gas is garbage....

[Soundguy]

Yep.. no viable alternative.. I realize there -are- alternatives... but so far.. running out and replacing a couple vehicles is a bit steep on the wallet..

Soundguy

 

[slowrev]

Yeah maybew I should convert everything over to diesel. Anybody know where I can get a diesel weed whacker ?

 

[Brimfield]

well Ive seen that too often. GOT A 10HP chipper for 150 because the guy used it one weekend to clean up a new house lot and he realized it was too much work. when I looked it over no scratches or abuse and it had compresssion and spark. so I got it and pulled the carb; it was full of green varnish. soaked it in chemical dip over night and all was good. My 10 hp generator sat for two years with gas in it with stabyl, it started right up! I will now remember to run it twice a year to be safe.
ps. I only use Gulf or mobil gas in small engines and premium in my husky saw. the guy at the saw store was right it revs better.

 

[KubotaBling]

china they make 4 stroke diesel everything.. i doubt running a higher octane rating helps just as cetane is irrelavent to a idi diesel past 35-40 cetante a higher octane fuel is irrelevant to the cranking of a small engine. and 99% of engine makes say not to use premium fuels ie gas of higher octane rating

 

[slowrev]

Kubotabling,
Your mention of not using premium octane gasoline in small engines brings up another question. If a person has an mid 60's tractor that the origional manual says it requires 89 octane gas, does that translate to 89 octane gas of today ?

 

[Molerj]

I would say that 85% of the small engines that I get that "just won't start" are due to old fuel. Sometimes just draining the bowl is enough, sometimes taking the carb. apart & using a tiny wire & spray carb. cleaner will work. Some need a carb. kit, new fuel lines & gaskets. Others, you just can't get clean. I also find that until a person has a "problem" with old fuel, they tend not to believe. Back in the '70's we never drained fuel from mowers, tillers etc. & they started right up the next year. In most instances that doesn't work anymore. Here is an editorial from a very good B&S master tech. This article on winterizing should be posted later in the year & if I remember I will post it in Lawn & Garden in a few months.
There are two other editorials that Bob has posted also. Fuel, it ain't gasoline anymore & fuelin around with designer motor fuel I still copy them & give to my customers. Now, when a repeat customer calls & tells me there mower won't start, the first thing they say, is "I have fresh gas in it /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif or I know, I know, I left last yrs. gas in it. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Egon]

Octane will be the same but the lack of sulphur will not help the valve lubrication.

Egon

 

[Egon]

Octane rating, compression rating and head configuration kinda go together.

Egon

 

[fractal]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Yeah maybew I should convert everything over to diesel. Anybody know where I can get a diesel weed whacker ? )</font>

Funny you should mention that.... :_)

I once asked myself "why aren't there any diesel lawn mowers". No, not lawn tractors, the basic push type lawn mowers with diesel motors.

Well, I started scratching the surface. Maybe I can buy a replacement motor for my old push rotary mower and convert it.

Turns out that diesel motors typically weight more than gas burning motors and cost more than gas burning motors. You can buy a 5hp gas motor for 200 bucks from northern tool and it is going to weight between 30 and 40 pounds. Even a honda only runs you 350 with a shipping weight of 37 pounds.

Compare that to a hatz diesel from the same distributor which will cost you 1300 bucks and weights in at 75 pounds shipping weight.

Ok, so shipping weight is more than installed weight, but my gosh, that thing is going to be heavy to push around. I know my wallet will be lighter after paying for it, but not THAT much lighter..

So, while I suspect you may have been joking, I wish I were joking when I looked into it. I learned then what I shoulda known years ago, especially before I bought my last truck. A diesel motor adds a LOT to initial purchase cost and adds to the weight of the product. That CAN be offset by improved fuel efficiency and lower fuel costs. But, the buyer had better do the math.

My review found that pulling the gasser off my 21 inch MTD rotary mower and dropping a diesel on it would add 25 pounds to the weight and 1000 dollars to the cost. The fuel savings for me might be 2-3 dollars a year. The additional medical bills from hefting that extra weight around would be more than that /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Likewise, the diesel motor in my truck added 500 pounds to the base weight of the truck, which in turn SUBTRACTED 500 pounds from the cargo capacity of the truck, and added about 1000 bucks to the price of the used truck. Again, it is going to be a LOT of miles before I can make up that difference in fuel savings, plus I get to drive "overloaded" a lot and hope I don't get weighted by the local chp..

 

[Egon]

Note that the added diesel weight will also be harder on the suspension components and the torque may have an influence on the life of rear tires.

Egon