Not Starting, No spark

[grumpyunk]

I always use non ethanol gas. at least that is what it is labeled on the pump, sometimes I wonder if someone made a mistake... also use the stations with seperate hoses for each grade of fuel.

If you want to know if your fuel is adulterated with ethanol, pour some into a glass jar. Add a glug of water, say 1/8c into a peanut butter jar half full. If there is ETOH in the 'premium' fuel, it will be drawn from the mixture and combine with the water. It should then fall to the bottom of the jar. The fuel will likely look cloudy.
If you have E10, 10% max ETOH, you can make it close to E0 by adding water, allowing it to precipitate, and then decanting the remaining fuel which will not have any alcohol mixed. It will be of lower octane, but 99% of the air-cooled OPE won't care as they run lower compression ratios and will not ping. The de-mixed fuel should store better.
tom

 

[farmerdave1954]

Yeah, I always wondered how much gas a fuel pump hose held. If I take my 1-gallon container to a one-hose gas pump, select the ethanol-free gas, but the previous customer got the ethanol laced version, how much of the 1-gallon is going to actually be ethanol free? Likely not much. When getting a small amount like that, I always put a couple gallons in my truck before filling the 1-gallon jug for my weed eater. A recent remodel at the local gas station resulted in separate filler hoses for each grade, thank goodness. My truck probably wishes for the old one-hose pump to come back, though.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

What kind of gas are you using?
Regular gas has alcohol in it and that will clabber up your carb because it draws moisture.
Always use premium gas no alcohol.

1) The carburetor solenoid is called the anti-afterfire solenoid, not fuel shut off solenoid.

2) Blame 10% ethanol on problems you are having. Lots of people do. I run 87 ethanol in every piece of equipment I have and don’t have problems. I also see lots of old fuel and fuel with water in it that the customers claim is “premium”. The never ending debate with 87 corn gas will never cease.

 

[grumpyunk]

QUOTE: "The never ending debate with 87 corn gas will never cease."

Fuel that has ethanol added does have a more limited shelf life, or actually 'tank life' than plain gasoline. If left in the carburetor, exposed to atmosphere, it will tend to absorb water from the humidity in the air. It will also form what looks like a 'gel' if left in the float bowl for any length of time.
OTOH, if you use your equipment and do not let it sit with fuel that is deteriorating by absorbing water, it should run fine. In that respect, ethanol does make fuel more subject to going bad and leaving the carburetor unable to function properly.
In short, it just needs to be kept fresh more than fuel without ethanol added. I am not sure ETOH is a good fuel additive as there may be others that will have the same effect that do not cause susceptibility to absorbing water from the atmosphere.
tom

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

QUOTE: "The never ending debate with 87 corn gas will never cease."

Fuel that has ethanol added does have a more limited shelf life, or actually 'tank life' than plain gasoline. If left in the carburetor, exposed to atmosphere, it will tend to absorb water from the humidity in the air. It will also form what looks like a 'gel' if left in the float bowl for any length of time.
OTOH, if you use your equipment and do not let it sit with fuel that is deteriorating by absorbing water, it should run fine. In that respect, ethanol does make fuel more subject to going bad and leaving the carburetor unable to function properly.
In short, it just needs to be kept fresh more than fuel without ethanol added. I am not sure ETOH is a good fuel additive as there may be others that will have the same effect that do not cause susceptibility to absorbing water from the atmosphere.
tom

You are correct. Keep it fresh, keep it moving. Ethanol is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture). Just takes a little more thought is all, and you can save $.75 a gallon as well.

 

[slomo]

Always use premium gas no alcohol.

Agree on the no alcohol.

Look around at the pumps next time and several others. Notice most are not using 91 premium. Meaning it has more of a chance to go stale or water down compared to the more popular fuels. Use the most popular stuff you can get.

Typical push mowers and 0-turns, 87 octane is plenty. Chainsaws 91 octane or more is better. They have more compression.

Ask the sales person inside about how much 91 they buy compared to 87 octane.

 

[slomo]

and you can save $.75 a gallon as well.

But, you have to fill up more often so you are not saving anything. E-10 has less thermal energy = less HP and torque. In a small engine, that could be big. I cut more grass with E-0 gas.