Wow, I never Knew I was putting alcohol (Heet) in my gas to get rid of the ethanol in the gas I bought in the first place, and then bragging about how well it works, I was obviously thinking out loud, it just doesn't make sense, Thank you for all the info
Fuel
- Thread starter TLloyd
- Start date
-
- Tags
- ethynol free fuel gas
I also store pump gas and use a stabilizer all year (marine type) . I get less work because most of the customers back with less fuel problems. They finally took my advice. Keep the fuel out of the direct sun you will have less problems.
2cycle engines must us 89 octane or better, has less heat than 87.
How many gallons do you actually go through? I usually burn about 5 gallons per mowing cycle. That is an extra $5. Certainly worth it for the lack of aggravation I have experienced in the past. The two stroke stuff preforms much better on gasoline as well.
Skippydiesel
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2020
- Threads
- 10
- Messages
- 173
I do not use ethanol blended fuel.
The above statement is a personal choice, not a support of all the BS about E blend fuels.
## Modern engined will & do run just fine on E fuel - fact! Most if not all engine makers have switched over to ethanol tolerant fuel system materials.
## Older engined fuel systems (tank to carburettor) are likly to be negatively impacted/damaged by the ethanol - don't use E blends!
Ethanol is less energy dense than petrol - a petrol E blend, will deliver less power per litre, than a straight petrol of the same quality. The result is higher fuel consumption for a given output = less mpg/mpk or less grass area mown for the same fuel consumption.
You, as a consumer, will have to decide if the lower purchase price of Eblend, results in less, more or equal, cost per unit area of grass mown.
E is hygroscopic - storage of E (in tank or jerry) may result in free water collecting in the bottom of the tank, and or fuel system causing corrosion of metal components potentially development of bacterial growth/scum/gel - do not store E blend for extended periods in your engine or in metal containers.
I doubt the environmental benefits of E, given the energy ( diesel and other chemicals) that go into its production.
The use of E blend is manageable, it's use comes down to personal choice (if alternatives available).
The above statement is a personal choice, not a support of all the BS about E blend fuels.
## Modern engined will & do run just fine on E fuel - fact! Most if not all engine makers have switched over to ethanol tolerant fuel system materials.
## Older engined fuel systems (tank to carburettor) are likly to be negatively impacted/damaged by the ethanol - don't use E blends!
Ethanol is less energy dense than petrol - a petrol E blend, will deliver less power per litre, than a straight petrol of the same quality. The result is higher fuel consumption for a given output = less mpg/mpk or less grass area mown for the same fuel consumption.
You, as a consumer, will have to decide if the lower purchase price of Eblend, results in less, more or equal, cost per unit area of grass mown.
E is hygroscopic - storage of E (in tank or jerry) may result in free water collecting in the bottom of the tank, and or fuel system causing corrosion of metal components potentially development of bacterial growth/scum/gel - do not store E blend for extended periods in your engine or in metal containers.
I doubt the environmental benefits of E, given the energy ( diesel and other chemicals) that go into its production.
The use of E blend is manageable, it's use comes down to personal choice (if alternatives available).
Last edited:
Bullshit. Stop spreading crap. The effective compression ratio of any utility two stroke is around 6 to 7 to one, no where near detonation territory and added octane only has the effect of draining your bank account faster.
Get an education......
And you are wrong. Several 2 cycle engines are in the area of 10-11:1 There are a lot of 2 cycle engines that won't even fire at the ratios you are trying to sell us. Go do your research and stop spreading false information.
Why do you think that Stihl, Husqvarna Dolmar/Makita all requires 90+
I'll add one piece of info. to the discussion:
A few years ago, I remarked on an automotive forum that it puzzled me that consumer lawnmower engines definitely have a lot of problems with old 10% ethanol fuel, but cars did not.
A guy who frequented that forum and that worked on the technical side of the trucking industry solved the mystery. He said that the difference was that fuel systems of automobiles are required to be sealed, whereas the fuel systems of lawnmowers and most other small-engine devices were not sealed - i.e, were freely vented to atmosphere. Not only does that passively expose the fuel to air and moisture, but as ambient temperatures rose and fell routinely through night-time/day-time cycles, the gas tank "breathed" fresh air and moisture in and out as the air expanded and contracted with the daily temperature fluctuations - bringing a fresh batch of moisture into the tank every day to react with the ethanol in the fuel. Car fuel systems being sealed, they don't get a new batch of air and moisture constantly being pushed in and out of the tank.
That goes right along with what some of you said about moisture and ethanol interaction. But for me, it explained in particular why lawnmowers and other smaller engine devices don't tolerate aged ethanol fuel, whereas old ethanol fuel doesn't seem to bother running/starting quality of cars.
A few years ago, I remarked on an automotive forum that it puzzled me that consumer lawnmower engines definitely have a lot of problems with old 10% ethanol fuel, but cars did not.
A guy who frequented that forum and that worked on the technical side of the trucking industry solved the mystery. He said that the difference was that fuel systems of automobiles are required to be sealed, whereas the fuel systems of lawnmowers and most other small-engine devices were not sealed - i.e, were freely vented to atmosphere. Not only does that passively expose the fuel to air and moisture, but as ambient temperatures rose and fell routinely through night-time/day-time cycles, the gas tank "breathed" fresh air and moisture in and out as the air expanded and contracted with the daily temperature fluctuations - bringing a fresh batch of moisture into the tank every day to react with the ethanol in the fuel. Car fuel systems being sealed, they don't get a new batch of air and moisture constantly being pushed in and out of the tank.
That goes right along with what some of you said about moisture and ethanol interaction. But for me, it explained in particular why lawnmowers and other smaller engine devices don't tolerate aged ethanol fuel, whereas old ethanol fuel doesn't seem to bother running/starting quality of cars.
Hammermechanicman
Lawn Addict
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2020
- Threads
- 65
- Messages
- 3,828
Say what????????
I have about 15 2 strokes all running 87 regular. 2 of which are chainsaws running 195psi compression and advanced timing with ported cylinders.
Why do i need 89 octane RATED gas?
Last edited:
Skippydiesel
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2020
- Threads
- 10
- Messages
- 173
Peva,
"But for me, it explained in particular why lawnmowers and other smaller engine devices don't tolerate aged ethanol fuel, whereas old ethanol fuel doesn't seem to bother running/starting quality of car"
Free water in fuel is rare, if sourced from a reputable supplier with a high turnover, keeping the fuel fresh. No engine, new or old, likes water in the fuel.
Older engines (fuel systems) even in cars, may not tolerate E in fuel - this is because the system may have components that the E will damage. O rings, hoses, floats, valves, etc are often damaged by E.
Any petrol powered engine (rated to use E blend) will run just fine on ethanol blend. High usage (regular refresh) is the best. Low usage, especially when tank below 75% full, for extended periods, is more likly to result in condensation (water) contaminating the fuel.
"....systems of automobiles are required to be sealed...."
ALL fuel tanks "breathe" atmospheric air - to my understanding no conventional fuel tanks are sealed. True they may have a higher degree of "sealing" than say a mower. If truly sealed. they would collapse as the fuel was used and or atmospheric pressure/temperature changes impacted on them. All air contains more/less water vapour that will condense on relativly cool surfaces. Metal fuel tanks are more prone to condensation than plastic.
"But for me, it explained in particular why lawnmowers and other smaller engine devices don't tolerate aged ethanol fuel, whereas old ethanol fuel doesn't seem to bother running/starting quality of car"
Free water in fuel is rare, if sourced from a reputable supplier with a high turnover, keeping the fuel fresh. No engine, new or old, likes water in the fuel.
Older engines (fuel systems) even in cars, may not tolerate E in fuel - this is because the system may have components that the E will damage. O rings, hoses, floats, valves, etc are often damaged by E.
Any petrol powered engine (rated to use E blend) will run just fine on ethanol blend. High usage (regular refresh) is the best. Low usage, especially when tank below 75% full, for extended periods, is more likly to result in condensation (water) contaminating the fuel.
"....systems of automobiles are required to be sealed...."
ALL fuel tanks "breathe" atmospheric air - to my understanding no conventional fuel tanks are sealed. True they may have a higher degree of "sealing" than say a mower. If truly sealed. they would collapse as the fuel was used and or atmospheric pressure/temperature changes impacted on them. All air contains more/less water vapour that will condense on relativly cool surfaces. Metal fuel tanks are more prone to condensation than plastic.