Premixed fuel in a can

[Bigfoot62]

. . . Stihl and Husqvarna both include fuel stabilizer in there premix 2 stroke oil. Normally I use a minimum size can (1 gal max) for my premix so the gas does not go stale . . .

Correct.
Same here.

If you think that the Tru Fuel is right for you, I would suggest that you contact your local fuel and oil jobber. The company that I use, sells Tru Fuel by the case, and it's cheaper than the saw shops and department stores.

 

[bandaidmd]

looks like theres several places that sell it for $35 for a case of six quarts. $23 is still a ridiculous price to pay for a gallon of gas.

 

[RandyT]

I found that I got much better results when switching to 93-octane over 87-octane in my 2-stroke engines. This doesn't really make sense to me, as I don't think the compression in the 2-strokes is high enough to require the higher octane, but they would constantly have a problem where they would die out when hot, and once I switched to 93-octane, that went away. Anyway, I use 93-octane with Sta-bil in it, and have had no problems with storing the items with gas in them during the regular season. I always run them dry before longer-term storage, however. I think the Sta-bil makes a big difference.

Some of the newer saws are 10:1 compression ratio which requires the higher octane to prevent prefire, which will cause serious engine problems in 2 strokes, and may even cause engine failure.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Some of the newer saws are 10:1 compression ratio which requires the higher octane to prevent prefire, which will cause serious engine problems in 2 strokes, and may even cause engine failure.

It's possible, I guess, but this is just a little $200 Poulan from a big box store--nothing fancy.

 

[Ken]

I was given a small lawn boy type weed eater. It had set outside for a couple of years in open weather. also a can from Wal-Mart mixed gas. poured into the tank and choked and 2nd pull it started. I was surprised and so was the person that handed it to me as junk.
I buy at a bulk gas station gas for S/B generators and small engines it is already stabilized for a year of setting. They assure me no more additive's is needed.
I mix in 2 gal plastic container my chain saw gas and use for a month cannot notice less starting problems in a month later.
Then the lawn mower gets it and fresh is mixed.
ken

 

[crazyal]

2 stroke engine compression ratios can't easily be measured. Most use a tuned muffler that will use the exhaust gas as a wave to act as a valve to close the cylinder's exhaust port. This prevents the new air fuel mixture from going straight out the exhaust, it also increase the volume of the cylinder. I'm not sure if this picture will work here, if not go to the link to see it as it'll show much better than I can explain how mufflers/ expansion chambers work on 2 strokes.

Expansion chamber - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[bamboozled]

It's nice for the occasional user. One can is only two tankfuls for me, but I don't cut that much.

 

[Coyote machine]

Manufacturers of saws like Stihl adding a fuel stabilizer to their premium oils and offering an extra year of warranty with new saws using the premium oil is a good thing for consumers buying new saws. Using E-10 free gas and mixing small quantities in NON-vented gas containers is also becoming the current thinking. E-10 does attract moisture and in open to atmospheric moisture 2 strokes like chainsaws and outboards, weedeaters, etc. using air free cans does help keep the fuel longer. Phase separation is a problem when E-10 breaks down over time, and if a station doesn't use a lot of fuel all the time the storage in ground can also factor into overall life expectancy. Personally, I choose to mix my own mix for saws, leafblower/weedeater, etc. I have not yet bought a quart of E-10 free fuel and probably won't. I ran all my equipment dry last winter early in the season, AFTER adding fuel stabilizer to 91 non E-10 gas, and did not have any problems this past spring. I can see how some might end up with carb or fuel injector issues- so far I haven't. Doesn't mean it's not a concern.
I think freshest fuel possible with highest octane is best choice. E-10 fuel seems to only be available in the 91 or higher premium grade. I NEVER use premium gas in my cars, and have NO fuel problems with any of them. Four Toyotas, '03 Taco, '08 Hilander, '011 Forerunner, '011 Venza. BUT, they are all CLOSED to atmospheric moisture closed fuel systems, unlike my boat, weedeater and chainsaw fuel tanks.
I do run the 91 or higher, when I have access to it, no E-10 gas in my boat. That engine is $20K four stroke, 225HP. Don't want any issues with it. YMMV

 

[Soundguy]

Yes...
The only good thing about racing fuel in a stock 2 stroke, is no ethanol. Higher octane makes less power.

harder to start too. ( cold ) anyway...

 

[dgeesaman]

I used to use the fuel-in-a-can exclusively in my string trimmer, because I only ran it about an hour a month and the canned fuel ran well and I never needed to mix or store another fuel container. With so little use the stability was critical and cost was a non-issue.

I re-use the can because it's handier in the field than a full tank with nozzle. It holds 3 tanks worth for my MS261.