No More 91 Octane without the Ethanol

FBH44

Well-known Member
I think my gas station has discontinued the 91 Octane without the ethanol. I think I'll be forced into using the ethanol from now on. I've heard rumors that SeaFoam or Stabil will remove the ethanol, but I don't believ e it. Does anyone actually know the truth? How do we remove this stuff for small engines? Or does it matter?
 
there is no way to remove ethanol, just help try to prevent phase seperation which is what causes problems. Use good sealed gas cans. dont keep gas more than 30 days. there is a product called ethanol shield which can be found at walmart. it is an excellent product, another is star-tron. both work well. hope this helps
 

Seafoam, Sta-bil or any of the many other additives will not remove the ethanol. The ethanol remains in the gasoline. Sta-bil claims to increase the storage life of fresh gasoline. Even gasoline without ethanol has a storage life.

Regular grade E-10 gasoline contains approximately 10% ethanol and has a octane rating of 87. If one were to remove the ethanol you would have 84 octane gasoline - this would be useable only in low compression engines.

The ethanol could be removed by adding water and then decanting off the gasoline, leaving behind the water/ethanol phase.

I have always used used gasoline with ethanol (E-10) even in small engines and chain saws. I do not use the additives and have not had fuel related problems. I know many people claim to have problems however, problems are not my experience.
 
I use E10 in everything. It has not given me any problems yet. I put 10 gallons a year or so through the chain saw, and the fuel system has stayed clean for the last 11 years. I wouldn't worry about it. I went to lawn mower shop to get a replacement blade mount for my push mower and the owner insisted on giving me a big spiel about how awful ethanol is but he has this great miracle product that takes care of it. He also insisted on sharpening the blade and putting it back in my mower, which seemed like a kind thing to do. After I got it home I noticed it was mowing funny, he had put the blade in upside down, with the wings pointing down. My takeaway from this is that that guy is a moron and I am never going to his shop again, and I also don't believe him about the ethanol.
Zach
 
If you are switching to ethanol blend %10 make sure to have at least one extra fuel filter if the machine has one. Ethanol acts as a solvent and will clean the system (tank and lines) of any varnish and sludge. Dad started using E10 on his Deere Z520 this year since the book said he could use it. He had to change the filter every 10 hours or so for a couple months because it would plug.
 
You can remove ethanol from gasoline simply using water. A little food coloring (dye) helps detect the water/ethanol once it settles. But the thing is you lose some of the octane rating when you do it. For example if you start with 93 octane. You end up with around 89 octane without the ethanol.

I do not know the guy in this video, nor do I endorse his product. I am using it simply as a reference to show how it is done. You do not need an "Ethanator". I have used an old 6 gallon clear glass Carboy tilted slightly and a 1/4" fuel line to siphon the water off of the clean gas once it separates.

I have did it a few times. But I would not waste my time doing every 5 gallons of fuel I buy. I have never had a problem with ethanol in my equipment and have yet to waste the first dime ever on Sta-Bil.. I do run Ethanol Shield through my all of my small engines and UTV's two or three times a year.


d537b465-1b6c-4efb-898b-73e5a6e8e5cc_300.jpg
 
Same here Zach. I use E10 in everything from old and new 2 cycle engines, lawn mowers, generators, gasoline tractors, cars and pickups and have never had a fuel related issue in any of them. In some equipment the fuel sits in the tank from one year to the next and starts on either the first or second pull. I find most people complaining about ethanol have no idea what they're talking about.
 
Don't worry about the ethanol, here in MN its been in gasoline since the 80's and I use it in every machine I have and have had no problems other than as posted when first usage can clean the fuel system and you may need change a fuel filter, on the other hand if you've been using good clean fuel and the system is clean there may be no need to change until its do to be changed
GB in MN
 
(quoted from post at 14:31:38 07/16/16) I find most people complaining about ethanol have no idea what they're talking about.

so some of them DO know what they're talking about?
 
Hate Ethanol. Now something that breaks down the molecule is Star Tron. It has worked very well in my two cycle stuff and stopped corrosion and rubber rot. Now all of my stuff from little to big is given HI-TEST gas. Has worked very well. Now my snow blower Gravely I use AV gas. That is 104 octaine folks. You need to really lean down the carb settings but she runs great in very cold weather hands down! All of the other products have their place but I have had very good luck with the Star Tron with the damn Ethanol problem.
 
I have been using Stratton stabilizer in every thing after the damage of $250.00 garden tractor carburetor from the effects of ethanol in gasoline.
 
I haven't seen any real problems either. The only thing I commonly see is deteriorated Tygon fuel lines.

One of the best ways I've found to keep fuel fresh is keeping it in a sealed container to prevent evaporation.
 
Ethanol is used to boost the octane rating and appears in lots of 89, 91 and 94 octane rated gas so its not like its only in "cheap" fuel.

I've never had an issue running ethanol in anything (from 1956 Farmall 350 to 2016 F150). I do use additives for long term storage though, and would do so with or without ethanol. Issues with old gas did not start with ethanol.
 
(quoted from post at 15:59:40 07/22/16) Non ethanol has not been avaible for at least 20 years.
Maybe in Ohio but its available here in MN. And we've been blessed with it since the 80's.
GB in MN
 

I've seen lots and lots of problems directly related to the use of ethanol fuels. Change fuels, problems stop. I think the particular blend you have in your area determines if you'll have issued or not. In northern NY, ethanol and small engines equal problems.
 
I use 90-10 Ethanol in my lawn mowers,weed eater,and chain saw with no problems.....I also use it in all my old tractors and have won tractor pulls using it..I use no fuel treatment in them..
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top