Ethanol fuel question

[ZeroJunk]

In case anybody cares Octane rating on a gas pump is a knock rating, and has little if anything to do with how much actual Octane is in the fuel. Pure iso-octane or 2,2,4 trimethylpentane established the rating of 100 . But, they have used tetra ethyl lead, alcohol, etc. to increase octane rating.

[Timberguytim]

Good info, thanks. Having grown up right here in Duluth MN, my Dad a very good friend with Al Amatuzio, we were provided the very first samples of (1976)Amsoil 2 stroke mix 100:1. With 2 remote NW Ontario camps and plenty of 24:1 outboards, my Dad was hesitant to try it. Al said....."if you damage an outboard, I will buy you a new one". Dad says.....don't want a new one, a failure out here can cost lives. Al comes back: "We tested this stuff at 200:1, it still provides adequate lubrication at that ratio with roller and needle bearings. Don't try it in bushings at that ratio, like your pre 1965 Johnson's. Use 64:1 in any old equipment with bushings.....just to be extra safe". Al was a Genius, applied technology he learned in the Air Force on synthetics. Both him and Dad are gone, but the old motors and saws still live on including both of my XL925's......perhaps the best all around chain saw ever made. 64:1, non oxy. Now Amsoil has a 100:1 oil engineered specifically for air cooled, called "Saber". Using that product now the last 3 or 4 years, my cost 11 bucks a quart. 2 oz per gallon. Run saws often 3 hours a day, 6 days a week. 999, 970, 81 John Deere, ( all Olympics), 880 down to 041 Stihls, 77 Huskys, 90 Johnny, and of course my 925s.

 

 

 

 

[Canuck123]

For the last 14 years I've been using Star-Tron fuel additive to combat the effects of the E corn juice. After rebuilding my carbs twice within 2 months I started using the Star-Tron every time I fill up per recommendation of my mechanic. One ounce to 8 gallons of gas I believe. Supposedly lasts for two years. Haven't had a single carb problem since. Hope they stop making Ethanol. :-\

Yep a very good product have used it in my Diesel Plow Truck & Motor Coach initially for phase separation control . More recently in numerous small engine fuel applications . However most Premium Grade Synthetic oils have fuel conditioners already blended within the oil for 2 stroke applications !

[Canuck123]

Amsoil Sabre is all I use in all my air cooled 2 stroke small engines @ 50:1 . Actually also have used it for 5 yrs in my liquid cooled snowmobile as a premix oil  that contains a efuel conditioner also for storage protection !

[Timberguytim]

Excellent product. I need to use my equipment to pay the bills. Only burned up 3 saws in 45 years of firewood business, and it wasn't caused by Amsoil at 64:1. All 3 failures were my stupid mistake, running with leaky crankshaft seals....dah!

[Woodman815]

Hi there.  First timer here..  There is an app that tells you where you can find ethanol free gas.  Also look at local marine supply for products to deal with ethanol.  

[M5Pilot]

The app I use is Pure Gas.

[Timberguytim]

Good app too. Remember that if the fuel pump doesn't have a dedicated hose for non oxy, do your math and see if the last purchase was the "good stuff". I have been seen driving around the pumps doing quik math. If all purchases were ethanol, I run a gallon or two into my truck or car first, then fill my can. Most experts agree that one gallon is enough before the clear non oxy will arrive at the hose nozzle.

[Snap]

Only use non-ethonol gas in our 2 cycle equipment but I do use pump ethanol gas in all the other gas eaters in the garage and shed but the non-daily use items all get Seafoam added to the gas. It's a miracle worker for me as everything fires up and runs well after 6 month and longer layups. If there is any unevenness in the idle, fresh fuel and new Seafoam left overnight worked into the carbs straightens it right out. I just run it long enough to get the new fuel to circulate into the carbs after draining the old stuff.

[timberframe]

The successful key to using ethanol laced fuel is 'regular use'.  Letting gas sit unused in anything will lead to 'stale' gasoline whether it is ethanol or not.  We have all been there and recognize that awful varnish smell.

I had a conversation with a guy who ran his own small engine shop and he said there's nothing wrong with ethanol fuel if you use it right away.  He also said if he had made $10 000 more in sales of canned gas, he would have lost $100 000 in carb repair sales.  Use regular pump gas while you're in production mode and make the canned gas your last tank before storing.  Do this and you'll be golden.

[Timberguytim]

The problem with this thinking is that I'm ALWAYS in "production mode". Ethanol is lethal to anything rubber as well as many plastic compositions. Primary concern is fuel tubing, diaphragms, and crankshaft seals. Additives do not eliminate the alcohol. They help discourage the alcohol from "suspending water". I have repaired small and large engines long before ethanol was ever introduced. My advice is "avoid it". The effects and damage it inflicts to equipment is undeniable, as well as producing 3 percent less power at 1:10 ethanol to petrol ratio.