Do you have to be a mechanic to own small engines?

[itguy08]

I disagree with that theory if the gas is bought at Sheetz. Sheetz is watered down. I seen it destroy fuel injection systems on automobiles cause how much water is in the gas. But if gas bought from a Exxon or Shell then its probably poor storage practices.

Bull$hit. Been in Central PA since 1993 and have used Sheetz for gas since then. I'd say I've got probably well over 400k in various cars with Sheetz gas. Never an issue with the fuel systems in any of them. From a carb'ed 1986 Mustang to a 2010 Taurus SHO.

 

[davbell22602]

Bull$hit. Been in Central PA since 1993 and have used Sheetz for gas since then. I'd say I've got probably well over 400k in various cars with Sheetz gas. Never an issue with the fuel systems in any of them. From a carb'ed 1986 Mustang to a 2010 Taurus SHO.

Its true. It known to destroy fuel injection systems in automobiles. I dont even use Sheetz gas anymore cause I get poor gas mileage when using it.

 

[itguy08]

Its true. It known to destroy fuel injection systems in automobiles. I dont even use Sheetz gas anymore cause I get poor gas mileage when using it.

Shoot me some links. Cause my data doesn't bear that out.

If any fuel injection system would be bothered, it would be my Taurus with it's direct injected twin turbo engine. Got 68k on it with tons of Sheetz fuel run through it. No issues. And I also track fuel economy and get no better or worse fuel economy with it vs Sunoco, Exxon, BP, Turkey Hill, Costco, Giant, etc gas. Constant 19-25 MPG depending on highway vs city.

The wife's Escape has 139k on it with a diet of mainly Sheetz and no issues with the fuel injection system either. Still the original fuel pump and injectors.

Maybe it's different in W. VA vs PA but in PA it's fine gas.

 

[Rokon]

Bull$hit. Been in Central PA since 1993 and have used Sheetz for gas since then. I'd say I've got probably well over 400k in various cars with Sheetz gas. Never an issue with the fuel systems in any of them. From a carb'ed 1986 Mustang to a 2010 Taurus SHO.

Fuel used in small gas engines needs to be clean and water free. Passenger vehicles with multi-cylinder engines are more forgiving when using today's fuel.

 

[itguy08]

Fuel used in small gas engines needs to be clean and water free. Passenger vehicles with multi-cylinder engines are more forgiving when using today's fuel.

True and as long as you get it from a decent station you'll be fine in either case. Due to the ethanol stations have sensors that monitor for water in the tanks and drain off accordingly. I've run gas in my OPE from all sorts of stations - Sheetz, Flying J, BP, Gulf, Mobil, etc and not an issue at all. Gas storage is also important too - store your gas on the ground, in a wet environment, or outside and you are inviting issues. Our gas is in the shed on a wooden floor. No issues yet in any of the OPE I run - push mower, riding mower, pressure washer, blower, weedwhacker, generator, or snowblower.

 

[bwdbrn1]

I have been using Stabil. I'll give Sea Foam a try before pulling apart the engine.

I was just thinking to myself, "what other appliance do you spend $600 on, use it once, and then it's broken?!" I've found many people reporting the same problems I've had - and it's from one of the best rated snow blowers.

Sorry, I'm cranky after a spending a day of maintenance on the thing, and it still runs like crap. I should have just stuck with shoveling snow by hand.

No need to apologize for being cranky at all. I know exactly how you feel.

 

[Woody71]

I've been using SeaFoam in my 2 and 4 cycle engines (Toro Mower, Cub Cadet 2-stage snow thrower, Craftsman Blower, Echo Trimmer) for the past few years. I store them wet and have had 0 issues with starting the next season and no carb issues. I've also started buying less gas during each fill up for my OPE. Even with the SeaFoam, this ensures I'm using fresh gas throughout the season. Rather than buy 1 gallon of fuel for my 2-cycle blower, I buy 1/4 gal at a time now.

I also run Shell gas in all my OPE from a high volume station (more frequent storage tank refills). 89 in my 2-cycle, 87 in my 4-cycle.

 

[briggs]

like I said in my first post ..Fresh high test gas and a good fuel system clean and it will purr like a kitty ..And when u store ether run it dry or put stable in it let it run for 5 min to get the stable threw the fuel system then shut it down..It dose not matter what the name of the EQ is none of them like dead ****** gas ..When it brakes down it plugs up the carb or it makes them run ******....And 65% of the stuff u read on the reviews is BS ..U get people complaining its hard to start and so or it smokes but what the owner didn't say is he over filled with oil or I was cutting on 45 degree angle and the oil went into the cyl and it smoked ..But its a POS because of that...Most of its because of neglect or miss use..I have 4 clients that come to me every year with the same prob they will not switch to high test and use stable ..No matter how many times I tell them but every year they bitch because there blower or lawn mower wont start go figure ..Sea foam works ok used it 3 times on my boat and snow machine ...Most newer manuals will tell what to do and what not to do when u put them away for the winter /summer

 

[Woody71]

like I said in my first post ..Fresh high test gas and a good fuel system clean and it will purr like a kitty ..And when u store ether run it dry or put stable in it let it run for 5 min to get the stable threw the fuel system then shut it down..It dose not matter what the name of the EQ is none of them like dead ****** gas ..When it brakes down it plugs up the carb or it makes them run ****** ....

Agreed, just sharing my OPE fuel practices. I add SeaFoam each time I refill my red OPE gas containers, not just before seasonal storage.

 

[davbell22602]

I add my stabilizer before pumping the gas in my cans. I keep 10 gallons stored at all times.