thatguy
Elite Member
I have a new Stihl FS90 trimmer and a 40 yrs old Stihl 031 chainsaw that i am running.. I have heard all the horror stories about the ethanol issues and small engines..
Currently - I am using ethanol free +92 octane gas and treating it with the Stabil - Marine formula (which is suppose to help with the ethanol) and using the Stihl full synthetic 2 stroke oil mix.. I also try to only mix up what I know I will use in a short time.
Now comes the part I have found conflicting information on
1) I was told that the 'ethanol free' gas you buy is not actually ethanol free - there is up to about 5% in it. Anyone know if this is true or not? Since ethanol is added at a terminal, i dont see how that much ethanol could get into the gas between the terminal and the station. This is assuming that you let the ethanol gas drain out of the fill hose at the station until you get the 'free' gas coming out.
2) Do you leave the fuel in the tank of the equipment OR do you run it dry? I have been told reasons to do both.
3) How long do you let your mixed fuel go unused before using it for another purpose and mixing a new batch?
4) Does anyone only use the 'pre-mix' fuel ($5/qt and up) sold in the metal cans? I was told at a dealership to only run it, BUT I was wondering if i could run my own 'mix' and when i was done drain the tank and put some of the pre-mix and run to get it in the system (which should eliminate the storage ethanol issue it seems to me)
5) Is 'ethanol' problem actually from leaving mixed fuel in the carb and it dries out gumming up the ports?
thanks
brian
Currently - I am using ethanol free +92 octane gas and treating it with the Stabil - Marine formula (which is suppose to help with the ethanol) and using the Stihl full synthetic 2 stroke oil mix.. I also try to only mix up what I know I will use in a short time.
Now comes the part I have found conflicting information on
1) I was told that the 'ethanol free' gas you buy is not actually ethanol free - there is up to about 5% in it. Anyone know if this is true or not? Since ethanol is added at a terminal, i dont see how that much ethanol could get into the gas between the terminal and the station. This is assuming that you let the ethanol gas drain out of the fill hose at the station until you get the 'free' gas coming out.
2) Do you leave the fuel in the tank of the equipment OR do you run it dry? I have been told reasons to do both.
3) How long do you let your mixed fuel go unused before using it for another purpose and mixing a new batch?
4) Does anyone only use the 'pre-mix' fuel ($5/qt and up) sold in the metal cans? I was told at a dealership to only run it, BUT I was wondering if i could run my own 'mix' and when i was done drain the tank and put some of the pre-mix and run to get it in the system (which should eliminate the storage ethanol issue it seems to me)
5) Is 'ethanol' problem actually from leaving mixed fuel in the carb and it dries out gumming up the ports?
thanks
brian