chainsaw fuel questions

[brt]

I retired from a large fire department and we had switched to Stihl Moto Mix fuel for all of the saws. They were all Stihl models and there were a lot of them. The ethanol-laced regular gas raised havoc on the saws and made them undependable. I did the same at home for my Stihl saw. Better to spend a few dollars for fuel than time and money for a carb rebuild when you really need the saw to work.

 

[Sodo]

I have NEVER drained the gas, use whatever is left from the previous year, starts and runs with about 4 pulls on starter rope, same with my 4 year old Husky, no problems ever, just regular gas and whatever 2 stroke oil on hand.

This problem is HUGE in the forums but doesn't seem to affect my gas machines. I have too many gas engines! If this was a genuine problem I'd have a mountain of work to do but have I been lucky?

I had BIG trouble one time leaving mexican gas in a motorcycle for a few months, it grew green stuff on the carb jets and had to replace the jets.

The only trouble I see from USA ethanol gas is on the internet and virtually NO problems in real life. Sometimes I'll drain carburetors because it made sense at the time, then think what the heck am I doing I can't drain the fuel injected machines.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

I picked up a six pack of premixed and straight Tru Fuel today at Lowes. Pricey, yes, but considering the 6 pack savings brought it down to $4.96 a quart it wasn't a bad deal. I've had ethanol based issues in carbs left undrained over time, yes it's a nuisance. The only nonethanol gas I can find in MA is high octane AV gas at the airport. I've heard a 50/50 split on opinions of using the AV gas in 2 stroke mixed applications. Not ready to pull the trigger on that yet.

 

[Sodo]

It is my opinion that most hard-starting problems with ethanol fuel is related to fuel separation (or stratification) in the carburetor bowl (from sitting). If you can tip the motor sideways and slosh the fuel a couple times it starts easier. This is easy with a lawnmower, more difficult with an ATV. A chainsaw may or may not slosh much within the 'bowl' but it seems to start easier (if the saw has been sitting a month or so) if you give it a shake first. Roll it around & thump it on the ground (sideways) a couple times before you pull on the rope.

To me, a can of starting fluid solves the problem easier than remembering what device has or doesn't have Sta-Bil in the tank. I have too many engines to organize the Sta-bil. My Sta-bil bottle just sits on the shelf gathering dust.

Once an engine starts (with last year's gas) it seems to run fine, so I don't believe the gas has degraded. I have several items that sit for 9-10 months every year with old gas in the tank. A trencher, for example, a generator, some motorcycles. Some are fuel injected vehicle that I can't drain anyway and it makes no apparent difference. I drain some of the bowls when I remember to do it. If there was water in the bowl then it gets drained out or dries out so I think that's a worthy practice. I can't drain the chainsaw bowls.

Every year I think "Is the internet legend is going to come true this year?" And every year (so far) they start (maybe with starting fluid) and run perfectly normal. It's been a few years now since the legend started, I think long enough to conclude it's not a genuine concern.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I can buy no ethanol gas and use synthetic 2 cycle oil cheaper than that stuff. $5.00 a quart is expensive fuel

For us that can't but non ethanol crap it leaves this or Aviation Fuel as our only alternative.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

This problem is HUGE in the forums but doesn't seem to affect my gas machines. I have too many gas engines! If this was a genuine problem I'd have a mountain of work to do but have I been lucky?

I had BIG trouble one time leaving mexican gas in a motorcycle for a few months, it grew green stuff on the carb jets and had to replace the jets.

The only trouble I see from USA ethanol gas is on the internet and virtually NO problems in real life. Sometimes I'll drain carburetors because it made sense at the time, then think what the heck am I doing I can't drain the fuel injected machines.

Consider yourself lucky. I replace carbs, drain fuel tanks, replace fuel lines, rebuild fuel systems, ect monthly on boats, ATVs, motorcycle's, small engines, ect.

I have had to replace 2 engines due to cost if carbs. $80 for a carb or $99 for a entire new engine is a no brainer.

Chris

 

[Sodo]

Every spring I brace myself for a whole bunch of carb problems due to "ethanol fuel problems". Its been a few springs now and no problems. I'm inclined to relax this spring.

I have about 20 motorcycles (all in top condition), ATV, sawmill, trencher, 3 generators, weedwacker, brush wacker, 3 chainsaws, wood chipper, & 3 vehicles. If this problem was real for me I'd be in big trouble.

 

[PeterK]

I think you mean 50:1.

Gee no wonder it smokes. :shocked:

 

[hesstx]

I do lots of cutting and found the can gas working great but to cut down cost I now use the mid grage gas the hi test has stuff you dont need for the saw. I run syn oil and mid grade I go though 2.5 gal a day the last tank I put can gas in them and run till though the sys. this allows for a fast start the next time. I do add stable and the star-tron to the 2.5 gal

 

[varmint]

Some posters have said they have no issues with ethanol gas- maybe the blend is different where they live? Like I said, I was running my chainsaws dry, but then the next time I had trouble getting them to run right at full throttle. Sometimes they would clear out, sometimes not. The canned gas worked great, saw runs perfectly. The straight gas I got was $18 for 5 gallons (FWIW) and hopefully, with the marine grade Stabil and good two cycle oil, my problems are solved. I want to also note that an outboard engine guy I spoke with has been having nightmares caused by ethanol gas. He rebuilds carbs, only to see the same engines back, with the same problems in a month. He showed me some of the fuel he drained out of them, and it doesn't look healthy. So, if you don't have problems, lucky you.