Overheated Robin EH72-FI (28 hp) in PT-425 solved

[MossRoad]

Good grief! Ethanol strikes again!

Glad you got it running well again. :thumbsup:

 

[Marks481]

BAD GAS !!!

Quite the coincidence.

Last week, I filled up my tank with a can of gas that had been sitting over the winter, drove about 100 yards, and it started to sputter, miss, and smoke. Shutdown a couple of times, almost impossible to restart. No question in my mind what was wrong, since it had worked great the day before. Dumped that gas back in the gas can, ran got another can of gas. Within 3 minutes, the engine was running smooth again.

Amazing what time will do to the stuff in your tank. Guess that is one of the big advantages of having a diesel engine...

 

[MossRoad]

I've never had bad gas.... in my tractor, that is! :cool2:

 

[SpringHollow]

Well, there goes the idea of having a PT picnic sometime

 

[MossRoad]

Outdoor event, for sure.

 

[BobRip]

Are you guys using Stabil?

 

[MossRoad]

That's a good question and I wonder if it would help them? I suppose it could be a regional gas issue or brand issue.

Personally, I only use Stabil in my generator's tank. I use 6 gallon cans, three of them, for my PT425 and other small equipment. I fill them up before the first snowfall and they last all winter. I'm down to my last 2-3 gallons now, so I used 15-16 gallons since last November. So, I'm getting 5-6 months out of 10% ethanol without additives. No problems for me in 14 years. I go through much more in the spring/summer/fall.

 

[jfischer]

I use it in things that I intend to store, or not use that much. Seems if gas (at least in my area is not used for a month or so, and has been opened) it tends to start to go bad. It really seems to loose the octane, and loose power. The Stabil seems to help that. I also used to buy High Test all the time, but with the PT I only buy regular, as I will go though 5 gallons in a week or two. I know that will slow down, when I end up not using the machine as much, and then I will start treating the gas with the Stabil. I have done it for years, and never had any problems or had to take carbs off and clean them, so I will stick to what works.

I also don't keep large amounts in anything I am going to store, just enough to start them every month or so, like my Honda Generator, and charge the battery up and put a load on it. I can tell when the fuel does get old in it, as when it wants more power to kick it off the slow cycle (It is a 6500 Invertor series) It will end up killing the motor, as it can't keep up with the load.

I am in the Northern VA area, and I KNOW that there is more then 10% alcohol in the last few years. I can go down to Tazwell, and it is about 375 mies or so from here, and fill up down there and get 5 mpg better mileage, and this is in different vehicles, so know it isn't just a one time thing, as I have done this a few times. Got to love the fact that the alcohol is saving us money. :laughing:

 

[SpringHollow]

I use Stabil in every can of gas - too often, I think I will get to finishing a job and before I know it, a month has gone by. I would rather waste the Stabil 90% of the time vs needing it and not having put it in.

Ken

 

[MuncyBob]

I use Stabil when gas will be sitting awhile, us Startron with every fill up. Question regarding higher octane: does this cause the engine to burn hotter? If so, would it not be advisable to go lower octane for those of us trying to keep the engines cooler?