FUEL PROBLEMS with Ethonal

[MHarryE]

I have used ethanol since the 80s. Never had a failure due to it, never used stabilizer. I run it in my chainsaw and the fuel can be over a year old sometimes and it runs like a champ. I have blocked several log truck loads of firewood with it and have fel and blocked 100s of trees. Never a carb issue. I have used it on air cooled engines, water cooled and automotive engines, no issues ever related to fuel. Those of you in the north who put Heet in your tank are just adding alcohol. The reason they put it in is because it isn't to stretch gas but to replace things like MTBE (that is why they are forcing the issue, look up MTBE, it is bad stuff). It boosts octane, oxygen levels, and cleans out water and carbon. Carbs and fuel lines since the 70s have been compatible with alcohol. I think the fuel issues are because of improper storage and the fuel line rot is because someone is skimping on parts and buying horrible cheap Chinese fuel line and seals. E85 where they try and replace gas isn't a good thing in my opinion, but the E10 where they get rid of some of the horribly toxic stuff is good with me.

I wonder what you and I are doing wrong because I too have not had ethanol related problems and have been using ethanol laced fuel since it first came out. Since I live in a major corn and soybean production state I've been subject to more incentives to use these fuels than in most parts of the US. I even do stupid things like just park my lawn tractor, weed whips, chain saws, outboards, where they are sitting when the snow starts to fall and then start them up and use them when the snow melts. I must be doing something wrong.

 

[3930dave]

Other than just gasoline/E__ ratios, I think that there are also some other factors at play.

Different base stocks and refinery processes, and regional special additive requirements (ex. some areas mandate "oxygenated" (sp?) fuel) may factor into end-user problems. Storage practices that you can get away with in one geographic area may get you into trouble somewhere else on the continent.

Rate of ambient temperature change, and local relative humidity levels are also 2 other variables. I suspect ethanol/moisture problems are less of a problem in the Mojave... but that's just a guess....

Here, I found that storing carbs dry didn't work. I've switched to storing equipment "wet", and full of Stabilized fuel..... that has worked 100% successfully, so far. Knock wood.

Find out what practices work in your region (eye-of-newt included), and use 'em. It doesn't have to make sense, as long as it works....

Rgds, D.

 

[lilranch2001]

I did a search on this site, doesn't look like there is alcohol free gas in Jersey
Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

 

[murphy1244]

Other than just gasoline/E__ ratios, I think that there are also some other factors at play.

Different base stocks and refinery processes, and regional special additive requirements (ex. some areas mandate "oxygenated" (sp?) fuel) may factor into end-user problems. Storage practices that you can get away with in one geographic area may get you into trouble somewhere else on the continent.

Rate of ambient temperature change, and local relative humidity levels are also 2 other variables. I suspect ethanol/moisture problems are less of a problem in the Mojave... but that's just a guess....

Here, I found that storing carbs dry didn't work. I've switched to storing equipment "wet", and full of Stabilized fuel..... that has worked 100% successfully, so far. Knock wood.

Find out what practices work in your region (eye-of-newt included), and use 'em. It doesn't have to make sense, as long as it works....

Rgds, D.

What happened when you stored them dry??? I have done that for years.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I did a search on this site, doesn't look like there is alcohol free gas in Jersey
Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

How far is your state line? This is one of the reasons we have states - an opportunity to find liberty.

 

[3930dave]

What happened when you stored them dry??? I have done that for years.

On my 5hp Briggs, the float stuck. When you run it "dry", it's pretty hard to get all the fuel consumed. Over time, hard orange sludge gummed up the float. I'm not suggesting that anybody has to store "wet", but if you are having problems..... give it a try.

After over-wintering my street MC wet with stabilized fuel, I started doing the same with my small air-cooled engines. So far, so good. If the fuel is properly stabilized, you are just letting the equipment sit with fuel in the intended locations.

To address other issues, I've started using Stabil 360 protection in equipment with metal fuel tanks that sit for extended periods.

By storing equipment "wet", I'm meaning over-the-Winter, or maximum 1 year.

Rgds, D.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I didn't move away from corn fuel just because of storage issues. I had immediate poor performance in every small engine application from lawn mowers to weed eaters and chain saws. All of them began to spit and sputter, wouldn't rev fully and became difficult to start. Going to real gas solved all of these problems.

 

[sawtooth]

I find this thread very interesting. We see so many issues with this newer fuel. The big wave here now is that many small stores are bringing back pure 100% gas. Reason being is better efficiency and better performance and stability. Two years ago I couldn't hardly find it now I have several stores in my area. The closest store to me in fact kept running out so often had to put in a second pump of it. Not all but most of my small engine stuff cranks faster and runs better with the pure gas. Seems some engines are more sensitive than others. There is also a app called "Pure Gas" that shows you dealers in your area.

 

[sawtooth]

I'm staying in Greensboro NC for work this weekend and just did a search on pure gas. Just look at all the stations carrying 100% gas. This is a wave picking up steam fast as people are just tired of dealing with Ethanol problems. Maybe it's related to how it's produced but some of it is definitely an issue. Now our greedy gov wants us to goto 20% but all the automotive and small engine makers are saying no and they will not back their warranty when 20% is used.

 

[lilranch2001]

How far is your state line? This is one of the reasons we have states - an opportunity to find liberty.

I am in Indiana, I just found this thread and did the search for the OP, I didn't know Murph had already posted the link