Ethanol Blues...

[rtbates]

For years I've been adding Stabil Fuel http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/stabil/ to my 5 gal can of fuel that powers all my small engine equipment. It goes in my 2 stroke mix as well. While I'm NOT using the ethanol treatment formula, I've not had any carb issues since I started using it.

[swhfire21]

My earlier point was that once you take the non-ethanol rubber/elastomers out of your pre-ethanol motor and replace them with ethanol compatible parts (particularly hoses) you should be able to run your motor for years without rebuilding (at least as long as in the good ole day). I've got the full host of 2 and 4 stroke power equipment here (and then some according to my wife) and have only had to rebuild carbs (once each) on equipment bought from other owners or after the ethanol switch over. Some of this equipment has been running 6 - 7 years now with no carb issues (except when the outboard popped off my skiff and went into the bay!). Also:

- When I say to replace the hoses I just don't mean the stuff under the engine cowling. You need to go all the way back to the tank.

- If you are finding "dirt" in your carb (and know you have a clean gas can/tank) you probably seeing products of corrosion or other chemical reactions (with the ethanol) from somewhere in the fuel system. On my latest second hand motor I found a great deal of granular crud/dirt (corrosion buildup or something) just inside the hose connections on the fuel pump (particles/crud made it into the carb where it fouled a jet and was visible in the bowl). It appears that even a liquid tight connection can still pass ethanol vapors which may cause corrosion issues with some metals or react some other way at the fitting. So use real, screw thread type hose clamps at all connections and make sure they are tight-tight. If your hoses have no clamps or those cheap spring clamps you will probably have recurring problems.

- I think the most important step in avoiding the need to rebuild carbs is proper winter/long term storage. I treat all my small engines the same and don't seem to have any repeat/regular carb problems. I think it is extremely important that carbs be ran dry when motors get put away for long term storage (especially with the corrosion/reaction issue mentioned above) as doing otherwise is just an invitation for gunk/corrosion build up as the fuel evaporates over the winter. The days of fogging motors with them running for storage ended with the insertion of ethanol into the fuel stream.

I don't buy into the dirt from the gas station theory very much given today's environmental requirements and the fact that most if not all gas stations/marinas are using double walled or aboveground tanks/piping by now (I'm in the oil industry). The chances of any dirt coming from a reputable station is about nil from a practical perspective. I do think however it is important though that gas be bought from a major brand name fuel manufacturer if at all possible because 1) the only difference between gas brands is the additive packages (cleaners/corrosion inhibiters). If you buy from a non-brand name station you will get what you pay for. 2) The majors truly ride herd over their products from the refinery to the nozzle at every station/marina flying their brand because they have a name to protect. And no, I don't consider WaWa and 7-11 to be brand name fuels. Their fuels are probably bought on the open market from the lowest bidder and are unlikely to have anything but the bare minimum (legally required) additive packages in them.

[Kilgore]

Thanks for all the great advice. I did some additional research today...Newburyport Harbor Marina sells VALVTECT gasoline. VALVTECT advertises that this gas all but eliminates issues with ethanol. Has anybody had any experience with this type of gas?

I use this in my ~2007 Tohatsu. Works great. Ages much, much better. Regular pump e10 would start and idle like crap if over a couple of weeks old. I use what's left at the end of the season for the snowblower.
The Merc 2 stroke in my previous boat ran even worse on E10.