Ethanol in gasoline woes !!

hemi43 · ONTARIO

Ethanol in gasoline woes !!

hemi43 · ONTARIO

I think this subject was touched upon a few weeks ago, but couldn't find the thread.

I've notice lately that fuel starts to cause me grief after only sitting for a couple of months, and I think it's related to the ethanol they now put in gasoline. Does anyone have gas without ethanol in it ?? I run everything I have on 87 octane, and have never had issues in the past. Also, what is the best fuel stabylizer to use for the upcoming winter strorage.? For years I've used StayBil, but just wondering if there's something out there that is more suited to todays fuel.

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

Dan I stay with the "STAYBIL" brand, it seems to work the best. Yep Gas is the $hits & usually only good for 30 days. I've been staying with Shell high test, as it's Ethanol free. If your up to the Casino on the Scugog Island Indian Reserve, the "new" gas station there is saying "all their fuel" is ethanol free & price is good too!!! Filled the 64 there last wk. High test was $1;25 & it was $1:48 in Port!!!!! Also you should be running ANY small engine on the Ethanol free stuff, or your going to have some GRIEF soon!!!

poncho62 · ADMINISTRATOR

Biggest problem I have had with the gas is that it rots out the little fuel lines on my 2 stroke stuff....weedwackers, chainsaws etc.......

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

poncho62 wrote:
Biggest problem I have had with the gas is that it rots out the little fuel lines on my 2 stroke stuff....weedwackers, chainsaws etc.......

Thats one of the symptoms Harry, others have had the fuel bowl rot through, & green like "SNOT" build up in bowl & all thru the carb blocking the passages!! Gas tank liners falling apart & doing a # on the fuel system, It just goes on & on, beat way is "don't use the $hit" in small engines. Saw a chain saw last week that "bloed up real good" as the ethanol settled on the bottom aft. sitting for awhile & fired up on "pure " alcohol" & just fryed the engine!!! Least thats what the dealer thinks happened to it!!!!!

Sacotu · COBOURG, ONT

so do the pumps have to say 10% ethanol added? i filled the jimmy up last week at the pioneer in town and i noticed it had it on the pumps, couple of days ago i filled the other winter beater up at the ultramar and nothing on the pumps. i know i quit going to shell because a friend of mine said their fuel had an additive that shellacked my fuel sending gauge units. both the winter beaters the fuel gauges quit working till i ran fuel injector cleaner thru them a couple of times and they haven't acted up since (couple of years). back to this ethanol crap, i'm hearing its playing havoc with anything that has fuel that sits for a while ie bikes lawnmover, generators, weedwhackers, antique vehicles and so on. so if the pump doesn't say 10% ethanol added am i safe? or do ya think they have it in small print somewhere in the building.

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

I've had to ask the owner of station if their is or is not, some don't know, but I know shell is Ok & "some Esso" but have to check b-4 you fill as some get their fuel from diff. locations. Farm dealer here has a "ethanol" tester. Haven't seen it work yet but imagine it changes colour [ like a cop roadside drug tester?] They had to get one as the Mfg. said if theres ethanol in the tank "NO WARR" on any garden equip. damages. I'm sure Shell changed after that "gas guage" epesode!!!

oldkoot · BROCKVILLE, ONT

For the grass trimmer, leaf & snow blower, generator and garden tractor, I keep Stabil in the two 5 gallon cans I have year round. In the fall I drain the gas and run them dry for winter storage, I don't keep fuel in the generator until I need it, aferwards I drain and run it dry. Even though the rod doesn't need it, I'll run premium to avoid the ethanol, filled at the Ultramar today and 87&89 pump have the 10% ethanol label, nothing on the premium pump.

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

Didn't see any Ultramar stations listed on Hemis. link but they could be eth. free. Most common listing was Shell & 2nd [some] ESSO most were "unbranded"

oldkoot · BROCKVILLE, ONT

Pete,

Put on the glasses and look again, Ultramar in Gananoque.

sasquatch · NORTH BAY, ONT

Thanks hemi43 for posting that chart. It shows nothing there for the North Bay area.

I have no idea just who is selling ethanol free fuel around here, but am going to ask.

The other day i pulled out a 2500 Kawasaki generator here that hasn't been run for two years. (It was put away with the tank almost full.)

After a short service check, it started "FIRST" pull, sat there and idled perfectly.

That surprised me, and have no idea if that fuel contained ethanol or not.

Yup, i have had to change the rotten fuel lines on both wipper snipper and chainsaw.

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

oldkoot wrote:
Pete,

Put on the glasses and look again, Ultramar in Gananoque.

Your right Don, maybe I should have your "handle" on here!!! Think I did have my glasses on but memory going as well as eyesight!!!!

Jazz · THUNDER BAY, ONT

poncho62 wrote:
Biggest problem I have had with the gas is that it rots out the little fuel lines on my 2 stroke stuff....weedwackers, chainsaws etc.......

STIHL service dept recommended only hi-test in the 2 strokes to avoid rotting your fuel lines and gumming up carb..works for me. I drain all fuel from engines being stored for a few months..my Honda boat motor has a drain plug on each carb,,drains all the fuel, it's so slick,,those Japanese think of everything. My old binder I fire up at least once a month during the winter,,even go for occasional cruise.. My friend tells me fuel stabilizer is just methyl hydrate,,I don't know but he lives off the grid and has quite a few seasonal use engines.

sasquatch · NORTH BAY, ONT

Re: Menthyl Hydrate:

Not sure about the fuel stabilizer,, but i do add Menthyl Hydrate to just about everything on and off, Depending on what amount of gas is in the tank.

flatblack55delivery · PORT HOPE, ONT

Went to the Shell in Port Hope today and according to the pump there premium Vplus has no ethanol added($1.35liter). Ed

427CARL · CLINTON, ONT

It was actually marked on Pump I'll have to check our local Shell I don't put a lot of miles on so the cost is not a issue for me

SKAR · PETERBOROUGH, ONT

91 from what ive seen so far is always ethanol free, around here anyways. 83 and 87 both usually have the 10% ethanol sticker on them.

Modfather · VICTORIA HARBOUR, ONT

sasquatch wrote:
Re: Menthyl Hydrate:

Not sure about the fuel stabilizer,, but i do add Menthyl Hydrate to just about everything on and off, Depending on what amount of gas is in the tank.

Adding methyl hydrate to corn fuel is a big no no. Ethanol is already alchohol and the bigest problem is that it absorbes moisture. Adding methal hydrate increases the the problems two fold. Stay with the Stay Bil or the Startron and keep less fuel in the tank. biggrin

-- Edited by Modfather on Wednesday 14th of November 2012 04:14:02 PM

Sacotu · COBOURG, ONT

years ago when i lived in ottawa. there was a winks gas station at shopper city west. i used to see notices stapled to telephone poles saying winks stinks. i thought disgruntled employee maybe. till i started gassing up there occasionally. closest gas station for me before i hit the queensway. one morning i was on empty so i hit winks before my trek to carp, now the tbird ran like crap for the duration of that tank and i figured something to that notices and stopped filling up at winks. i did get caught one more time leaving my tank on empty till the next morning and i filled up at winks again. lets say i never went back. winks stinks!!!

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

Yrs. ago i hauled fuel tanker,mostly to OLCO stations & got my loads at either ESSO or Sunco bulk tanks at Keele & Finch area. We had to punch in a code for where the load was going & that put the different additives in the load. Sometimes picked up a load at Hamilton harbour & it was US gas, coloured PINK & apparently "crappy" Gas

hemi43 · ONTARIO

I just checked the fuel level in my car, and thankfully the tank is almost empty ( I never thought I would ever say that)
I'm gonna run over to Shell today and fill it with super, and throw some Stay-Bil in it. Then she will have a long winter's nap in my spray booth.

DaveM · ONTARIO

Modfather wrote:
and keep less fuel in the tank.

-- Edited by Modfather on Wednesday 14th of November 2012 04:14:02 PM

Less fuel in the tank=more air in the tank=more moisture available.

The ethanol will draw moisture out of the air.

Full tank for storage for this kid.

427CARL · CLINTON, ONT

DaveM wrote:
Modfather wrote:
Full tank for storage for this kid.

times 2 I filled them up and added "stay bill"

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

Me 3!!! filled the 64 2+2 up & stabilzed it [non ethanol] Let the 52 run almost dry as tank "may have to come out" Think breather tube is plugged, it's a "pig' to put gas in, keeps blowing back at you???

Lil John · UDORA, ONT

I filled up with super with no additives. Same with all my small engines, just run them on super, leave em over winter and away they go in spring. Haven't6 used snowblower in 2 yrs and with about 1/4 tank it fired right up. Does anyone know how long Sta-Bil is good for? John.

Pint and a Pound · AJAX, ONT

Modfather wrote:
did someone say full tank ?? Ethanol attracts moisture and where is your tank vented to? Unless you run a vent filter that captures the moisture more fuel means more absorbtion which means more moisture in the fuel.

I would assume they are filling up the tank in preparation for winter storage, with premium gas that doesn't have any alcohol in it (at least that is what I am doing with one of our cars).

-- Edited by Pint and a Pound on Thursday 15th of November 2012 02:22:16 PM

fatchuk · ST MARYS, ONTARIO

Sta-bill is usless in any fuel with ethonal..ethonal is alcohol..so is sta-bil..

what you need it this product..and it available at CTC.. but the fuel stabilizers we always beleived were doing the job are not at least not with ethonal ..Sta-bil is about the same as ethonal..check the link below..but do not think you are safe with sta-bil or any other of the old style stabilizers they are fine as long as they are NOT used in fuel containing ethonal..Sorry Carl I respectfully disagree... I would rather have a full tank of fuel, less moisture will acumulate on the inner walls and top of the tank from frost or cold..just my opinion an empty tank will sweat inside and more condensation and water will run down into the fuel..A full tank for me..

http://mystarbrite.com/startron/

-- Edited by fatchuk on Thursday 15th of November 2012 03:07:00 PM

-- Edited by fatchuk on Thursday 15th of November 2012 03:37:08 PM

hemi43 · ONTARIO

I didn't want to post a specific link, but there seems to be lots of good info here, but it may take time to go through everything. It seems Stay-Bil makes a specific product for fuels containing ethanol.

http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/stabil/

Modfather · VICTORIA HARBOUR, ONT

Sta Bil is good for up to 10 months. did someone say full tank ?? Ethanol attracts moisture and where is your tank vented to? Unless you run a vent filter that captures the moisture more fuel means more absorbtion which means more moisture in the fuel. Just sayin It is a big problem in the marine industry.

DaveM · ONTARIO

fatchuk wrote:
, less moisture will acumulate on the inner wall of the tank from frost or cold..just my opinion an empty tank will sweat inside and water will run down into the fuel..

Modfather · VICTORIA HARBOUR, ONT

My cars are stored inside and I use the CTC brand of stabilizer I dont know what is in it but it feels more of an oil base. For those of you interested visit this site www.startron.com It will fill you in on ethanol fuels and treating them.

hemi43 · ONTARIO

fatchuk wrote:
Sta-bill is usless in any fuel with ethonal..ethonal is alcohol..so is sta-bil..

I have to disagree with that statement.

If gasoline containing ethanol goes skunky after 30 days, why would Sta-Bil not do the same when added to gasoline? I'm sure there's more to it than that !! I've used Stay-Bil in the past with zero problems, but can't recall if that was with gas containing ethanol or not. I will try and contact someone and post what I find out so that we're not all just making assumptions.

fatchuk · ST MARYS, ONTARIO

I believe you miss read what I sad or meant or I was unclear..but I meant any of the sta-bil or CTC stabilizers that we have been using thinking they were working to protect and stabilizing fuel over the winter..in out toys, or yard machines Well I am sticking by my words..you have to use a special product for ethonal..and the CTC brand is not it...nor is the standard sta-bil..check the link I included..They do sell this brand at CTC..But the reg stuff will make your problem worse..it sure does not do anything for ethonal fuels..

http://mystarbrite.com/startron/

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

Just use "NON-ETHANOL" high test fuel!!! Problem Solved!! Dump in the Stay-Bil & say good night Irene!!!!

hemi43 · ONTARIO

dualquadpete wrote:
Just use "NON-ETHANOL" high test fuel!!! Problem Solved!! Dump in the Stay-Bil & say good night Irene!!!!

That's what I will be doing !! We've had ethanol in our gas for a few years now, but have never had issues until now. Maybe they're are putting in a higher percentage in.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

fatchuk wrote:
Sta-bill is usless in any fuel with ethonal..ethonal is alcohol..so is sta-bil..

Not sure what I read wrong in your statement ?? The way I read it was you're saying Sta-Bil IS alcohol !! I'm sure it's more than that

fatchuk · ST MARYS, ONTARIO

I think this is a good chart,

http://www.fuel-testers.com/is_gas_additive_safe_with_e10_list.html

hemi43 · ONTARIO

fatchuk wrote:
I think this is a good chart,
http://www.fuel-testers.com/is_gas_additive_safe_with_e10_list.html

So for the record. Sta-Bil does not contain alcohol and is safe to use with fuels containing ethanol !!

This is why I challenged your statement, because I didn't believe Sta-Bil was, or contained any alcohol. I'm not trying to be a hard ass, I just want to keep any information posted here to be factual for anyone else that requires the correct answer. Thanks for the link !!

Sacotu · COBOURG, ONT

thanxs that helps

fatchuk · ST MARYS, ONTARIO

Hemi..I believe they have a new Sta-bil especially blended for ethonal..I think there are two different ones..the old Sta-bil and the new blend for ethonal fuels..I was refering to the standard old sta-bil and CTC staybilizers that are not to be used ..At least that's the way I understand it..And yes I agree ..I too am not trying to argue or be a monkey ..just trying to have the discussion so we get it right ..But everything I have read says the reg old Stay-bil or fuel stabilizers we used to use in non-ethonal, are not safe to use in ethonal..I have read so many opinions and discussions of this It was really confusing ..I guess in the end each will make their own conclusion ..But for me a full Tank of Shell priemiem in my 48 and all the yard stuff with the regular unleaded ethonal will get the new stabilizers from Star-tron or the new blended-Sta-bil for use with ethonal..I was only trying to confirm we knew there was a new blend for this ethonal fuel, thats why I posted the links to the information I found re this subject..It's important for all us motor heads cause we got so much invested in our toys and so much junk that uses ethonal fuel

Last week CTC had a special on thier reg name brand of fuel stabizer so I bought 4 liters of the stuff ..only to find after reading all week about this ethonal issue and the old stabilizers that I can't use it as it contains alcohol..It actually says on the bottle it contains mineral spirits..and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene.. Anyway I picked up a couple bottles of the star-tron..for the Motor home and generator and lawnmowers and the biggrin methane in the washroom..I sure was not trying be argumentive just trying to get it straight and get some other views and input..Some times when trying to make a point in a post it is hard to see a responders view/demeaner in the light it was intended..even with all the information we have access to ,it's still hard to sort out the facts from the myths, old wives tales, and baloney..There that should be clear as mud........... confuse

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

dualquadpete wrote:
Just use "NON-ETHANOL" high test fuel!!! Problem Solved!! Dump in the Stay-Bil & say good night Irene!!!!

DO I HAVE TO SAY IT AGAIN!!!!!!

DaveM · ONTARIO

It's an open forum. Say it as many times as you like.

Sacotu · COBOURG, ONT

sorry i just can't make my scotish blood pay for hi-test. plus i also picked up some of that ctc fuel stabilizer while it was on cheap recently. guess i'll pick up some stabil tomorrow but i'll read the fine print before i buy.

hemi43 · ONTARIO

Hey Pete !! Is Irene that Chinese lady down the road with only one leg?

Pint and a Pound · AJAX, ONT

hemi43 wrote:
Hey Pete !! Is Irene that Chinese lady down the road with only one leg?

Don't think so .... I wemember her name being Peg. Could be wong though.

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

I think the "GONG" show just got brought back for a 're-Run' ????? Those were TERRIBLE!!!!! OH was over at the farm dealer & mechanic was working on portable generator, fuel system full of "green SNOT" from ethanol, fuel lines had rotted off!! Owner was shocked & said "they told me to use HIGH test w/out ethanol but I didn't think it made any difference" now he's got a whopping bill thats more than the extra fuel!!!

hemi43 · ONTARIO

Pint and a Pound wrote:
hemi43 wrote:
Hey Pete !! Is Irene that Chinese lady down the road with only one leg?

Don't think so .... I wemember her name being Peg. Could be wong though.

Hmmm, I think you're wrong !! I remember she used to live beside that white woman with only one leg named Ilene !

stanwalker · New Member

There is a web site Ethanol Free Gas in Ontario. This site lists all stations who carry thanol free gasoline.

Stan Walker

hemi43 · ONTARIO

stanwalker wrote:
There is a web site Ethanol Free Gas in Ontario. This site lists all stations who carry thanol free gasoline.

Stan Walker

I posted it at the beginning of this thread

http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=ON

-- Edited by hemi43 on Tuesday 20th of November 2012 07:04:28 AM

fatchuk · ST MARYS, ONTARIO

To add to the above list..The CTC store in Stratford does not have ethonal in any of thier gas ,all grades are ethonal free..The Shell @Adelaide & Cheapside in London sells the mid grade @ 5% ethonal and the 91 with no ethonal..and TSC has lots and lots of the Startron Ethonal fuel stabilizer

DaveM · ONTARIO

I was at the Shell in Port Hope the other day. The pump says no ethanol in the 91 V-power.

I'll check the local shell next time I'm there.