New Gas in Power Equipment

[kyspartan]

i can remember growing up in central KY the cheaper gas stations always had a sticker on the pumps that said the gas may contain up to 10 % ethanol, we never had a problem with it. you just have to go by the small engine manuals and dump the gas out and then run the engine until it dies before you store it. ever since i could remember the discount stations have had that yellow sticker on their pumps in my neck of the woods (i am 32)
the stations that used ethanol to cut the gas so they could sell it cheaper, now that everybody has to use it the oil company's say it raises the price of gas because ethanol is so high. things that you go hmmm

 

[KICK]

FWIW, I believe all gasoline marketed in the USA has a 10% ethanol content. whether they tell you or not.

if I remember right, last year the govmint ordered the phase out of MBTE as a fuel oxygenator and ordered the use of ethanol in its place.

 

[Regal]

I believe all gasoline marketed in the USA has a 10% ethanol content. whether they tell you or not.


KICK;
I tend to agree with you. However racing gas i.e. CAM2 and aviation fuel does not contain ethanol. ( YET, anyhow)

Rick

 

[srjones]

Is it me or is this Ethanol mixed gas ( Gas 90% Ethanol 10%) absolute crap?

I put gas in mowers and use them and them go back a week later and they won't start. I have 4 motors that aren't running at the moment due to this crap fuel.

I agree, this is terrible. I'm having problems with 3 out 5 of my small engines. I think next year I'll stock up before the switch and then add a fuel preservative. In Oregon, E10 is only mandated from November - February. Anybody know where I can find racing fuel? Does AvGas still have lead added?

 

[KICK]

I haven't had any problems.

maybe its just fuel handling technique?

I never put fuel in anything with a small engine till I run the previous tank dry, that way I'm always adding fresh fuel

I don't mix much 2 stroke gas , that way it never sits very long, have been known to dump it in the 4 stroke equipment if gas/oil mix sat on the shelf for any length of time.

 

[BIG_R_Jr_3]

Hi Chris
Sorry to hear your troubles with your motor's using the Ethanol Fuel. But as you know by now, that is where the problem occurred.

I Have own two boats with outboard motors on them both for many years and have done many of the repairs and maintance needed to keep these babies running here in South Florida year round . Although my motors are Yamaha 225 HP and Mariner 150 HP. they are 2-Stroke Motors And they Require High "Octane" to run smoothly. I Fuel up with the Highest Octane Grade I can buy for both, not anything less than 91.5 Octane, and use the highest grade of Motor Oil Rated "TCW III" or Higher.

The 2 stroke outboard motor's requires the high octane which generates the best spark to the motor to run at its optium performance........

91.5 Octane or higher is that has the highest amount of detergent and burns cleaner with the least amount of deposits, aiding in the reduction of carbon build up that causes lose of performance in the engine. It works at their maximum. Allowing the engine to perform at its best.

Remember to use only TCW III Oil made by Engine Manufactures.....
Remember to use only 91.5 Octane or Higher.........

Big R

 

[dmccarty]

The other problems with Ethanol in boats was the fuel tanks. Some older boats had built in fuel tanks made from fiberglass. The Ethanol reacts with the fiberglass and creats a goo that gums up the engines. Not nice.

The owners of the boats I was reading about have a real problems since they either have to use external tanks or tank to boat apart to replace the built in tanks...

Later,
Dan

 

[yomax4]

I have found that small engines require better fuel than cars so I always have a can of Octane Booster on the shelf. One shot in a 2 gallon can and no more starting problems. Another grate finding is that once your small engine sits and the carb gets gumed up, Add a shot of Sea Foam additive to the fuel and run it. Soon it will run smooth again. I had an old snow blower that would only run with the choke half on. Sea Foam cured that in 10 minutes of use. Octane Booster for the crap gas, Seafoam for the dirty carbs. Try it.

Thanks.

 

[Skyco]

I believe all gasoline marketed in the USA has a 10% ethanol content. whether they tell you or not.

Nope. Some stations around me, mostly Exxon but also some Shell, sell gasoline with no ethanol. I go out of my way to buy it for all my gasoline fueled power equipment. Stores longer and gives fewer problems.

 

[WH401]

Take a look at ExxonMobil's US fuel requirement map, it'll tell you where you can still get regular gasoline.

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/GFM/Files/US_Gasoline_Map.pdf