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CORNHICK All-Star Author Omaha Posts:597 Points:270,505 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2010 9:04:45 PM Ignore CORNHICK Report Abuse Does ethanol (10%) make a small engine run better or worse

CORNHICK

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Omaha

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Message Posted: Oct 24, 2010 9:04:45 PM

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Does ethanol (10%) make a small engine run better or worse

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krzysiek_ck Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,322 Points:728,910 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 31, 2012 11:44:49 AM Ignore krzysiek_ck Report Abuse fire@53 wrote: "Ethanol has less energy and is bad for rubber parts in small engines." Rubber Chemical Resistance Chart or Rubber Chemical Resistance Chart These charts say otherwise. The rubber chemical resistance charts do not speak very well about common chemicals found in gasoline, like benzene, xylene, or toluene. Ethanol looks much, much better.
fire@53 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:11,828 Points:2,769,075 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Oct 31, 2012 11:02:05 AM Ignore fire@53 Report Abuse Ethanol has less energy and is bad for rubber parts in small engines. Also, the life of this fuel is now about 45 days before it goes bad according to my Stihl dealer.
stickyvalves Champion Author Iowa Posts:5,270 Points:1,556,745 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 11:59:11 AM Ignore stickyvalves Report Abuse I still have not had any problems with my mowers due to using gasohol. I do have to sharpen the blade occasionally.
krzysiek_ck Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,322 Points:728,910 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 10:32:06 AM Ignore krzysiek_ck Report Abuse Very impressive, Dreamer4one5 You should take a look at the General Forum Guidelines "11. Please do not advertise on the website."
Dreamer4one5 Sophomore Author Amarillo Posts:158 Points:101,980 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:27:39 AM Ignore Dreamer4one5 Report Abuse Ethanol is NOT beneficial in any engine, especially small engines. Here's a little info I found about ethanol in small engines. http://www.fuel-testers.com/ethanol_fuel_disadvantages.html
goldseeker Champion Author West Virginia Posts:19,545 Points:2,718,815 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Oct 29, 2012 3:20:55 AM Ignore goldseeker Report Abuse "Ethanol turns to gum residual if sat for too long. Small engines are venerable due this to this" Actually this is a false statement. It is gasoline that leaves a gummy residue after evaporation.
golfer7332 Sophomore Author Toronto Posts:206 Points:76,590 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Oct 28, 2012 11:39:10 PM Ignore golfer7332 Report Abuse Ethanol turns to gum residual if sat for too long. Small engines are venerable due this to this
goldseeker Champion Author West Virginia Posts:19,545 Points:2,718,815 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Oct 28, 2012 2:12:30 AM Ignore goldseeker Report Abuse "Many later products are probably made with parts which are ethanol tolerant materials but older engines may suffer." That is funny as my 22 year old mower runs just fine on ethanol fuels and has for over 12 years.
Royski All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:884 Points:180,825 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Oct 27, 2012 10:27:56 AM Ignore Royski Report Abuse Whatever the benefits (small at best) or disadvantages (higher fuel consumption, damage to unprepared older engines) to engines, ethanol is a boondoggle lousy for the world: higher corn [food] prices and probably carbon positive when one takes everything into consideration.
Titanic1985 Champion Author South Carolina Posts:6,257 Points:358,095 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Oct 27, 2012 10:08:15 AM Ignore Titanic1985 Report Abuse Hi CORNHICK. I just purchased a commercial grade chipper/shredder on Thursday ($2054), after two weeks of reading about products and calling virtually every company. The three best selling companies (note: they sell many units under multiple brand names) have had to "modify" their engines after experiencing problems with E10. This was not rhetoric from a sales person, but information from two service departments and one Engineer. My own experience validates that issue. One Honda engine and one Briggs & Straton Engine experience metal damage to the carburetors requiring replacement. The Honda carb was $75 and the Briggs & Straton was $50. I now have a source of EO and don't use E10. Yes, I did put fuel shutoffs on all of my engines and did run them empty, but the damage to the metal carbs was during normal use. You can purchase a lot of E0 for the $125 spent on those two carburetors. I should note that I've used Stabilit for years. Take care :-).
B5Quattro Sophomore Author Akron Posts:139 Points:107,725 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Oct 26, 2012 11:27:24 AM Ignore B5Quattro Report Abuse Many later products are probably made with parts which are ethanol tolerant materials but older engines may suffer. I work in dealership parts sales and thats the nature of auto parts . We saw lots of fuel injector problems as ethanol percentages increased and not so many issues in later years. Would hope manufacturers would make things with future fuels in consideration .
goldseeker Champion Author West Virginia Posts:19,545 Points:2,718,815 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Oct 26, 2012 5:35:06 AM Ignore goldseeker Report Abuse Actually ethanol in small engines is better. I just fired up my wood splitter this week and it had set for about 7 months with a tank of ethanol fuel, and it works just fine.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:51,297 Points:2,143,175 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Oct 26, 2012 1:20:43 AM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse On Oct 8, 2012 1:08:14 PM, tomintx wrote: >The problem with ethanol in small engines is those engines >that are not run very often. >1-3 hours of my time, vs. whatever false benefit is >claimed by those who are restricting my freedom to >purchase the correct fuel for my machinery. If you could keep the "correct fuel" out of wide usage, your lousy machinery would not matter much.
Daurel Veteran Author Indiana Posts:310 Points:32,790 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Oct 24, 2012 10:39:11 AM Ignore Daurel Report Abuse I was a National service manager for a Commercial Lawnmower Manufacturing Co. In my ten (10) years that I was handling problems and going to Dealers open houses ethanol was NEVER the Main issue "FACT" you do NOT store ANY small engine with the fuel in it! You want junk the next year ignore the manufactures suggestion on this, store the equipment in a non heated dirt floor enclosed building and you get RUST WATER = junk. Ethanol does NOT have to be anywhere NEAR the Equipment. Ethanol has been around here for 36years seem like the lies just keep getting bigger. Also Acetone (it is one of the main additives in REGULAR GAS)eats your plastic fuel lines just go to the paint store and READ the warnings on the container. Also some of you need to do some research before making FOOLS of yourselves.
CORNHICK All-Star Author Omaha Posts:597 Points:270,505 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Oct 9, 2012 10:50:05 PM Ignore CORNHICK Report Abuse if i put the ethanol stuff in my car will that mess it up i know a lot of people are netural on this but idc what the price is i just want to knw what is the best for the car
73amx Champion Author Allentown Posts:1,168 Points:458,790 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Oct 9, 2012 11:28:24 AM Ignore 73amx Report Abuse seems like smaller engines don't have the same power with the 10%
Alfys007 Sophomore Author Alabama Posts:241 Points:27,085 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Oct 8, 2012 8:41:54 PM Ignore Alfys007 Report Abuse Don't put ethanol in small motors...
brerrabbitTX Champion Author Houston Posts:1,029 Points:18,265 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 8, 2012 5:21:59 PM Ignore brerrabbitTX Report Abuse My personal experience is that I have not had any problems what so ever running e-10 in my lawnmower. THis includes when it sits for the winter, although living in the Houston area we don't have a whole lot of winter. I have had problems with my smaller engines that use 50 to 1 or 40 to 1 gas oil mixes. These would include my weedeater/edger (interchangable heads), my chainsaw, and my gas powered blower. On the chainsaw I have had to rerun fuel lines several times because they turn to a gel. The weedeater/ blower I seem to get a new one every three years. I take it to the shop and the estimate for repair to the carb/ fuel lines almost always exceeds the cost of a new one. I can get a powerhead for my attachments for $69.99. The blower has been in the shop several times as well. Now I am no expert and don't believe everything people tell me but I know this. I don't have these problems with straight e-10. I only have issues with the ones that use the gas/oil mixes. I can't honestly say if its the ethanol, or the oil, or the combination of the two. I have started draining all the gas out of the engines if I will not be using it within a week or two and the problems have eased up. But from my own personal experience something aint right because when I blended e-0 and oil for small engines I never had these issues. I have had outboard motors for over 40 years and that oil/gas mix never gave me any problems either till ethanol got added to the mix. Again I am making no accusations one way or another, just stating my actual experience.
tomintx All-Star Author Dallas Posts:744 Points:80,235 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Oct 8, 2012 2:08:14 PM Ignore tomintx Report Abuse The problem with ethanol in small engines is those engines that are not run very often. I have a DOA chain saw because it had some E10 put into it and I had forgotten to drain the tank before putting it away. I have tried to re-start it with fresh E0, but no joy. Time to take the carb apart and clean the whole thing. 1-3 hours of my time, vs. whatever false benefit is claimed by those who are restricting my freedom to purchase the correct fuel for my machinery. Once it gets fixed, I am transitioning to the pre-mix fuel that is now available. Popular Mechanics article on Ethanol and 2 cycle engines. It's those big oil shills over at Popular Mechanics!
krzysiek_ck Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,322 Points:728,910 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 8, 2012 12:56:54 PM Ignore krzysiek_ck Report Abuse tdioiler wrote: "Some older units that powered stationary systems (generator, pumps...) had some plastic seals that turned hard and cracked when ethanol hit them." Yet, the Plastic Chemical Resistance do not agree with you mr. mechanic. Plastic Chemical Resistance or Plastic Chemical Resistance I suggest you check how plastics handle the common chemicals found in gasoline like benzene, xylene, or toluene compared to Ethanol. tdioiler wrote: "Hey krzysiek_ck, someone spoke their thoughts so why don't you state someting of value here?" Do you have something else to add, mr. mechanic? Do you need my help with understanding these charts? [Edited by: krzysiek_ck at 10/8/2012 12:59:48 PM EST]
tdioiler All-Star Author Detroit Posts:892 Points:419,940 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Oct 8, 2012 11:58:57 AM Ignore tdioiler Report Abuse Check you manual. If the engine is older than 15 years, they might not place a spec on the original manual, but good repair shops might be able to tell you. Some older units that powered stationary systems (generator, pumps...) had some plastic seals that turned hard and cracked when ethanol hit them. Keeping up with maintenance can offset that, but more of a pain than good, I think. Hey krzysiek_ck, someone spoke their thoughts so why don't you state someting of value here? All you do is poke at everyone else, but you still are a Bear's fan? pphhhhh
drz614 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:2,300 Points:597,690 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 10:09:32 PM Ignore drz614 Report Abuse definately hard on small engine.
CORNHICK All-Star Author Omaha Posts:597 Points:270,505 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 12:52:53 PM Ignore CORNHICK Report Abuse I don't use ethanol in them but I was thinking about using it thanks!
krzysiek_ck Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,322 Points:728,910 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 11:10:09 AM Ignore krzysiek_ck Report Abuse reb4 wrote: "What i find funny is when someone makes a claim that is contrary to the belief of a person in favor of ethanol, their comments are attacked, yet when someone claims they don't notice any difference in using ethanol or they use 50% ethanol in non ethanol running vehilces, their is silence from these same posters..." I find it funny that you still fail to post your personal experience when using Ethanol. How are your car, lawn mover, maybe snow blower engines doing while you use Ethanol in them?
Alfys007 Sophomore Author Alabama Posts:241 Points:27,085 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 10:27:45 AM Ignore Alfys007 Report Abuse I thought motor ran smoother... So, Better.
Alfys007 Sophomore Author Alabama Posts:241 Points:27,085 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 10:26:27 AM Ignore Alfys007 Report Abuse It destoys the motor inside out. Ask a dealer you trust...
reb4 Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,104 Points:1,822,045 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 9:20:27 AM Ignore reb4 Report Abuse "E10 blew up a lawnmower?" What i find funny is when someone makes a claim that is contrary to the belief of a person in favor of ethanol, their comments are attacked, yet when someone claims they don't notice any difference in using ethanol or they use 50% ethanol in non ethanol running vehilces, their is silence from these same posters...
CORNHICK All-Star Author Omaha Posts:597 Points:270,505 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 2:27:07 AM Ignore CORNHICK Report Abuse yes i have heard to that ethanol is bad for motors I just wish we had a miracle fuel to get us away from imported oil lol
rumbleseat Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:22,925 Points:3,530,290 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Oct 26, 2010 7:55:37 AM Ignore rumbleseat Report Abuse E10 blew up a lawnmower? That's hilarious! Man, the things that get posted in the name of oneupmanship!
furball64801 Champion Author Missouri Posts:4,314 Points:113,265 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Oct 25, 2010 8:40:14 PM Ignore furball64801 Report Abuse Been using ethanol for years, my brother owns a lawn moWing service in Wi and has for over 10 yrs. He has several mowers and weed wackers and they all run on at least a 10% ethanol mix. He does 25 lawns per week and he reports no problems from ethanol.
vman61 Veteran Author London Posts:299 Points:193,265 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Oct 25, 2010 8:13:52 PM Ignore vman61 Report Abuse there are many instances if ethanol gas damaging small engines. Recreational products may be very prone to damage due to them sitting for longer storage times. If i can find gas with little or no ethanol thats good. /2010/10/ethanol-scam-and-your-motorcycle-engine.html
WEPSMAN Champion Author South Dakota Posts:10,513 Points:2,023,925 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Oct 25, 2010 7:31:15 PM Ignore WEPSMAN Report Abuse After buying a new leaf blower today, the owners manual says that ethanol is not gasoline and should not be used. It specifically states that E-15 and E-85 and all blends in between should not be used but does not address E-10. [Edited by: WEPSMAN at 10/25/2010 7:32:08 PM EST]
goldseeker Champion Author West Virginia Posts:19,545 Points:2,718,815 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Oct 25, 2010 2:17:11 PM Ignore goldseeker Report Abuse I have used it for over 10 years in my small engines. Works fine.
SilverStreaker Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:11,934 Points:2,215,565 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Oct 25, 2010 9:18:49 AM Ignore SilverStreaker Report Abuse Minnesota has required 10% ethanol in gas since 2003. I have not heard of any reports about engines running better or worse and no reports about maintanance issues or exploding engines. My 30 year old lawnmower has been running just fine.
Maintroll Champion Author Lexington Posts:8,629 Points:1,702,910 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Oct 25, 2010 9:06:50 AM Ignore Maintroll Report Abuse It definitely isn't good for small engines. One of my mowers says to not run more than 10 percent ethanol, and I don't know what we are going to do if they start putting 15 percent into this crap. I have already blown up one small engine this year and I am believing that it was ethanol because it had plenty of oil in it at the time. This engine literally blew apart through the crankcase. I can't afford to keep buying lawnmowers because of this stupid ethanol.
jdhelm Champion Author Iowa Posts:11,848 Points:1,197,915 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Oct 25, 2010 8:55:10 AM Ignore jdhelm Report Abuse follow your manufacturer's engine guidelines. Most small engine mechanics will tell you to burn regular gas and not ethanol blends in small engines, becuse of potential dangers to small engines which are not manufactured for ethanol.
WEPSMAN Champion Author South Dakota Posts:10,513 Points:2,023,925 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Oct 25, 2010 8:29:30 AM Ignore WEPSMAN Report Abuse I use regular unleaded inmy small engines. I do not know if it hurts them or not. I know that marine motors do not like ethanol.