Ethonal strikes again

[T...K21]

Am I the only person in the world who runs them dry then drains and replaces oil at the end of each season.

Then again, I can't imagine what it is like in states with perpetual growing season... Mower and Thrower both need a break once in awhile.

No...your're not the only one. I change the plugs, oil, filters (where applicable), and re-sharpen blades at the end of the season. I guess if the gas is the culprit...I'm going to have to start draining my tanks too.

I run super unleaded in my Stihl chainsaws and never had a problem. I guess I can try using super unleaded on everything else and see if that makes a difference.

Who knows...Maybe the fill stations in my area may have bunk gas. Never had a problem before until we moved here. We only have a Shell and a Sinclair in this part of the county. (Pretty rural...)

While I'm thinking about it...If you guys have a Napa in your area...Watch for their filter sales. It occurs couple times a year and are about 50 percent off usual price.

[CaptRandy]

It acts as a washing agent and cleans the walls of old tanks of the gums that built up over time. That gets into the gas and go through filters that are too course to filter it out and eventually eats the aluminum of carbs etching the surfaces. It breaks down rubber components of the fuel system as it goes through the lines. It washes old gummy oil off the walls of the cylinders and gets into the crankcase. Take apart a marine engine that has run ethanol and see the damage. Outboard builders are planning on voiding warranties if the ethanol goes to 15%. Older boats with fiberglass tanks were time bombs as the ethanol wold deteriorate the resin to the point that leaks occurred and the gas leaked into the bilges. Start an engine with fuel in the bilge and you won't start another engine.

[T...K21]

It acts as a washing agent and cleans the walls of old tanks of the gums that built up over time. That gets into the gas and go through filters that are too course to filter it out and eventually eats the aluminum of carbs etching the surfaces. It breaks down rubber components of the fuel system as it goes through the lines. It washes old gummy oil off the walls of the cylinders and gets into the crankcase. Take apart a marine engine that has run ethanol and see the damage. Outboard builders are planning on voiding warranties if the ethanol goes to 15%. Older boats with fiberglass tanks were time bombs as the ethanol wold deteriorate the resin to the point that leaks occurred and the gas leaked into the bilges. Start an engine with fuel in the bilge and you won't start another engine.

That has got me curious....I'll have to check on my outboard and the Sheriff's Dept.'s as well.

[jking]

Just a note that I too use 89 or higher for my small engines and 20hp lawn tractor. None of the stations in my area sell ethonol free gas.

I find it rather ironic that I live in an area that is very favorable to ethanol use because of the amount of corn production & every station around here sells both ethanol blended fuel & non-ethanol blended, but, it sounds like many other areas only sell ethanol blended fuel.

[sweensdv]

I find it rather ironic that I live in an area that is very favorable to ethanol use because of the amount of corn production & every station around here sells both ethanol blended fuel & non-ethanol blended, but, it sounds like many other areas only sell ethanol blended fuel.

It is getting harder to find gas stations around here that sell pure gasoline. I know of only one in my immediate area and I think the only reason they sell it is because they also specialize in small engine repair.

[schloff]

For what it's worth, I only use premium w/o ethanol in my mid 90s Dodge V6. Ethanol makes it sputter and die at idle. Even driving, you can feel hesitations on the cheap stuff. I thougth my truck was dying, and started looking for a replacement when I tried the fuel upgrade. It makes a huge difference.

The only non alcohol in my area is premium, so I use it. My chainsaw likes premium, too. I'm not chancing a screwed up carb on my saw for a few cents per gallon.

I wish they wouldn't have forced this nonsene on us.

[CaptRandy]

We have no choice around Phila PA, even at the shore at marinas.

[Lonnie in Orlando]

I run ethanol-free gas in my '54 Chevy pickup. And started using in my lawn equipment a few months ago. A station close to my house in downtown Orlando sells 89 octane ethanol-free gas for about $4.35 ... about 20-30cents more than premium gas with 10% ethanol. It costs almost $7.00/gal at a marina and an airport north of Orlando.

Here are some sites that show stations that sell ethanol-free gas.
http://www.fueltestkit.com/find_etha..._gasoline.html
http://pure-gas.org/
http://www.historicvehicle.org/Commi...e/Pure-Gas-Map
http://www.buyrealgas.com/

- Lonnie

[Pappy]

The last 2 links show a map with locator 'pins'. Nothing within 100 miles of me.

[leehljp]

Here are some sites that show stations that sell ethanol-free gas.
http://www.fueltestkit.com/find_etha..._gasoline.html
http://pure-gas.org/
http://www.historicvehicle.org/Commi...e/Pure-Gas-Map
http://www.buyrealgas.com/

- Lonnie

This is GREAT! I never thought to look this info up! The nearest to me is about 25 miles. And I go by there about once a week. At least I can get me a 5 gallon can for my machines.

I am not having a problem with ethanol as others have but I am using the higher octane ethanol. The price will work out to be about the same, if not maybe 50 cents more.

Thanks Lonnie!

[CaptRandy]

trying to post a few photos of ethanol results

[T...K21]

Is that from using regular unleaded with ethonal? With a fuel filter?

[CaptRandy]

Ethanol without a 10 micron fuel filter, the ethanol cleaned the inside of the tank and it went through a regular fuel filter.