Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Folks, every Spring it seems that their are problems with the garden equipment as the quality or lack of quality seems to "stall" out all my small engines. Even if draining the motors each "Fall", problems persist. Is anyone using the "canned" fuel products in their engines and does it seem to resolve those problems. Seems expensive, but probably worth it in the long run. What products do you use and recommend?
Many schools of thought on this subject. I myself never run my equipment dry before storage. I find condensation builds up in the empty fuel bowls, and tanks causing corrosion. Another reason is two cycle engines have tiny hoses that dry out and crack when they are not primed with fuel. I use a good gas stabilizer that I mix in my gas cans, so I never forget to use it when really needed. Then I put all my equipment away with full tanks, so no condensation can build up in the void. Has yet to fail me, and my stuff always starts with a couple of pulls each spring.
Many schools of thought on this subject. I myself never run my equipment dry before storage. I find condensation builds up in the empty fuel bowls, and tanks causing corrosion. Another reason is two cycle engines have tiny hoses that dry out and crack when they are not primed with fuel. I use a good gas stabilizer that I mix in my gas cans, so I never forget to use it when really needed. Then I put all my equipment away with full tanks, so no condensation can build up in the void. Has yet to fail me, and my stuff always starts with a couple of pulls each spring.
I use the 'canned fuel' in my snowblower, chain saw and weed wackers. Regular gas (from a station) will go bad in a couple of months. Canned gas will last up to a year. My old weed wacker would sputter and stop until I started with the canned fuel, now it runs perfect. But if you do use station gas , as mentioned be sure to use a good additive.
Every time I fill the gas cans for my OPE (Outdoor Power Equipment), I put the recommended amount of Sta-Bil in the can, then fill it with gas. That includes the can that I mix the 2-cycle oil in for the weed whacker, mini-tiller, and chainsaw, even though the 2-cycle oil I use (Opti-2) claims to have the preservative additive already in it. I have fuel that is a year or two old that is still good!
I also put Sta-Bil in the fuel tank of the motorhome, then drive it enough to be sure that the additive is all through the system. When it is parked for the winter, I run the generator long enough to ensure the Sta-Bil is in that fuel system as well.
So far, I have had no fuel system problems with the lawn and garden equipment, the ATVs, or the motorhome.
Based purely on personal experience, I would say that Sta-Bil stuff does what they say it will! It certainly works for me.
The ethanol in the gas starts going bad pretty fast. A stabilizer/additive should help a lot.
I used to have really bad problems with old "regular" gas. I have never had any problems with the ethanol in gas these days.
The lousy gas goes bad, IMO, not the ethanol.
Good Scotch doesn't go bad when it is aged for 25 years, and it has a LOT more ethanol in it than the 10% in most gasoline!
Beer doesn't go bad very fast if it is kept cool and out of the sun.
Wine is aged a long time, and doesn't go bad.
When cleaning gunked-up carburetors, I used to use alcohol. It dissolved the varnish left over after the gasoline evaporated quite nicely.
Fuel system anti-freeze is mostly alcohol. I have never heard of it "going bad" with age.
I really doubt if the alcohol is to blame for rotten gasoline!
Agree on stabil. I purchased a different fuel stabilizer for my motorcycle and ended up plugging the carbs when the fuel got old.
Note that the stabilizers need to be renewed periodically so it's a good idea to add more every 6 months or so
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
