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

[ponytug]

+1 For Stabil. I use it and 89, 89 octane gas, because a generator, a chain saw and a trimmer require it. Moving from 87 to 89 octane made a big, big difference for the chain saw and trimmer. I was thrashing around trying to adjust the carbs and not getting great performance. I was rather surprised that the small difference made a difference, but it did.

Diesel goes bad too. It doesn't evaporate and precipitate crud, you just start growing slime (algae) in it. So, yes, I use an algaecide (SeaFoam) in the diesel. Given the cost of engine repairs and overhauls, I'd rather buy the additive in bulk, and not worry about how old that fuel is, or worse what am I going to do with the bad fuel.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Gary Fowler]

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.

You are one lucky fellow. I let my 26 HP B&S engine mower set over the winter (about 4 months) with regular 10% ethanol and no Stabil and it wouldn't even fire on the old gas. I thought for sure I was in for a carb overhaul but removed the old gas, filled up with fresh and she started right up. I poured the approximately 1 gallon of gasoline out on my drive way and was going to just burn it off. I wouldn't even catch fire with a match. I had to get my propane torch out to get it started to burn and it smoked like burning old tires. I Stabil treat all my gasoline now when there is even a remote possibility of long term storage. It is cheaper than a carb overhaul for sure.

 

[BobRip]

When I buy gas, I take Stabil with me and put it In each can after filling. I don't bring gas home without treating it except for car and Truck

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have had gas set in two vehicles for 8 months with no adverse effects but in a mower, 2-3 months and it is crud. I left my Chevy truck and wifes Oldsmobile setting for two different periods of over 8 month each time and other than batteries being low, they started right up and ran just as normally. I don't know about decrease in gas mileage but they ran good.

What could be the difference in this? Both mowers and cars are in covered, unheated areas.

 

[cqaigy2]

When i empty a can of gas, i put stabil in it. When i fill the can, there's stabil already in it and it get mixed well. When i did it in reverse, i never remembered to bring the stabil with me to the station.

I have all kinda tricks to make up for being ADD w/bad memory. Squirrel! :laughing:

 

[BobRip]

I have had gas set in two vehicles for 8 months with no adverse effects but in a mower, 2-3 months and it is crud. I left my Chevy truck and wifes Oldsmobile setting for two different periods of over 8 month each time and other than batteries being low, they started right up and ran just as normally. I don't know about decrease in gas mileage but they ran good.

What could be the difference in this? Both mowers and cars are in covered, unheated areas.

I am thinking that the mower gas tank is more vented and thus the volatile components of gas evaporate more quickly. Cars have a charcoal canister to slow down the evaporation, I believe. Vented, but not as much as the mower. Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

 

[ponytug]

Cars have vapor recovery systems (EPA mandated) that keep oxygen out and the volatile components of gas in. So, yes, it should be much more stable in an automobile. The charcoal canister is part of the system on open systems, but some vehicles these days have systems that are under some amount of pressure as a way of further reducing the vapor emissions. That further seals the gasoline in and helps preserve it.

Sometimes there is an upside to emissions control systems.

All the best,

Peter

I have had gas set in two vehicles for 8 months with no adverse effects but in a mower, 2-3 months and it is crud. I left my Chevy truck and wifes Oldsmobile setting for two different periods of over 8 month each time and other than batteries being low, they started right up and ran just as normally. I don't know about decrease in gas mileage but they ran good.

What could be the difference in this? Both mowers and cars are in covered, unheated areas.

 

[jfischer]

Changes to the Subaru Exhaust

Josh and a few others had been asking me what I had done to my Exhaust on my Subaru. At first I did the wrap on the stock exhaust, added the fan and all but I still felt that there could be more done to help it.

Below I have added a few pictures to show the changes with the Subaru header and muffler. Excuse the nasty welds, the hands aren't as steady as they used to be.

 

[joshlee]

Re: Changes to the Subaru Exhaust

I like where you have it. Its far enough away from the hood to prevent from the heat radiating back into the engine. Its looks like the muffler is bolted very securely, and it seems like the muffler is out of the way from the tire enough. Its in a position that seems it would resist coming in contact with tree branches and stuff, too. I have to laugh every time I think about these Subaru header/muffler packages coming from Home Depot, of all places.

 

[joshlee]

Re: Changes to the Subaru Exhaust

I'm going to add a bracket for the muffler, yet. Maybe the I'll bring the muffler in toward the hood about an inch more, too? We'll see how it goes after the bracket is made for the muffler.