A FYI FOR GAS AUGERS

[bigb56303]

well i got my gas auger back from the shop yesterday and they had to put a carb kit in it. they told me that you should only run premium gas in any small engines, lawn mowers weed wips and augers etc. they said that they are puting to much ethanol or what ever in the gas and it is eating away the gaskets, he told me that if i didnt switch that it would be worth fixing again. so i am swithchin just thought i would give eveyone the heads up on this.

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

YES ! Run the "Non-Oxygenated" premium gas. The closest I found is the Amoco/BP in Stacy right by I-35.

Bring yer cans, fill 'em up & save yourself trouble & hassle on the water !

[LMITOUT]

Non-Oxy is all I run in my 2-strokes. Not worth the headaches.

Even with that, the gas today doesn't have the shelf life that it did years ago with the lead. Either add some sort of Stabil or Sea-Foam to your tank or just empty the tank completely and make sure the carbs are empty as well to help prevent the gumming that happens when it doesn't get run in the off-season.

[jwhjr]

I always fill up my can when I need it up north and run the Non-oxygenated gas in all my small engines. I've never had an issue even when the fuel has sat for awhile.

[stmichael]

I must be one of the lucky ones, I have been running all my engines on 87. My auger is going on 3 years, my chainsaws are going on 6, lawnmower is going on 16 (previous owner also use 87), 1982 75 h.p. outboard has just completed 5th year with me using this mix, not sure on previous owner, my sons Polaris (90cc)is going on 1 year with many tanks ran through it, generator is going on 4 years, and the snowblower going on the 10th season. All of these have had fuel sitting in them ranging from 3 months to 8 months, sometimes untreated. (Knock on wood). Of course the 4 wheeler is not included on this one. I cannot keep the boy off it for that long.

All of my two strokes I also run the Amsoil 100:1 ratio(saber professional).

Outboard gets the oil rated 100:1 for outboards.

I try and remember to treat the gas with sea foam, but, I have a history on forgetting to do that too.

[bigb56303]

well i always have run 87 in mine as well, this is new to me, i will run the good stuff in my auger anyway i dont get to use it as much as i would like, and i dont want to fight with it when i do get to use it, my lawn mower i use acouple times a week in the summer so the gas doesnt get stale, i just wanted to let everyone know what i was told to help out

[BIG DS]

Use the non-ox if the piece of equiptment will sit for a couple of weeks or more at a time. If you use it constantly, 87 works just fine.

[Surface Tension]

Actually there is some truth in that statement " ethanol or what ever in the gas and it is eating away the gaskets".

In the mid 70's gasket, diaphragm, and fuel line materials were changed to something that didn't break down with ethanol. On the non-oxy pump you'll notice it states For use in small engines and antique cars only.

Here in MN, oxygenated gas was mandated in the mid 90's. There were a lot of small engines that weren't really setup for that as far as fuel systems materials. Also fixed fuel jets were sized for non-oxy fuel. The biggest concern with those that understood fuel systems was that an engine would run hotter/leaner. A carb that was clean probably wouldn't have much of a problem because jetting is a little on the rich side. Take a dirty carb with the oxy gas and you made the situation worse. Now add the fact that oxy-gas breaks down sooner then non-oxy gas. The result is an increased chance to gum and varnish a carb and an engine with a dirty carb runs lean, add all the above factors and you will burnout an engine.

So you can use oxygenated gas in modern engines. If you plan on storing any fuel, use a fuel stabilizer. Just remember oxygenated gas has a much shorter shelf life.

If you do use oxy gas then do not use a fuel dryer, it already has the alcohol in it.

[BobT]

I agree. The later models are not affected by the effects of ethanol the way the older ones were.

I have been using ethanol in my chain saw for 20 years without trouble. This included about 3 years of professional logging. I have used only 87 octane in my lawn mowers, ice drills, etc. I have found that my M International tractor does have a problem with using just 87 octane. I bought a lead substitute once and when I read the label I discovered its only listed ingredient was karosene. I asked myself, "Why am I paying $3.50/qt. for karosene when I can get it for $1.50 a gallon?" This was a few years ago of course. I now mix 1 ounce of diesel fuel per 5 gallons of gasoline and have no performance issues.

Karosene of course is a much finer refined fuel than #2 diesel and would probably be a better choice but the diesel has been working fine for 15 years so I just use it.

Bob

[Northlander]

I have used regular unleaded in all my motors and never had a problem. Of course my stuff gets used regularly and when its does sit for a extended time I run stabil threw them 1st.

[anyfishwilldo]

I use the non-oxy gas, and the Amzoil sabre oil, @100-1. It works fantastic with no smoke, and always 1 pull starting.

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

So, it looks like the ones that believe in preventative maintenance use 100% Gasoline & that includes me.

Good luck to the non-believers rollin' the dice!

[Hookmaster]

Well this non-believer has had no problems with any engines running 87 octane unleaded regular. I used to run the non-oxy stuff in a few things but if you check the manufacturers manuals, they usual call for unleaded regular. I do put Stabil and/or Seafoam (if I want to give the fuel system a cleaning) in all my small engine gas, including my outboard. My F100 Yamaha has sat up 3 months in the fall while I'm hunting and has never acted up.

[BobT]

My chain saw has the same gas in it for over a year at times. 87 octane oxygenated fuel, no treatment. Has never failed me yet. My lawn mowers have 87 octane oxygenated all winter. Never failed to start right up in the spring with no treatemnt. My ice auger...same result. My farm tractor sometimes sits for months without any problems. I do use diesel at a rate of 1oz./5gal. in the M International as a lead substitute. Carburator needle valve sticks if I don't but I also know it has nothing to do with the age of the fuel. Until I purchased my recent boat I never treated or replaced the fuel for my outboard during the winter either. I will say that the motor's performance was better on 92 octane but over-wintering showed no problems.

My experience so far has taught me that treatment may not be necessary.

Okay, there was one time out many years and many engines when my ice auger gave me trouble. The fuel wouldn't even light in a bowl with a match. Replaced the fuel, pumped the primer a couple times and it was running. It should be noted too that the fuel in question was at least a couple years old.

Bob

[bigb56303]

hey guys i am just tell in ya what i was told as information do whatever you want to do if it works for you fine, but todays gas isnt the same quality as before its your choice