All this hype about ethanol fuel, I have had zero problems . you guys?

[fastfredracing]

I do have a jag here that is dead from bad fuel, but it has been sitting for 4 years.
All my equipment, started right up this season. I am not real good about using stabil either. I have 3 tractors, 2 lawnmowers, 3 weedwhackers, blowers, generators, pressure washer, etc. I just run em', and put them away at the end of the season.
Every spring, I am fearful of carburetor rebuilds, but so far, not a single issue.
I just pulled everything out over the past weekend, and other than my stihl weed eater running a little rough for a minute or so, everything is up and running as it should
Have you guys seen any real world problems yet?
My buddy runs an equipment store, and says they replace lots of carburetors every week.

[VINMAN]

Every piece of outdoor power equipment I own, I've had to replace the fuel components on. My PWC pretty much had the fuel lines dissolve on it. Also had issues on my boat. My fire dept's power saws and generators have had problems also. Now we run ethanol free " Tool Fuel" in everything.

.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I'm convinced my "late" 951's engine fire was the result of fuel line degradation due to ethanol in the gas. YMMV. Ignore the issue at your own risk.

I miss my 951...

[74-911]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

Every piece of outdoor power equipment I own, I've had to replace the fuel components on. .

This. In particular the fuel line in the fuel tank connected to the fuel filter/weight just crumbling. Also issues with clogged up carbs if the motor sits for several months . Ethanol is just one big PITA when it comes to 2 cycle engines in particular...

[GH85Carrera]

I am luck enough to have two gas stations within a 1/2 mile that sell 100% gas. So for that reason gasohol has not been an issue. On my yearly trips out of town in the 911 I just ignore it and use whatever gas is at the next station. I did replace the rubber engine compartment fuel lines when I had the engine out last. And I use Stabil in the fall when I drive the 911 a lot less even with my 100% gas.

[OffCamber00]

I have had the same issues w/ my 2 cycle engines. no issues w/ our cars tho.

[Oh Haha]

No issues with vehicles but I use Seafoam in my tanks. I use it in my lawn tool fuel as well.

The fuel lines on my weedeater disintegrated this week but the PO didn't use anything in the fuel. My neighbor gave it to me last year when she hired a lawn service.

The new lines are TYGON and should outlive the tool.

[nota]

my theory, it is not the alcohol in the gas
it is the water the alcohol collects
then the alcohol evaporates over time leaving behind the water
and the water corrodes the system

as most of the problems are not quick
but if the ''gas'' is left in the tank for awhile

I note mixed 2stroke fuel has a bigger quicker problem
as near every time I used a small outboard
I had to pull the carb bowl and drain the water out

any turbo guys run E85 ?
does more alcohol cause more corrosion ?

[VincentVega]

I've tried various treatments and still replace a carb every year or so. New lines in the snowblower, weedwacker, chainsaw... in the past year.

[1990C4S]

I only buy premium fuel for use on yard tools. I've never had a problem, but I have mostly two-strokes.

[yazhound]

Phaser 3000 is a product the local saw / outdoor tool shop swears by... "phases" components of the ethonol fuel back together, since I have used it I have had not problems. prior to I have had similiar issues with my yard equipment.. bastard corn growers.....

[flipper35]

In CA we had issues because there was not local 100% gas available. Where we are now I have not had any issues because we can run 100% gas in anything that isn't made to use 10% or higher ethanol blends.

[turbobrat930]

Originally Posted by nota

my theory, it is not the alcohol in the gas
it is the water the alcohol collects
then the alcohol evaporates over time leaving behind the water
and the water corrodes the system

as most of the problems are not quick
but if the ''gas'' is left in the tank for awhile

I note mixed 2stroke fuel has a bigger quicker problem
as near every time I used a small outboard
I had to pull the carb bowl and drain the water out

any turbo guys run E85 ?
does more alcohol cause more corrosion ?

I am setup to run E-85 (or E-100 for that matter). I am currently running just 93 pump gas. (tuning for E-85 very soon).
You are correct in your statement that its not the ethanol that causes the damage, its the water that separates from the ethanol over time ( Ethanol is hygroscopic).

Most, if not all of us turbo guys that switch over to it use PTFE (teflon) coated fuel lines, bigger injectors, and bigger fuel pumps in order to realize the awesome performance advantage by running it.

And correct, using it in small engines (lawn equip) sucks!

I would only caution people from using petro with ethanol in it, if your car sits for a long period of time, or if its and older car, and has the old school rubber lines in the fuel system, etc.

[Deschodt]

I'm with you on that... so far...

Zero Ethanol free pumps near me in the last 6yrs. Never had *any* issues with the old cars, some of which even sat for a year during resto (with Stabil obviously). I'm about to get my 2002 back after over a year - we shall see - but apaprently it still runs well enough to go from the paint booth to outside to cure. Only problem I've had was with garden equipment and the generator (unused for along time), but that's more "bad gas" in general than Ethanol related. No fire, rust or whatever... I don't doubt it's true - I'm with Jay Leno on this - but I guess I drive them more than most or use stabil wisely? And...I just jinxed myself now, car fire in 3...2...1 ;-(

[fireant911]

I purchased a brush cutter a few month's back and, because of all the other problems that I have experienced with my other two-strokes, I have used nothing but no-ethanol fuel in this new piece of equipment. I have also switched my zero-turn mower over to no-ethanol fuel too. Go and talk to some of the small engine repair folks and see what their take is on the this ethanol-enhanced fuel. My younger brother works at a JD dealership and whenever a weedeater is brought in for repair, the first thing they do is replace the carburetor which fixes 95% of the issues (this action was NOT required prior to the introduction of ethanol blended fuel).

How could I forget to add this? I just bought a new generator this past weekend for a camping expedition and would not even consider firing it up for the first time UNLESS it had no ethanol fuel.

[rusnak]

My lawnmower fuel lines seem to need replacing every 2 years now.

I use Marine Stabil, and 2 cycle Stihl gas from the can.

My Honda pump needed a carb rebuild last year, but the El Cheapo HF biggie generator seems to like the ethanol fuel. Who'd have known?

[on2wheels52]

ie, the smaller the engine, the worse it is to use the blend.
Jim

[Evans, Marv]

I have a bunch of gasoline powered small machines, almost too many to list it seems like. I don't keep fuel in them any longer than I have to. On every piece, I drain the tank or use a bulb to suck the left over fuel out of the tank and run the engine dry. Then I drain the carb bowl. I also use marine Stabil, & if I have a batch that gets too old (in my judgment), I use it for something else if I can. I also spend the few cents extra to get 91 octane in hoped it makes them run cooler. It's a bit of extra effort but I've had really good luck. If I have a piece of equipment that will be setting for a long time, I also blow a little bit of fogging oil in the combustion chamber.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

Every piece of outdoor power equipment I own, I've had to replace the fuel components on. My PWC pretty much had the fuel lines dissolve on it. Also had issues on my boat. My fire dept's power saws and generators have had problems also. Now we run ethanol free " Tool Fuel" in everything.

.

Tool Fuel? I don't see that in Google.

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Tool Fuel? I don't see that in Google.

I think he's got the name wrong:

http://www.amazon.com/TruFuel-6525638-50-Pre-Blended-Equipment/dp/B00F2ZH9UW