the stem? Sometimes wrench time is less than the phone time (or driving mower to the dealer). A warranty can be a twin-edged sword. I'd sure like to come across a Honda mower with only 25hrs!

 

[davesl708]

My small generator gets pure gas with StaBil. I shut off the fuel and run the carb dry. The fuel is 4 years old and still starts and runs great.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

We got over them taking the lead out of the gas and so to will the ethanol issue pass. Back when they took the lead out small engines where taking a dump left and right due to the lack of lubricate for the valve stems. Everyone wanted the Leaded gas, don't want the cheap lead free stuff. Eventually the engines not designed for the ethanol will work there way through the system. At the time I bought a bunch of Briggs and Straton and tecumseh stock. Don't know how you would turn this issue around.

 

[tcartwri]

Tcartwri I do not believe pump gas is the problem, but your gas could have been contaminated somehow.

Honda has a tsb out for exactly this valve sticking issue. It is a known problem. They are just not standing behind their product.

 

[thehorseguy]

As a dealer and service center for power equipment I see problems related to ethanol, but it is always due to water contamination, or just old fuel. Been using ethanol fuel at the shop for years, since my local station switched their 93 to ethanol. I only use 93 in my vehicles as well as customer products. The additive that is being pushed hard by lawnmower dealers, and atv, motorcycle dealers is the startron additive. Just never had good luck with the stabil products, especially since their product has an expiration date. the ethanol by itself doesn't cause the problem it is the hydrophillic property of ethanol this is the issue. Also when you get water contamination of your fuel, and pulls the ethanol out of suspension and your octane drops about 2 points. So if you are starting with 87 octane it is now 85.

Only 2 points? I figured it was a lot more than that, pure ethical is close to 115 if I recall.

 

[Sodo]

That could be. Is that Honda TSB on the internet somewhere? I'd like to read it.

Lucky we don't have the gas problem in automobiles, I use about 100 times a much gas in my trucks & cars. And its the same gas. I bet my wife & all her friends have never even heard of it and they use a lot of gas!

Doubt anybody's dumping out 50 gallons of gas that sat in their RV for 10 months. Or 22 months. Anybody out there draining their RVs for storage?

This gas thing doesn't pencil out. Thats why I dropped it 5 years ago. Only thing I'm having trouble with is E10 boiling, on 95 deg days, in my chainsaw. So for those days I search out pure-gas. You fellas who have more 95-deg days I can imagine problems but doubt its a storage issue. And there could be ither formulations. Wonder if its something that leaches out of red plastic?

 

[Garycw]

Just picked up a New log splitter and clearly states on tank and cap. No e85-no e15.... E10 OK. The way it's labeled it seems to indicate e10 only. I know that's not true, but that's pretty much all you can get 99% of the time. Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

 

[ultrarunner]

As mentioned... the small engine shops have never had business so good...

Unless you are a regular commercial customer... expect a long wait for fuel issues.

Whether right or wrong... fuel is getting the blame and warranty claims denied.

 

[fixitman123]

I believe high humidity areas have more trouble with ethanol. I bought a new stihl weed eater and left the gas in it for couple months. Ruined the cheap Chinese carb. Ordered new one from Amazon for $14 now I run the ethanol free gas and don't have any problems. Small engine repair around here have all the business they can get, most generated by the use of ethanol.

 

[big bubba]

just a side note to those who advocate running the small engine dry of fuel to store...no doubt this has been a practice for ages...but, tried it on my kawi engine (mower) once, and the fuel solenoid shut off switch went bad. varnish & residue was the problem...so with all those additives we include in our fuel, this can be an issue. just a note, not saying avoid the practice, but _ _ _ _ happens. just to let you guys know. i just use non ethanol fuel w/stabilizer, start every few weeks in down season, and carry on in the spring.....best regards...