Pump gas

[Old Mike]

I don’t know if this topic has come up before. Has anyone had problems with carburetors gumming up on small 2 cycle engines (leaf blowers, trimmers, etc.)? A couple of guys around here were saying that the ethanol content in today’s gas when mixed with the 2 cycle oil was causing carburetor problems. I will say the one guy runs a lawn service, so his equipment sees heavy usage.

 

[cbarge]

No ethanol. Period.
It will wreak havoc on small engines and classic cars too.
Shell v power does not contain ehtanol.
Other compNies you can check pump gas dot org

 

[Polara_500]

All my small engine gas gets sta-bil since I had to replace two carbs a few years back. No issues with anything since I started that. My old chain saw just started for the first time this year on the third pull.

 

[Old Mike]

Thanks

 

[Davea Lux]

I have had good luck running the moonshine free "real gas" in all the small engines. It is more expensive than the blended fuels but more than pays for itself since the carbs do not gum up or corrode. On any two cycle engine it is a good idea to run it out of fuel before putting the tool away for the winter. This prevents the 2 cycle oil from seperating out of the fuel and causing hard starts. I usually take the spark plug out and give the cylinder a shot of oil to keep things free over winter.

Dave

 

[jct]

The mower i use at work accumulated a ball of gummy goo on the fuel float, dumped a loads of gas down the intake. Got it fixed with a new oil change...

 

[Davea Lux]

The mower i use at work accumulated a ball of gummy goo on the fuel float, dumped a loads of gas down the intake. Got it fixed with a new oil change...

That white, brown or gray goo is the result of the ethanol picking up moisture and degrading. It is also corrosive and will eat up the lead seams on floats, the brass material of the floats and the pot metal bowl of the carb.

Dave

 

[Triple Pickle]

That white, brown or gray goo is the result of the ethanol picking up moisture and degrading. It is also corrosive and will eat up the lead seams on floats, the brass material of the floats and the pot metal bowl of the carb.

Dave

Absolutely.

 

[thrashingcows]

I run marine Sta-bil....even better then the regular sta-bil. I use it in anything that I have that runs gasoline. No major issues at all with my equipment.

 

[Walter Joy]

Dad runs this stuff he calls “Rocket Fuel”. It’s $50 for 5 gallons, no ethanol, and no problems

 

[live4theking]

Non ethanol fuel in my small engines and old car. Startron Enzyme treatment seems to have a good reputation also, available at NAPA and Tractor Supply.

 

[jct]

Startron Enzyme treatment seems to have a good reputation also, available at NAPA and Tractor Supply.

I get mine at Lowe's

 

[Old Mike]

Thanks. I’ll be heading over to Napa fo sure

 

[mrfury68]

Ethanol is public enemy #1 when it comes to small engines and our beloved classics. I only use 93 octane gas, Sea Foam & Sta-Bil marine. No issues and my small engines are all older and I like to think, well maintained.

 

[shooter65]

I also mix Sta-Bil in my gas cans for all my small engines. I also only use mid grade gas and I use the Sta-Bil mixed mid-grade to mix my 2-cycle gas. I've never had a problem since doing this.

 

[sixpkrt]

You can do a seach on the web that will allow you to find gas stations near you that sell non-ethanol fuel.
I alway use the highest octane available when at the one near me.

 

[Rapidtrans777]

Whether 2 or 4 stroke use ethanol free gas and you wont need to use or keep up with additives.

 

[Polara_500]

You can do a seach on the web that will allow you to find gas stations near you that sell non-ethanol fuel.
I alway use the highest octane available when at the one near me.

Yeah, but if you go through as much as I do, (around 8-9 gal/wk summer), and the nearest non-ethanol gas is 30 miles away it just ain't worth the trouble.

 

[BLUPORT]

I have been pouring Naphtha in my tanks, and it seems to help a lot. YMMY, purely anecdotal.

 

[Jon O.]

Ethanol is public enemy #1 when it comes to small engines and our beloved classics. I only use 93 octane gas, Sea Foam & Sta-Bil marine. No issues and my small engines are all older and I like to think, well maintained.

A half glass of water slowly poured down the carb while it is running will have the same effect as sea foam.