Ethanol free gasoline

Have a new gas station in town ("RaceWay"), besides the normal stuff they have "Ethanol free" gas. A little bit pricier as it's 90 octane. I haven't really had a problem with my 'N with the Ethanol gas, as long as I use the Stabil stuff. Should I be making an effort to use the Ethanol-free stuff ?

Over here on the east coast I have been buying it for my 2-cycle chain saws, edgers, trimmers, blowers etc for a few years now. Sure cures at least 90% of their ills. So far as my old Ford tractors I consider it too costly and with marine Sta-bil in fresh 10% ethanol they run just fine. Used to have to buy Non-ethanol at marinas then the bottle gas store added it and now several local stations have it. Recently a nearby Mobil station put in new pumps and they added a pump with mid grade non-ethanol. Most Stihl's need 90 octane so Mobil made them very happy!

Yes, use no ethanol in your mowers, chainsawa, blowers, weedeaters..my old Briggs push mower hadn't been botheredby the ethanol--also be careful with Stabil-it will go bad on the shelf-turns to varnish like stuff..-I like Seafoam and Lucas..Free info-hope I didn't push any touchy buttons..just trying to help..

The only problems I have ever had in a tractor with ethanol was the alcohol would strip the varnish out of the old gummy fuel systems and plug things up. If you've never had this issue I wouldn't worry about it. Ive run e85 without problems in an 8n before but im not sure how good it would be on it long term

At least on a tractor carb u can take it apart and usually can clean it out..onweedeaters, blowers and saws ny exoeriences have been that u areusually ahead of the game to pitch the carb and get a new one..It will turn the rubber/plastic fuel lines and plastic parts to mush..In my Stihl saw and blower I use only their 2 cycle oil with a stabiliaer in it. Have had no problem Saw is 3 yrs old and blower a little over 2 yrs old. Both just get occasional use-always crank and perform well.Fresh gas/mix is the key..although I am guilty of keeping mixed gas longer than I should....

you still have mobil gas stations? they all closed here (SE PA Philly area) a few years ago. mostly replaced with Lukoil.

Use ethanol free in all small engines if you can.

There is no need to do so in your N unless you allow the tractor to sit unused for months.

Dean

They may be some merit to fuel line issues on 2 cycles as I have had issues myself. Coincidence are not I have replaced at least 8 metal fuel tanks on chebby and ford trucks this year... The bottom haft will be rust free are maybe one little spot of rust the top will be covered in fine rust dust... Some don't get driven much but why does this happen on a daily driver and I know they have the funds to put fuel in it (Soccer mom's)... I have a 96 chebby suburban in the shop now that I suspect I have going to have to put a fuel pump and tank in it... That rust/dust is wearing the pumps out ouch!

(quoted from post at 10:33:07 11/23/14) They may be some merit to fuel line issues on 2 cycles as I have had issues myself. Coincidence are not I have replaced at least 8 metal fuel tanks on chebby and ford trucks this year... The bottom haft will be rust free are maybe one little spot of rust the top will be covered in fine rust dust... Some don't get driven much but why does this happen on a daily driver and I know they have the funds to put fuel in it (Soccer mom's)... I have a 96 chebby suburban in the shop now that I suspect I have going to have to put a fuel pump and tank in it... That rust/dust is wearing the pumps out ouch!

Click to expand...

You have been doing this for quite a while but I don't think rust problems in a 20 year old gasoline tank is a new phenomenon. I have certainly had my share of them over the last half century;-) Some conventional wisdom:

[i:1d989f4464][color=blue:1d989f4464]As condensation builds up inside the fuel tank rust can form. Nearly every classic car or Musclecar left the factory with a metal gas tank. This condensation has been occurring on its surface for 20 years or more. This leads to surface rust and possible pinholes inside the tank. Rusty or leaking tanks can get expensive and are unnecessarily hard on the fuel system. Fortunately there is a relatively inexpensive solution for the Do-it-yourselfer. There are several brands of gas tank repair kits. Individual instructions and procedures for each may vary.[/color:1d989f4464][/i:1d989f4464]

I think in the "good old days" it simply caused fuel flow issues and was tolerated until it reached the point of actually leaking or the filter plugging became intolerable. Now it takes out in tank electric fuel pumps and makes for expensive repairs. That is one reason why "plastic" tanks are becoming more common ;-)

TOH

Yep, good number of Mobil. There is constant change in brands though, like Shell taking over BP stations, Conoco going Mobil while it seems Exxon is getting sparser, now Hess bought out by Marathon and here in Central FL WAWA is rapidly invading especially in the Orlando area where there well over 100 new sites! No Gulf till you get up to SC where there are a few.

Not a new but an accelerated condition. Ethanol attracts water and holds it for a varying time. Eventually the water drops out. If non ethanol fuel is mixed with ethanol containing fuel there can be a phase separation resulting. When this occurs ethanol, gasoline and water separate. This results in more water in the tank and more rapid rust progression. I have resided in FL for many a year, was with the nations largest boat builder for years and have seen the havoc caused by ethanol in gasoline especially in the marine industry, it ain't pretty!

I like the way you are thinking... I have had to change my way are pay the price...

The alcohol in gas issue has been raised in recent years and blamed for gas boiling issues in N-Series tractor gas tanks. The argument goes back and forth continuously. I also would say you are wasting your money on 'snake-oil' products like Stabil. I posted a whole list over on the 'other site' with their MSDS sheets and every one of them contains the main ingredient of mineral spirits. So if you want to put an additive in your gas, just use straight mineral spirits -a cup or two per tank. It won't hurt anything and will loosen up sludge a bit. It is also a very good parts cleaner solution. I have been using it since the 70's.

Tim 'PloughNman' Daley(MI)

WAWA has the cheapest gas around here and it's not from their food

quote="s19438"](reply to post at 13:00:45 11/23/14) [/quote]stihl knew of this problem and has not done anything on there end I know i use to sell them I run a Husqvarna now