Craftsman Rototiller fuel problem....

[reynoldston]

Mike Goad gave up the ship, never hear anything back from him? :confused2:

 

[Mikel1]

I don't use additives and I use ethanol gas. I leave fuel in mower every year(last 18 years) for 5 months then cut grass with that same fuel. Additives are good at taking your money sort of like those lottery tickets.

 

[Mike_Goad]

Still Here....
I know everyone has there own opinion on fuels and additives and they have a bad rap as "snake oil".
Just to give a little education on ethanol blended fuel.
First off, ethanol is good for the economy, it is a renewable source of fuel, and it is good for the environment. It is not going away. In fact, scientists are looking for new and more cost effective ways to produce ethanol other than from corn. The oil companies say they do not like Ethanol but they really do. Ethanol is a cheap way for them to boost octane.
With that said, ethanol has an evil side as well.
All ethanol has water in it; depending upon the area, the amount can very. Ethanol is hygroscopic which means that it will absorb water from anything including the air. Once it has absorbed enough water, the ethanol and water will fall of the gas and sit at the bottom of the tank. if that mixture is sucked up by the carburetor while the engine is running, the engine will probably seize up. Another fact about ethanol is that it does not mix with 2-stroke engine oil. in other words, when you mix your oil and gas together for trimmers etc, some of that gas has no lubrication value.
The ethanol water mixture is also very corrosive (ph of 3.5-4). It will eat metal, rubber, and plastic parts. Feel the fuel line on your trimmer. is it soft or hard? chances are it is hard. This is from the ethanol.
When you buy gas, only get what you need for a month as ethanol blended gas will start to go bad after 30 days. Engines will run on gas that is starting to go bad, but it will destroy an engine if ran for long enough time. One tankful may not do it but running several gallons will. The old gas will carbon up the piston/cylinder and on 4-stroke units, it will gum up the valves so that they stick open.
I have processed and denied many warranty claims over the years because of old gas.
The key is to find a good fuel stabilizer and keep the gas stabilized at all times.
The trick is to know which stabilizer to use.
Almost all stabilizers use either alcohol or petroleum distillates as the base for their stabilizers. These items burn very dirty in the engine and will carbon up the engine over time. As far as alcohol is concerned, ethanol is also alcohol and we are having issues with that. Why would you want to add more to the gas?

Yes I work for a fuel additive company. Yes our products truly do work. So I do not cross any lines, please google Mechanic in a Bottle. You can also send me a private message and I will send you a free sample. I always say that proof is in the pudding.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Still Here....
I know everyone has there own opinion on fuels and additives and they have a bad rap as "snake oil".
Just to give a little education on ethanol blended fuel.
First off, ethanol is good for the economy, it is a renewable source of fuel, and it is good for the environment. It is not going away. In fact, scientists are looking for new and more cost effective ways to produce ethanol other than from corn. The oil companies say they do not like Ethanol but they really do. Ethanol is a cheap way for them to boost octane.
With that said, ethanol has an evil side as well.
All ethanol has water in it; depending upon the area, the amount can very. Ethanol is hygroscopic which means that it will absorb water from anything including the air. Once it has absorbed enough water, the ethanol and water will fall of the gas and sit at the bottom of the tank. if that mixture is sucked up by the carburetor while the engine is running, the engine will probably seize up. Another fact about ethanol is that it does not mix with 2-stroke engine oil. in other words, when you mix your oil and gas together for trimmers etc, some of that gas has no lubrication value.
The ethanol water mixture is also very corrosive (ph of 3.5-4). It will eat metal, rubber, and plastic parts. Feel the fuel line on your trimmer. is it soft or hard? chances are it is hard. This is from the ethanol.
When you buy gas, only get what you need for a month as ethanol blended gas will start to go bad after 30 days. Engines will run on gas that is starting to go bad, but it will destroy an engine if ran for long enough time. One tankful may not do it but running several gallons will. The old gas will carbon up the piston/cylinder and on 4-stroke units, it will gum up the valves so that they stick open.
I have processed and denied many warranty claims over the years because of old gas.
The key is to find a good fuel stabilizer and keep the gas stabilized at all times.
The trick is to know which stabilizer to use.
Almost all stabilizers use either alcohol or petroleum distillates as the base for their stabilizers. These items burn very dirty in the engine and will carbon up the engine over time. As far as alcohol is concerned, ethanol is also alcohol and we are having issues with that. Why would you want to add more to the gas?

Yes I work for a fuel additive company. Yes our products truly do work. So I do not cross any lines, please google Mechanic in a Bottle. You can also send me a private message and I will send you a free sample. I always say that proof is in the pudding.

Mike. if you want any respect for you and the company you work for,
STICK TO THE KNOWN FACTS

I have already responded to this on a separate thread but forgot to mention what you ommitted.
The prevention of the bacterial attack which grows in the water/ethanol mix in th bottom of the carb.
This is the whiteish jelly like goo that ends up in the bottom of the carb and is the same ( I think ) as the bacteria that used to be a prblem in deisel storeage tanks.

 

[RobertBrown]

Follow up:
I replaced the diaphragm, carb gasket, and crankcase fitttngs,
The engine started right up and runs well...other than some surging....that I can't seem to adjust with the throttle as I could before.


Thanks for your help with this