using fresh vs old gas

powerdog said:

Why is it that small engines need very fresh gasoline, but it doesn't matter so much in cars? Do the smaller parts get clogged more easily? Just wondered...

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Which is exactly that. :fing32:

Small batches...... Is what I have found works best....

When I mix gas for a trimmer, outboard or other mixed fuel small engines, I only mix small batches at a time. If any fuel gets old, like over winter, I run it out in my truck....

I also fuel my lawn tractor, atv, and other strait fuel small engines with small fill ups batch fill ups.... Your experience may be different....

Good luck...

OK...another question.
They say that the ethanol in the fuel today is real bad for small engines.....What brand and grade of gas do you all use?
I have heard that some brands dont put ethanol in their premium gas

IMHO, it isn't the age, it isn't the ethanol.

Cars have a sealed, semi-pressurized storage system for the gas.

It IS the exposure to moisture. Small (5 gallon) unsealed cans exchange air when the temperature changes. The ethanol absorbs the available moisture.

I keep gas 2 years, in a 100 gallon, semi-pressurized tank.

I never have any gas issues.

JMHO

poncho62 said:

OK...another question.
They say that the ethanol in the fuel today is real bad for small engines.....What brand and grade of gas do you all use?
I have heard that some brands dont put ethanol in their premium gas

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You can find ethanol free fuel in your area by searching www.pure-gas.org, by calling local marinas (most marinas will carry ethanol free fuel) or at your local air field (Air fields will carry 100LL AvGas that it VERY tightly controlled by the FAA and is very consistent across the country).

I run 100LL AvGas in all of my 2 strokes and all equipment that doesn't see a lot of use (JD 318, Generator, etc). The Avgas has a long shelf life (up to 2 years), no ethanol and consistent every time. I mix it 5 gal at a time with Stihl Syn at 50:1 and never think twice about it. All equipment gets stored with full tanks year round. Even after sitting for over a year, I grabbed my Husky 357xp saw and it fired up like I used it yesterday. Sure, it cost a bit more, but I never have to worry about a cracked fuel line, primer bulb, or water in the fuel. That makes it worth it to me.