Great Link for all you pcommers and mostly my customers!

[+subby1]

LINK ABOUT ETHANOL PROBLEMS TO SMALL ENGINES

 

After reading this, let me dispel a couple of things that are not accurate, and could cause further damage-

 

While the article is EXCELLENT, and even gave me insight to a problem that has had me and my master mechanic scratching our heads- the part about how ethanol allowing water in, is causing premature wear to the piston, rings, and the jug. (Your engine, basically..--->>>>toasted beyond repair...within a monetary sense).

 

Also, regarding the storage of your 2-cycle equipment- it is actually BEST to keep some fuel in the machine, as long as it's treated with Sta-Bil or equivalent. Why? Because the gas will evaporate, leaving mostly the oil that was mixed in. The oil acts the opposite of what the gas/ethanol does...it will actually protect the thin synthetic membranes in the carburetor, while not in use. While this will leave a lot of oil buildup in the small carbs of weed eaters, blowers, you will find them difficult to start. If your machine has a primer bulb on it, dump the old gas, put in new gas. Use the primer bulb to flush the oil out, well enough to start the machine. In older models that use chokes, instead of primer bulbs (my favorites!), remove the air filter cover and squirt ether in the machine, while holding the throttle open. The engine should start and run for a second or maybe 4-5 secs. Repeat this about 2 more times (not more than that) and usually the vacuum from the engine will clear the oil out. If all of this fails, then you need to come see me. Your carb may be toast.

 

Having said that, on most MOWERS (or 4-stroke engines), the ethanol poses no real problems to the engine itself....it just trashes out the carb, and makes it not work.

 

MYTH- using Higher grade gasoline does NOT help. That only raises the OCTANE of the gas. It doesn't change the fact that is has ethanol in it. Stabilizer costs a small fraction of what someone buying premium gas is paying. Not to mention, the cheaper solution is just that - The Solution!!