Using expensive pre-mix fuel versus mixing my own

[Texasmark]

Your money, your effort. Make your own decisions. Geez gimme a break!

 

[Redlands Okie]

Between my weed eater - Stihl FS350 - & Stihl chain saws, I go thru around five gallons of fuel a year. I mix my own - 87 octane gas with 10% alcohol, Stabil & Stihl 2 cycle oil. Been using this combination for the 35 years I've been here and never had a moments problem with this fuel mix.

Not trying to start anything. Your bio says your up in North West USA ? Genuine curiosity that you have been able to buy ethanol gas for 35 years ? Or are you adding some other alcohol product to get the 10%. Just curious and really has nothing to do with the topic.

 

[oosik]

No, you are correct. Honestly, I've got no idea how long they have been putting alcohol in our gas here - but, for sure, its not been 35 years. Probably more like ten years. Whatever it is - I've noticed no problems with the gasohol.

I never have drained my gas from any of my small engines and have never had any problems with gummed up carbs etc. However, I have always put Stabil in the mix for any/all of my small engines. Maybe that is why I've not had carb problems.

And I'm almost exactly 25 miles due SW of Spokane, WA - - as the crow flies.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I've used Stabil Marine 360 in all my gasoline for 2 plus years now and have eliminated all my small engine problems.



About $17 for 32 oz. 1/2 oz treats a 5 gallon container.

I use this in our 96 Corvette that has been driven about 500 miles in last three years. Always starts easily and runs great.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Thanks oosik, i notice you and several other mention stabil product. I also have been using it and at times wondered if it was worth it. Guess with what i am reading on this topic and others its a good thing to keep using. Thanks to plowhog for the topic to start with .....

 

[Oaktree]

And all the gas in my area is 10% ethanol blended. Never caused me a problem. I really don't understand what others are doing that it causes them problems.

Some equipment seems to be fussier about fuel than others. I have one string trimmer that runs like crap on ethanol mix, I picked up a can of the pre-mix to use in that. I get a couple years out of a can.
Rest of my stuff (chainsaws, heavier-duty weed whacker) seem to run fine on E10 mix, so that's what I use.
Likewise other 4 stroke small engines...lawntractor & mower, logsplitter, generator, ATV, snowmobile...no ill effects from E10 on them either.