Question About Lawn Mowers and Gasoline with Ethanol.
Jul 11, 2016 14:40:19 #
My new lawn mower says I should NOT use gasoline with ethanol.
I can't find anywhere that sells gasoline without ethanol.
What is the "harm" in using gasoline with ethanol?
I can't find anywhere that sells gasoline without ethanol.
What is the "harm" in using gasoline with ethanol?
Jul 11, 2016 14:47:13 #
Most every town has a station that sells gas without Ethanol. It cost about $1.00 per gallon more than regular. Also marina's sell it.
Jul 11, 2016 15:05:14 #
Option:
http://www.goldeagle.com/tips-tools/considering-ethanol-free-gas-try-ethanol-treatment-instead
http://www.goldeagle.com/tips-tools/considering-ethanol-free-gas-try-ethanol-treatment-instead
Jul 11, 2016 15:11:23 #
It is almost impossible to find Ethanol free gas when you really need it. I run all of my carburetor-ed engines with Sea Foam added to the tank with no issues. Lawnmower, Boat, 4 wheeler, edger, chainsaw.
Jul 11, 2016 15:17:24 #
What brand is the engine?
I have run gas with ethanol in my small engines ever since it showed up with no problems.
The following is from a Ethanol Gasoline Blends and Small Engines study:
Small Engines
There are millions of small “utility,” or “non-road,” engines in
the U.S. These are typically air-cooled, single, or twin cylinder,
4- or 2-stroke engines. Most of these engines are carbureted
and have minimal emissions control devices. Typical uses
for these engines include: lawn mowing, trimming, pumping,
emergency electrical generation and various other utility duties.
These engines typically range up to 25 horsepower.
What the Manufacturers Recommend
Small engine manufacturers, such as Briggs and Stratton,
have the following requirements regarding fuel used in their
current 4- and 2-stroke engines [1]:
• Clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline
• Minimum of 87 octane
• Gasoline with up to 10 percent ethanol (E10, gasohol) or
up to 15 percent MTBE is acceptable
Therefore, using E10 is acceptable. However; using a
higher ethanol blend such as E85 could void the warranty on
these engines because it can lead to lean running conditions.
Ref:
1. Briggs and Stratton website discussing fuel requirements,
Accessed January 22, 2009, http://www4.briggsandstratton.com/display/router.asp?docid=76786
You should check with the manufacturer to see if they are meaning the E85 but didn't state it properly in their manual.
Also - go to their website and review the comments on the engine.
You can also google the engine and ethanol and see what comments pop up.
I have run gas with ethanol in my small engines ever since it showed up with no problems.
The following is from a Ethanol Gasoline Blends and Small Engines study:
Small Engines
There are millions of small “utility,” or “non-road,” engines in
the U.S. These are typically air-cooled, single, or twin cylinder,
4- or 2-stroke engines. Most of these engines are carbureted
and have minimal emissions control devices. Typical uses
for these engines include: lawn mowing, trimming, pumping,
emergency electrical generation and various other utility duties.
These engines typically range up to 25 horsepower.
What the Manufacturers Recommend
Small engine manufacturers, such as Briggs and Stratton,
have the following requirements regarding fuel used in their
current 4- and 2-stroke engines [1]:
• Clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline
• Minimum of 87 octane
• Gasoline with up to 10 percent ethanol (E10, gasohol) or
up to 15 percent MTBE is acceptable
Therefore, using E10 is acceptable. However; using a
higher ethanol blend such as E85 could void the warranty on
these engines because it can lead to lean running conditions.
Ref:
1. Briggs and Stratton website discussing fuel requirements,
Accessed January 22, 2009, http://www4.briggsandstratton.com/display/router.asp?docid=76786
You should check with the manufacturer to see if they are meaning the E85 but didn't state it properly in their manual.
Also - go to their website and review the comments on the engine.
You can also google the engine and ethanol and see what comments pop up.
Jul 11, 2016 15:19:30 #
Jul 11, 2016 15:27:16 #
If you use regular gasoline with ethanol in your lawn mower, be sure to run it dry so there is no fuel sitting in the carb or tank or lines when idol. The engine will run fine with the ethanol added fuel but it doesn't store well in these small machines; gums up the works, begins to dissolve some plastic and rubber parts, just not good to have it sitting, the mower, with ethanol blend fuel in it...
Jul 11, 2016 15:29:21 #
chrisscholbe wrote:
My new lawn mower says I should NOT use gasoline with ethanol.
I can't find anywhere that sells gasoline without ethanol.
What is the "harm" in using gasoline with ethanol?
I can't find anywhere that sells gasoline without ethanol.
What is the "harm" in using gasoline with ethanol?
Have you seen this website?
http://www.pure-gas.org/about
Jul 11, 2016 15:32:34 #
Jul 11, 2016 15:33:57 #
Sea foam was mentioned in a post above be sure when you add it y9ou add just a little bit READ THE INSTRUCTIONS
Jul 11, 2016 15:33:57 #
Sea foam was mentioned in a post above be sure when you add it y9ou add just a little bit READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and everything will be just fine.
Jul 11, 2016 15:47:08 #
Shellback wrote:
From the TORO website on fuel:
https://www.toro.com/fuelfacts/
https://www.toro.com/fuelfacts/
Might be cheaper and better to just simply buy the stabilizer additive that reputable dealers ore recommending.
Jul 11, 2016 15:53:39 #
The problem is that the ethanol gums up the carburetor and soon you will not be able to start the engine.
Jul 11, 2016 15:58:36 #
Bob Yankle wrote:
The problem is that the ethanol gums up the carburator and soon you will not be able to start the engine.
Honda just charged me $160 for a carb,plus labor,for one that could not be successfully cleaned. Checked around and the stabilizer additive,specifically made for ethanol,is recommended. I got Sta-Bil for ethanol blends.
Jul 11, 2016 16:59:44 #
chrisscholbe wrote:
My new lawn mower says I should NOT use gasoline with ethanol.
I can't find anywhere that sells gasoline without ethanol.
What is the "harm" in using gasoline with ethanol?
I can't find anywhere that sells gasoline without ethanol.
What is the "harm" in using gasoline with ethanol?
I have probably 20 different devices that have small (under 25HP) gasoline engines. I have run ethanol blend gas in them for many years and never had a problem.
I do two things:
1. I add gasoline stabilizer to gas when I buy it.
2. I never let the ethanol blend gasoline sit in the tank or engine for more than 60 days and I always run the gas out of the carburetor.
If I have a choice I always buy the gas without ethanol..
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