Gasoline Quality

[kyratshooter]

Has anyone else had an issue with the quality of gasoline for use in small engines and equipment this summer?

I have been forced to move to high test gas in all of my machines from garden tractor to weed eater. The gear simply refuses to run when used with regular gas no matter what the brand I use.

I have also note that when the gas goes more then a couple of weeks in the can the tools start sputtering and lose compression. Most of the time they will start and idle but when power is applied the croak and stall. And it is uniform across the board, tractor, two mowers, weed eaters and chain saws.

Anyone else having issues?

[hunter63]

So far no problem as long as the gas is fresh.
I don't have a problem unless I leave it in a can or machine for any length of time.

Out here (in the boonies) at "The Place" we can get straight gas, no alcohol added.
Just picked up a can, only a couple of gallons for the 4 wheeler and to mix up a batch for the weed whacker and chainsaw...
$ wheeler has gas in it from a couple of weeks ago and is running fine.

Was weed whacking yesterday, about put me down....LOL.

[kyratshooter]

No one would believe how certain things as simple as running a weed whacker will put you on your butt after you have had a heart attack. Other things do not bother me but a half hour of weed trimming will put me down for the rest of the day and make me wonder if I am being set up for another "big one". That and hiking uphill!

Trimming the weeds is when I wish that 16 year old grandson of mine lived closer.

[randyt]

I've been using "no alcohol" gas in all my small engines. No troubles thus far.

[Batch]

Yeah, we have fits with ethanol fuel here. You can add Stabile to prolong it. Otherwise it will clog the jets.

[natertot]

With small engines, ethanol and E-85 are both not suitable. Be sure you are not using either of those. The octane level where I live are 87, 89 and 93. I find that my mower, weed eater, and chainsaw (all are 4 stroke) will run on the 87 octane but they do act weak when doing so. I have bumped up to 89 octane and everything runs a lot smoother. The gas I have in the can is currently about 2-3mos old. I mowed and trimmed just a few days ago without a problem. Be sure that you are storing the gas in an air tight container. Standing gas gives off fumes that will vaporize out of a bad can leaving the fuel "flat" or "stale" causing issues. That is why cars now have the gas cap lights, to prevent bad gas from forming and entering the engine causing damage. Additives like Stabil or Sea Foam are great for long term storage such as over winter. I find that gas only a few months old during the summer does not effect gas and that additives are not needed at all.

Just my experiences.

[LowKey]

I always add Stabil to my gas, no matter the season.
The only small engine that gives me trouble is the weed wacker. I bought that as a refurb. It hates me. But other than that, no real issues (he said before trying to start the leaf shredder and roto-tiller for the fall cleanup.)

[Batch]

The thing is if you live in an urban environment you are going to have a hard time finding any fuel without ethanol added. Adding Stabil is an inexpensive insurance. I never know when I am going to next run my ATV's or generators.

I have been told that in urban areas they don't expect the gas to sit as long as in rural areas. One thing with ethanol is pure ethanol binds very readily with water molecules. It literately draws the moisture from the air. That is the reason you never could get you hootch to come out your fancy reflux still over 192 proof. It starts watering itself down.

Once the water binds with the ethanol it forms a gummy substance that clogs the jets. So, as was said keeping a lid on it is advised.

[natertot]

The thing is if you live in an urban environment you are going to have a hard time finding any fuel without ethanol added. Adding Stabil is an inexpensive insurance. I never know when I am going to next run my ATV's or generators.

I have been told that in urban areas they don't expect the gas to sit as long as in rural areas. One thing with ethanol is pure ethanol binds very readily with water molecules. It literately draws the moisture from the air. That is the reason you never could get you hootch to come out your fancy reflux still over 192 proof. It starts watering itself down.

Once the water binds with the ethanol it forms a gummy substance that clogs the jets. So, as was said keeping a lid on it is advised.

The availability of ethanol depends on the part of the US more than urban vs rural. In SW ohio, ethanol is very rare to come by regardless of rural or urban. In my home state of Iowa, ethanol is everywhere and the only thing that isn't ethanol is the high 93 octane. If the gas is going to sit for a while, like in an atv or over winter, then yes I would most definitely add a preservative. For mid or high octane non-ethanol gas stored in a tight container for a few months or less, I think additives are not needed. Just my experience.

[Rick]

The only places around here that sell it is the local Co-op and the Marina. Try this site. Just select your state from the list:

http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=IN

[Wildthang]

I always keep a lot of gasoline through the winter months for my generator in case of a blizzard. In the fall I fill up around 8, 5 gallon containers and add stabilizer. I try to use it through the winter and refill the containers but normally forget to. The gas burns just fine in my mowers and equipment after it sits in the shed all winter. There are 2 refineries close by so I must be getting really fresh ethanol free fuel here!

[hunter63]

Soooooo....This morning the neighbor brought over his almost new, used twice, 22 ton log splitter....gonna give me a hand splitting up my pile of rounds.
Had sat in his barn all summer....so had drained the gas this morning, and refiled with fresh for the station gas.

Tried to start it, and couldn't get the primer bulb to pump gas thru.....So No go.
Shot it with ether starter juice.....ran fine till ether ran out......
So we have fire.

Took off gas line, had flow, removed line after the mini in line filter, had flow......
Used the air compressor to blow thru the carb...and would blow gas mist out of vent hole......No go.

Dribbled gas into carb neck...ran....but no go.

Loosened up bowl drain on the carb...had flow....
Still no prime and no go....

I think the float needle and seat may have gotten crap in it for draining gas completely from tank.

Last I heard he was headed back to dealer.........and was sooooo pizzzzzed off....the just sit there and don't say nothing pizzed off...

So used the electric 4 ton electric splitter to do a couple of round...had lunch, and took my nap.

Now I need to find out how come my chain saw won't prime either?
Like WTF........Really?

[Batch]

I use my torch cleaners to clean out the gum in the jets. I try to run long term storage equipment flat out of gas and drop in some marvel oil and crank it a couple of times to lube everything up. Otherwise stabilizer and run it regularly.

[hunter63]

Soooo, after the neighbor watch 50 You tubes, and made a visit to the hardware store to pick the brain of the resident Guru, gets back with a couple of cans of "mechanic in a can" carbcleaner and starter fluid....mechanic doesn't like ether, rather use WD 40...????

Anyway tore off filter plate, and bowl....(bowl filled the crap)....blasted all small holes with spray stuff in the carb,.... then blew out....put every thing back together.....BINGO Back running!

Time for beers....will hit the splitting again in the morning.....
(Note, Do not drink several beers and split wood....LOL...safety first!)

[Wise Old Owl]

Has anyone else had an issue with the quality of gasoline for use in small engines and equipment this summer?

I have been forced to move to high test gas in all of my machines from garden tractor to weed eater. The gear simply refuses to run when used with regular gas no matter what the brand I use.

I have also note that when the gas goes more then a couple of weeks in the can the tools start sputtering and lose compression. Most of the time they will start and idle but when power is applied the croak and stall. And it is uniform across the board, tractor, two mowers, weed eaters and chain saws.

Anyone else having issues?

Yes and you are f-ed by the govt cheese..... Lets keep this in perspective. I am not the messenger. ETHANOL is the problem. It absorbs water and cannot be pipe transported...It can only be trucked. We as a nation import corn -not export. We burn enough corn to feed two third world nations.. The gas clogs and rusts and eats rubber parts... so it really is corn fed Ethanol. we now import natural corn to feed chicken from Turkey. Go figure.

Well You cannot leave gas in the tank anymore.. you need lots of stabel and you need prime... welcome to the club. Blame the polotics.

[Wise Old Owl]

I've been using "no alcohol" gas in all my small engines. No troubles thus far.

Uh how? are you in Alaska?

[Rick]

WOO - See post 10. There's a link to stations with no alcohol gas.

[TXyakr]

Be careful how you store it. I know of some foolish folks who have stored hundreds of gallons of alcohol free gasoline in above ground tanks in buildings (indoors) which is very dangerous and illegal in most places due to the fumes. Tempting to do if you must drive a long ways to purchase it but not worth the risk IMO. Most rural agricultural people that I know (friends and family) follow the regulations very carefully for both gasoline and diesel fuel.

Spray Carburator cleaner works OK for me, a tank soaking if it is very bad...
Easy to find cheap used lawn equipment if you know how to clean it these days...

I don't fill up for a trip until I get out of town and find a station that is low or zero in corn fuel, except in winter but that may change when Corn Distributers fund Congress re-elections enough to get corn fuel everywhere all year round, and IOWA is solid corn with massive petroleum products used to grow it making Congressmen indispensable. Lawyers are smart that way... Maximize the middleman grow the economy that way and make them all fund their campaigns... Sell more carburator cleaning fluids and new cars, small engines with more horse power... BRILLIANT!!!

Science education is a FAIL, marketing and law a success!

[hunter63]

Be careful how you store it. I know of some foolish folks who have stored hundreds of gallons of alcohol free gasoline in above ground tanks in buildings (indoors) which is very dangerous and illegal in most places due to the fumes. Tempting to do if you must drive a long ways to purchase it but not worth the risk IMO. Most rural agricultural people that I know (friends and family) follow the regulations very carefully for both gasoline and diesel fuel.

I disagree to a point.....
Just a thought....
Friend is the local bulk plant owner/operator.

He would provide and bring out a 200 gal bulk tank (or as big as you want) with "farm gas" or diesel as long as you have a USDA farm number and /or have farm plates on vehicles.
This fuel does not have road tax on it (big part or the price)....and is more formulated to run in tractors, trucks and other equipment.
Stores much better as well.

Seems the only catch is.....You need to use enough to make it worth while for them to service your farm.

We have talked about this...at the saloon, many times (many world problems are solved in saloons...at least till closing time)...but adding in the fact that I am not "out here" at all times....and the price ($2.46 yesterday).....theft is a big issue.

So SHTF, everyone is out of fuel.......and some one says, "Hey, I know a guy that has bulk tanks....and there is only one of him......Lets go a get some."
So haven't done it, nor am planning on it.....at least as far as anyone knows...nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

Point is bulk fuel can be, and is being done, a lot..... and is about as safe as anything on a farm.
Take a drive and check the big tanks in the back of most farms and ranches.

[TXyakr]

It can be illegal! I know a guy in the City of Dallas who had a 500 gallon tank sitting in the back service/storage area of his restaurant. The fire marshal was NOT happy about that!

It is intended for agriculture and other legitimate rural uses as I mentioned in my comment, but I was not dispensing legal advice. I assume anyone who passed 5th grade can read up on the legal regulations in their area and figure it out for themselves and use some common sense unlike the owner to this un-named restaurant which I avoid like the plague!