chainsaw fuel questions

[Diamondpilot]

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.

I wonder if ethanol is not a regional product? That is the additives and formula vary? Trust me, ethanol is a big headache around here.

Chris

 

[Sodo]

All the gas pumps in WA have a sticker that says "Fuel contains 10% Ethanol". Once in awhile I see a gas station with a big handwritten sign stating "we sell ethanol free gas". There could be some regional difference, perhaps in how much water ethanol ingests (more/less regional humidity).

If it was real,,,,,, the problems would be far more than just reading it on forums. And there would be commercially available signage too!

Where I work everybody has at least 2 cars and some gas toys, ATVs or lawnmowers, chainsaws, etc. Some of them do the Sta-bil thing, worry about it, chase down ethanol-free gas (when convenient) and others do nothing.

But the bottom line is…….. I NEVER hear a word where they are discussing an ACTUAL problem.

Like me - no actual problems.

 

[arrow]

All the gas pumps in WA have a sticker that says "Fuel contains 10% Ethanol". Once in awhile I see a gas station with a big handwritten sign stating "we sell ethanol free gas". There could be some regional difference, perhaps in how much water ethanol ingests (more/less regional humidity).

If it was real,,,,,, the problems would be far more than just reading it on forums. And there would be commercially available signage too!

Where I work everybody has at least 2 cars and some gas toys, ATVs or lawnmowers, chainsaws, etc. Some of them do the Sta-bil thing, worry about it, chase down ethanol-free gas (when convenient) and others do nothing.

But the bottom line is…….. I NEVER hear a word where they are discussing an ACTUAL problem.

Like me - no actual problems.

Could have something to do with climate or how it is dispersed in the tanker truck. There is no ethanol free gas here in my state nor in any of the two surrounding states. It has been an absolute disaster and more equipment has been ruined as a result of "ethanol" at my place. I could only wish the effects of ethanol would be an "urban legend". I drain all of my equipment, cycles and get 3-6 miles less per gallon than before ethanol. To me and others like me, the "efficacy of ethanol" has been the urban legend.

 

[Sodo]

Agreed. If we all burn 10% more fuel the net amount of petrol burned is the same as before Ethanol added. Only difference is the Farmer lobby got a higher price for their corn. Probably from you. If there is a need for a lobbyist you can be pretty sure you are his target, not the beneficiary. Except corn sellers are beneficiaries! .

Again I haven't seen the absolute disaster or ruined equipment you're talking about so can't comment much on it. My current interest is the LACK of evidence. Search craigslist for ethanol. I would expect "worked fine just has an ethanol problem" to be prevalent. Body is in GREAT condition, just needs new hoses for ethanol.

I'm stumped. If its a true problem why aren't the spoils from this disaster appearing on craigslist? Equipment sellers don't actively exclude equipment with ethanol related problems, nor do they guarantee that equipment purchased does NOT have ethanol problems. No discussion of it period.

Nothing. Except on the forums.

 

[sdef]

Agreed. If we all burn 10% more fuel the net amount of petrol burned is the same as before Ethanol added. Only difference is the Farmer lobby got a higher price for their corn. Probably from you. If there is a need for a lobbyist you can be pretty sure you are his target, not the beneficiary. Except corn sellers are beneficiaries! .

Again I haven't seen the absolute disaster or ruined equipment you're talking about so can't comment much on it. My current interest is the LACK of evidence. Search craigslist for ethanol. I would expect "worked fine just has an ethanol problem" to be prevalent. Body is in GREAT condition, just needs new hoses for ethanol.

I'm stumped. If its a true problem why aren't the spoils from this disaster appearing on craigslist? Equipment sellers don't actively exclude equipment with ethanol related problems, nor do they guarantee that equipment purchased does NOT have ethanol problems. No discussion of it period.

Nothing. Except on the forums.

Agreed. If it was a systemic issue, equipment producers would be outraged and it would be all over the news and in front of congress and the courts. Conversely, the only ethanol news I have seen is something about the Obama administration wanting to withdraw their unequivocal support of ethanol due to environmental reasons or such, I seem to recall.

 

[Diamondpilot]

All the gas pumps in WA have a sticker that says "Fuel contains 10% Ethanol". Once in awhile I see a gas station with a big handwritten sign stating "we sell ethanol free gas". There could be some regional difference, perhaps in how much water ethanol ingests (more/less regional humidity).

If it was real,,,,,, the problems would be far more than just reading it on forums. And there would be commercially available signage too!

Where I work everybody has at least 2 cars and some gas toys, ATVs or lawnmowers, chainsaws, etc. Some of them do the Sta-bil thing, worry about it, chase down ethanol-free gas (when convenient) and others do nothing.

But the bottom line is…….. I NEVER hear a word where they are discussing an ACTUAL problem.

Like me - no actual problems.

You and yours are lucky then. I work on these engines all the time and see it. Perhaps it's climate related?

Chris

 

[arrow]

Agreed. If we all burn 10% more fuel the net amount of petrol burned is the same as before Ethanol added. Only difference is the Farmer lobby got a higher price for their corn. Probably from you. If there is a need for a lobbyist you can be pretty sure you are his target, not the beneficiary. Except corn sellers are beneficiaries! .

Again I haven't seen the absolute disaster or ruined equipment you're talking about so can't comment much on it. My current interest is the LACK of evidence. Search craigslist for ethanol. I would expect "worked fine just has an ethanol problem" to be prevalent. Body is in GREAT condition, just needs new hoses for ethanol.

I'm stumped. If its a true problem why aren't the spoils from this disaster appearing on craigslist? Equipment sellers don't actively exclude equipment with ethanol related problems, nor do they guarantee that equipment purchased does NOT have ethanol problems. No discussion of it period.

Nothing. Except on the forums.

Probably has more to do with self interests. If something stops running, manufacturers will be happy to sell you more stuff. More may have to do with who is fixing these things and explanations given are enough for people to have the "whadda ya gonna do? " attitude. Since I fix all of my own stuff, I know what this crap in our gasoline is capable of. If you ever had to pull the carbs out of Yamaha Vstars 9 or 10 times, you might be effected. If you had a perfectly good rototiller become unusable as a result of carb diaphragm softening and not be able to get replacement carb or kits to fix it, you might be effected. You already see the reduced gas mileage. I really do not know what you are considering valid proof but I have enough self proof to get sickened with the lack of logic for it and all of its political and monetary tentacles.

 

[NHmitch]

The ethanol problem all relates to phase separation, and attached is a scientific article that explains what happens:
The second page really explains how and why it will damage an engine.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/alternative-fuel/biofuels/e15-gasoline-damage-engine

 

[murphy1244]

Stihl and echo saws are able to run ethanol gas up to 10%. My dealer says the additive market is a scam

 

[Happy Gilmore]

A family owned Honda Rancher sat unchecked for better than a year with ethanol blend gasoline in the tank and presumably in the carb. It sat so long due to the passing of a family member and being unused. Upon pulling the carb apart, I witnessed the ugliest carb bowl and float I have ever seen. Looked like a can of varnish left open to the air for 10 years. Ran perfect prior to sitting and after the carb cleaning. Just one example I've dealt with and from experience, way worse than I remember with pre ethanol gasoline.