I've been buying ethanol free gas for all of my 2 stroke equipment for years and I also use it in my 4 stroke lawnmowers, lawn tractor, generator and 4 wheeler. The question is, am I wasting my money using it in the 4 stroke machines? It is about $5.20 now compared to $2.95 for regular gas. Thanks, Larry
Ethanol Free gas
- Thread starter larrypac
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I find it pays for itself in not having to repair/replace carburetors and hoses. I use it in all the 2 cycle stuff, and in motorcycles that are in the shop. I maintain lawnmowers for a few older folks & keep my #1 lady supplied with it because the engine starts easier which means I don't get a "it won't start" call.
In my power equipment and my old vehicles 100% non E . My new vehicles used every day or so get 10% E gas. 91 octane non E is $3.89 a gallon now
I have used recreational fuel (non-E) for probably the past 6-7 years in all of my small engines after spending too much money on carbs, hoses, and rebuilds. When you factor those costs in, the price difference doesn't seem so bad.
I've used regular fuel for years without much problem. One mower we have is over 30yrs old, gets regular unleaded and runs fine. I think it's more hype to use non ethanol gas than anything and you are wasting your money.
Boy will I get attacked for this.
Boy will I get attacked for this.
All real gas in my equipment. Never had to go into carbs in tractors and such I've ran 30+ years. When E10 came out I found myself rebuilding and cleaning those carbs. Sometimes it looked like snot/phlegm inside the carbs.
Here is a E10 experience from this summer. Was mowing with a 1972 Ford LGT145 (14 HP Kohler ) lawn tractor using non-E10.
Ran out of gas and needed to finish before rain. No stations close by with real gas so got some E10 premium and finished up. Figured I could run it through without doing harm.......
Next time I need to use the tractor I had restocked with non-E10 refilled the tank. Tractor ran like crap?
There was so much water in the E10 left in the tank, adding the real gas to it caused the water to separate. Lucky I keep dry gas on hand, added some and ran the tank dry.
Here is a E10 experience from this summer. Was mowing with a 1972 Ford LGT145 (14 HP Kohler ) lawn tractor using non-E10.
Ran out of gas and needed to finish before rain. No stations close by with real gas so got some E10 premium and finished up. Figured I could run it through without doing harm.......
Next time I need to use the tractor I had restocked with non-E10 refilled the tank. Tractor ran like crap?
There was so much water in the E10 left in the tank, adding the real gas to it caused the water to separate. Lucky I keep dry gas on hand, added some and ran the tank dry.
Matt81
Bliss: Saw full of fuel and yard full of trees!
All my chainsaws, pole pruners, trimmers, hedgers and small engines like mowers , chippers and log splitters all use 100% ethanol free fuel. Never had a single problem. Sometimes i have even left fuel in a saw for a long time by accident and it still starts up just fine.
Friend of mine who said it was all nonsense has had 2 chainsaws and a trimmer all pack up from using ethanol fuel.
The extra cost is worth it for not getting the issues that can come. For me in my part of the world the difference in cost is minimal to get ethanol free fuel. Not the case for everyone i know.
Friend of mine who said it was all nonsense has had 2 chainsaws and a trimmer all pack up from using ethanol fuel.
The extra cost is worth it for not getting the issues that can come. For me in my part of the world the difference in cost is minimal to get ethanol free fuel. Not the case for everyone i know.
I'll add in my saws unless I'm cutting a LOT, I use 100LL. Stores mixed or unmixed indefinitely in sealed metal cans.
Depends on how often you use your equipment, and seems to be area dependent.
Around here, E10 for daily/weekly use is fine, monthly is starting to push it.
Beyond that, E0 is good for yearly. Still drain the carb and run it dry.
Beyond that, premix canned fuel.
Around here, E10 for daily/weekly use is fine, monthly is starting to push it.
Beyond that, E0 is good for yearly. Still drain the carb and run it dry.
Beyond that, premix canned fuel.
I'm not running leaded fuel in anything that exhausts where I'm breathing. Got enough issues, that's not a dragon whose tail I need to tug on. Too many easily obtainable alternatives.
altatim
ArboristSite Operative
I used to run ethanol free in everything except my commuter but since our politicians decided it was killing our environment you can only buy canned gas now that is ethanol free. I've heard about getting avgas and there are a few wholesalers near me that sell by the drum so thats going to be my next try. I just have to live by the rules of use it often or buy $20 canned gas.
Everything I own that's 2-stroke or 4-stroke gets non ethanol.
The effects of corn fuel is not an 'ole wives tale, I've seen those effects first hand.
The effects of corn fuel is not an 'ole wives tale, I've seen those effects first hand.
Anomander
ArboristSite Lurker
No doubt you will.
I have a Snapper weed eater that I put mixed regular gas in last year. In fact I've only ever used regular in that weed eater that only sees action a couple of times a year. I went to crank it the other day as it had been probably a year, maybe longer since I had last used it. I was pleasantly surprised when it cranked on the second pull. I'm not saying nothing has been affected by the regular gas, but I can't point to anything being wrong either. With that said, I have Ethanol free gas set aside for my generator and chainsaw. Thankfully I don't use either of them enough to make enough of an economic impact to be tempted to just use regular.
It's funny but all these dire warnings about regular gas with ethanol in it just hasn't come true for me. I've used small engines for several decades with no problem from the gas.
Anomander
ArboristSite Lurker
All of this is anecdotal, but it makes one wonder if there might be other variables at play.
Could be. IDK
I'm not paying $$$ for canned fuel when the saws sometimes sit for months. I know the fuel will be good when I need it. If I'm milling or cutting a lot EO and use it all up.
Health effects for occasional use are about nil.
I have two tanks, a 3 gallon and a 15 gallon, that I use for my 1998 50 Johnson two stroke outboard.
Pure gas in the 3 gallon.
10% ethanol in the 15 gallon.
At the end of every cruise I run on the three gallon for about five minutes. I can't run this carb empty as it is an oil/gas mixing carb/fuel pump.
At the start up of every cruise I start up on the 15 gallon, switching fuel lines over from the three gallon.
Works great.
My log splitter has a 1990 18 hp Briggs I. C. engine.
Has a ten gallon tank and I use 10% ethanol.
At the end of every splitting session I cut off the fuel supply and let it run until it dies.
I rebuilt the carb about 8 years ago.
Works great.
My rule of thumb for 10% ethanol fuel is never to leave it sitting in a carb. And never let the fuel get more than a month or two old.
I use pure gas, 90 octane, in all of my chainsaws with oil mixed 40/1. If I believe a chainsaw is going to sit for more than a few months I start the saw and while it is running I pour the fuel out of the tank into my chainsaw fuel can, and then run it until it dies.
Has worked great for years.
Pure gas in the 3 gallon.
10% ethanol in the 15 gallon.
At the end of every cruise I run on the three gallon for about five minutes. I can't run this carb empty as it is an oil/gas mixing carb/fuel pump.
At the start up of every cruise I start up on the 15 gallon, switching fuel lines over from the three gallon.
Works great.
My log splitter has a 1990 18 hp Briggs I. C. engine.
Has a ten gallon tank and I use 10% ethanol.
At the end of every splitting session I cut off the fuel supply and let it run until it dies.
I rebuilt the carb about 8 years ago.
Works great.
My rule of thumb for 10% ethanol fuel is never to leave it sitting in a carb. And never let the fuel get more than a month or two old.
I use pure gas, 90 octane, in all of my chainsaws with oil mixed 40/1. If I believe a chainsaw is going to sit for more than a few months I start the saw and while it is running I pour the fuel out of the tank into my chainsaw fuel can, and then run it until it dies.
Has worked great for years.
Anomander
ArboristSite Lurker
Sounds like a solid course of action.
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