Ethenol gas and Cubs

[Pickerincal]

So I borrowed a pressure washer that sat for several months and would not run. The guy at the shop says " it's from Ethenol they now put in the fuel, the gas goes bad faster and leaves a varnish in the carb." It's a Briggs and Stratton engine, never had a problem like that with my mower.
Anyone have this problem with their Cubs or other tractors? I never heard of it. Don't want to rebuild my Cub then run crappy fuel through it. I know fuel get old but would still burn, just not as good.
I'm being told the best thing to to is empty the tank, run the machine til it runs out of fuel and empty the bowl before storing the machine for any longer than a few weeks. Heck, I go a month without mowing the lawn

[gitractorman]

Actually, what you've described, trying to run the tank dry, is probably the worst thing to do with ethanol gas. Ethanol, when exposed to air, breaks down more quickly. The better option, and one that most folks on here do already, is to put Stabil, Sea Foam, or whatever your preferred gasoline stabilizer is into each 5-gallon can of gas when you buy it. Gasoline now goes bad in as few as 30 days, so I just treat every can when I fill it. Then, no matter how long it sits in a piece of equipment, it's already treated.

You can never actually run all of the gas out of a fuel system. All that actually happens is you draw the level down enough that it sucks air into the system, and that kills the engine. Often, the fuel filter, fuel bowl on the carb, and much of the internal carb parts still have gas in them. This residual gas is what goes bad when exposed to air, and causes corrosion inside the carb. Probably the worst thing that you can do to any piece of equipment. If the fuel system stays full, with no air in it, then those wetted parts are not exposed to air, and the fuel cannot break down as easily and corrode the internal parts. If you read any manual for any new piece of equipment it will say to treat the fuel system with stabilizer prior to storing for extended periods. NONE of them will say to run the tank dry prior to storage.

[olebluegrassboy]

I always turn of my gas and let the engine die. I started doing this because the cub seems to start better the next time I use it. Gitractorman, are you saying it would better to just hit the kill switch? Or is the difference between a week and a month of not running? Dale.

[bythepond88]

I have never (touch wood) had a problem with ethanol gas in my cub, even before I started using Sta-Bil. I try to remember to turn off the gas at the tank when done, but I usually do so after shutting the engine down, and it's more to prevent losing gas due to a faulty needle valve than anything else.

[danovercash]

I'm a firm beliver in Sta-bil. Need to switch to marine grade or Startron, but that stuff is expensive.

[Virginia Mike]

Just say "NO" to ethanol, you will be happier.

[danovercash]

I did say No last fill up, 3.94 per gallon.

[Pickerincal]

Just say "NO" to ethanol, you will be happier.

I would say no but I'm told ALL fuel has Ethanol in it now..

I did say No last fill up, 3.94 per gallon.

I just replaced all the fuel in my toy and tools. Added some Seafoam to the ones sitting a while and ran them, let em sit then put fresh fuel in with Sta-bil at $4. 45 a gallon! and ran em again.

[bob in CT]

Been using it for almost 20 years in the Northeast. Never had a problem. Much ado about nothing.

In fact, I use my Cubs as disposal unit for old gas. I will make sure it is diluted, but with the low compression and an otherwise good tune, they will burn just about anything.

[Tezell]

We can still get ethanol free gas here. I use it in everything but my truck. Just to be on the safe side.

[Don McCombs]

Just say "NO" to ethanol, you will be happier.

If only that were possible.

[RogerW]

I'm with Bob on the ethanol gas. My cub gets filled up maybe 3 times a year, and I have run Ethanol in it with no problems. I put Sea Foam in it once in a while if it is going to set a while. I have used ethanol gas in everything for years with no problems, although I did buy non-ethanol for my generator, as it doesn't get run often.

[Virginia Mike]

Just say "NO" to ethanol, you will be happier.

If only that were possible.

Try around marine dealers and boat suppliers. Outboards require ethanol free gas.

[Bill Hudson]

The better option, and one that most folks on here do already, is to put Stabil, Sea Foam, or whatever your preferred gasoline stabilizer is into each 5-gallon can of gas when you buy it.

That is what I do and I use Sea Foam.

Bill

[ricky racer]

Just say "NO" to ethanol, you will be happier.

If only that were possible.

http://pure-gas.org/