Ethanol

[jackelope]

Is an ethanol additive/treatment sufficient for my small engine stuff or do I need to go find some ethanol free gas? Talking about only using it in small engines. Lawnmower, pressure washer, generator, etc. No dirt bikes, jet skis, etc. After just having my 2 year old pressure washer dead in the water, I thought maybe I better get on this. Thank you in advance.

[Bob33]

I've only used ethanol free gasoline in all my small gas powered engines for several years. It really seems to matter with 2 cycle engines.

[Alchase]

From what I understood, besides being less efficient then real gas, ethanol attracts moisture when gas is stored. The moisture is what causes the problems in smaller motors by breaking down gaskets and seals.
The additives like Sta-bil, keep the moisture out.

[fish vacuum]

It might depend on how long the gas  will be sitting around. For my chainsaw, outboard, and generator I use ethanol-free mostly because the gas won't be used up in a short period.
I would have no hesitation  running ethanol gas in those engines as long as it was fresh.

[Bob33]

Why risk it?

http://www.echo-usa.com/Warranty/Learn-About-Ethanol

http://www.husqvarna.com/us/forest/basics/ethanol-free-fuel/

https://www.stihlusa.com/information/articles/gasoline-guidelines-outdoor-power-equipment/

The engine repair shop I deal with says bad gasoline is the number one cause of problems they see.

[Oh Mah]

  yep.the gas part evaporates out alchohol draws in water you lose all the way around.that being said it is getting harder and harder to find these stations with ethanol free fuel.

[hollymaster]

Any piece of equipment that sits for more than a few weeks gets ethanol free fuel. Ethanol is death to engines that sit for extended periods of time.

[crabcreekhunter]

Use ethanol free in pretty much everything except my daily driver, high performance engines (dirt bikes, quads, especially outboards, jet skis, etc) definitely use, in lawn mower, snow blower, weed eater also use if available but otherwise ethanol works just dont let it sit too long.  As said absorbtion of water is the devil.

[Special T]

most small engines have some kind of Diaphragm fuel pump. ethanol is really hard on those especially if you dont run them dry aftere every use. I will use the state mandated fuel in my riding lawm mower but installed a cutoff switch to run dry after every use, and installed synthetic fuel hose. i hate the stuff but still use it in my weed eater but make sure to run it dry at the end of the year.

[Reidus]

I use the star-tron enzyme stuff in a blue bottle. been using it in lawnmower and weedeater with pump gas. had it sit in the tank over winter and start and run fine. Good stuff!

[johnny b]

If you wonder where you can buy E free fuel you can check the website Puregas.org and it lists most stations nationwide. They try to keep it up to date.  If you are near a marina your chances are good you can get it there.

[wadu1]

I've only used ethanol free gasoline in all my small gas powered engines for several years. It really seems to matter with 2 cycle engines.

[Crunchy]

Ethonal free in boat, pressure washer, lawn mower, edger and weedwacker.  I have 4 five gallon cans of it that i keep full.

[b23]

And, be prepared to get seriously gouged when you go to get it.  I only use pure gas in my mowers and other small engines but it is kind of ridiculous they charge nearly a dollar more per gallon for it.

[Crunchy]

It isnt too bad if you can find regular unleaded.  Usually its only premium unleaded. I laid 3.83 a gallon today