Ethanol in gasoline/ older saws

[Riwaka]

Ethanol in gasoline/ older saws

When the gasoline went unleaded we used the leaded gas from the local aeroclub, 20 years ago.
How do you keep an old saw alive now when the gas has ethanol added to it that ruins the fuel lines, carb rubber diaphragms etc?

[IndianaJoe]

only regular has ethanol. premium has little to none.  I run premium in all of my small engines.

[Gearbox]

Look for the NON OXY sticker on the pump . It will say for classic cars and small engines . One of the stations around you will have it . Myself if it goes in a can its non oxy .

[Magicman]

Our pumps state that all blends (octane ratings) contain ethanol.  We have one distributor that supplies non-ethanol at a designated pump.  That is what I use and none of my small engines have ever had ethanol in them.

[Caloren]

I tried to find non ethanol here in CA, and was surprised to find a couple of stations that had it - over 300 miles north of me!  All of my small [and big!] engines run ethanol. They all run, no big deal.

[thecfarm]

I also run the highest grade of gas I can get at my local station in all my small motors.

[Gearbox]

Farm here in MN premium just has more ethanol than regular.

[Al_Smith]

This gasoline thing with ethanol has a life of it's own and is about like the everlasting oil wars.Weather the environment is helped by it or not is debatable but never the less we are blessed with it

Lead additive has no benefit to a two cycle engine what so ever .In the day when that's all they had it was an anti knock agent and a lubricant for the exhaust valves on 4 cycle engines.Don't need it with modern gasoline and better oils than way back then

I personally think people get too hung up on it.Travel 90 miles to get marine gas or AV gas or high priced racing fuel to use in a chainsaw .I guess it's a choice though ,not for me however .The way I look at it it's a chainsaw not a 1938 Harley knuckle head or a Rolls/Royce silver cloud .

[Czech_Made]

You can find pure gas here:

http://www.pure-gas.org/

or get an app for your phone.

I run pure gas in all  my small engines and also in my antique motorcycle.  The difference is very noticeable.

[DeerMeadowFarm]

I try to run higher grade gasoline in my saws although they all have some ethanol. Two things help:
1. I usually run my saw until it's out of fuel.
2. This is just my opinion, but I think the oil mixed in with the gasoline helps. I (sound of me knocking on wood) never have problem with my two-stroke engines, just my 4-stroke ones. I think the oil forms a barrier and keeps the condensation from settling/mixing with the ethanol and forming the sludge stuff that clogs everything up.

Please note that number 2 above has no scientific proof; just a theory based on my observations/experience.

[Czech_Made]

I actually add oil to the gas in my 750 (4 stroke) Honda, people who know more than I do say it helps with guides designed for leaded gas.

[Magicman]

I not not feel that it is necessarily a small "engine/ethanol" problem but that small engines are more subject to not being regularly exercised.  Intending to crank it monthly sometimes extends into several months and hence the problem.  Small engine repair shops replace many carburetors because replacing is often more economical than hourly rate repairing/cleaning that may or may not fix the problem.

[MrMoo]

I always add Blue Stabil to my fuel tank before going to the gas station to fill them up. In addition I always add the amount for long term storage. At the gas station I always buy premium. With this mix I have never had a problem.

[DelawhereJoe]

Do any of you guys put the 1st gallon of gas into your vehicles fuel tank so you dont get the fuel that the last person used...or is it just push the button and fill the the plastic can.

[Al_Smith]

All this stuff may help but it's just the nature of the beast that eventually they all might need a carb rebuild,new seals,fuel lines.To some that task is daunting to others it's just routine maintenance.To me it's not a hard task just more or less a general nuisance .--but you don't need to do it that often .

[ZeroJunk]

I use non ethanol in all my small engines since it is no big deal around here.

But, I think it gets blamed for a lot of stuff that it had nothing to do with.

[trapper]

I put the first gallon in my truck but mostly go to the station with a separate hose for premium with no ethanol.

[LeeB]

I buy non eth at about 75 - 100 gal at a time and it usually lasts a couple months or more between the various gas engines around the place. I don't add anything to it and have never had a problem with it. The gas sits in my old C-60 dump bed for months and months. Other than starting it occasionally it gets run very little. No problems with it unless you count it catching on fire due to a leaking gasket at the sediment bowl. (that gas burnt just fine) I now keep a fire extinguisher in the truck. Had to run into the house to get one. I keep my gas in a 55 gal drum and have a hand pump. I do pump some in a glass jar to check for water before fueling up anything.

[Chop Shop]

Do any of you guys put the 1st gallon of gas into your vehicles fuel tank so you dont get the fuel that the last person used...or is it just push the button and fill the the plastic can.

This is what I do.   That hose and filter can hold a gallon easily.


I also dont worry about ethanol.   I use my saws regularly.   I run them out of fuel if Im putting them away.  Easy Peasy.   No problems.

[HolmenTree]

Yep best advice is if their going to sit for a while don't leave fuel sitting in the tank and the carb.

Here's a pic of my favorite Stihls on my bench. Just took the pic a few minutes ago.
The 090 and 066 are both 24 years old, bought new in 1992. The 044 a 10mm model from '89.
I have never replaced any rubber parts on the 090 or 066. Never had their cylinders off and they still have their original carb diaphragms. Still idle and run like champions to this day.
Always used dino Stihl Premium 40:1 mix and tried my best to keep ethanol out of them.


 

[HolmenTree]

A chainsaw carver bought the 066 and 044 last weekend.  He brought them back this morning to get the 066's rope replaced and a shorter bar on the 044

[John Mc]

only regular has ethanol. premium has little to none.  I run premium in all of my small engines.

Not true. SOME stations carry non-ethanol premium, but if it's not stated as such, there is ethanol in it. BTW, ethanol actually raises the octane rating of the gas in which it is mixed, usually by 2 or 3.

Easy to check for ethanol in gas: pour abut an inch of water in a clear bottle (I've used an empty plastic coke bottle). Mark the level of the water on the bottle. Fill the bottle almost all the way up. Shake well, and let it settle. If there is ethanol in the gas, it will combine with the water and settle out. The water-ethanol bubble in the bottom of the bottle will be higher than the mark made on the bottle if ethanol is present. If the bubble is at the same level as the mark, there is no ethanol present.

[Bret4207]

I won't put ethanol fuels in my small engines if i can avoid it at all. I know people who have never had a problem. My experience is that ethanol in our local fuel blends is death on small engines. I've seen it too many times to think it's coincidence. Plus, when you see a fuel line turn to gum on it's first dose of ethanol fuel you get a pretty good idea that it's bad stuff.

[Ox]

John Mc - this is how we can get pure gas from ethanol gas in an emergency.  Just pour off what's at the top and you're good to go.

[John Mc]

John Mc - this is how we can get pure gas from ethanol gas in an emergency.  Just pour off what's at the top and you're good to go.

If you are willing to take the 3 point drop in octane rating that results from removing the 10% ethanol.