Topic: Fuel

[rb550four]

We've all been dealing with this alcohol gas issue screwing up our small engines. Some stations in my local have switched back to the old  93 oct.regular unleaded fuel. It costs about 6 cents more  per gallon not to mix alcohol in with it at the port and smaller stations know that there is a market for it ,and are not only are they making it available to us , they are saving their gas station businesses by selling a product that the national companies don't sell.
 There is much interest around here and folks do travel to get the good stuff. Next week I'm going back to those smaller stations with a bunch of containers so I can dump that nasty crap that's in my machines now and replace it with the good stuff , I know that'll keep until spring. Everyone I talk to is doing the same thing.
  It's  the quiet revolution, small distributors are allowed to buy and sell it, the big companies can't. And we can get what we want and keep small businesses in business. That works for us.
  Perhaps you know of a struggling gas station near your home that could use a shot in the arm and you could get some decent fuel for a change. Doesn't hurt to ask them about it.

[Stev-o]

Alcohol gas?    There are no struggling gas stations in my area.

[rb550four]

 Correction  for clarification . Today's gasoline, the one with alcohol added to it locally because it separates too quickly to store for  any amount of time. The gasoline mix that has screwed up carbs and gaskets  since it's introduction. The fuel that red Stabil can't stabilize  so they made a Green /blue Stabil that might keep it together for the winter. That stuff.


I guess what I'm really saying is  that you can't ask a national brand to go back to the regular  unleaded only fuel at the pumps because they are not allowed to, but,  a small station is allowed to sell that if they choose to,and most of them don't know that there is a market for regular unleaded only gasoline, and if you want it , you should ask your local Mom/Pop station if they could carry it.

[dave500]

i can leave my chainsaw for two years and itll start right up with its old fuel,we must get good stuff here?

[NitroHunter]

As soon as my supplier switches us to that 'Winter Blend' I treat every gallon of unleaded at every top off of my 500 gallon tank at work. All my small mowers and 2 cycle equipment begin to have issues if I don't. I've already replaced fuel filters in the past 2 weeks, it is just my scheduled maintenance for this time of year.
My diesel fuel is 100% treated year round, but that is based on treatment cost vs consumption reductions. My records don't lie, good treatments work! 
Also changed pump filters this week as well (twice a year).
Alcohol LOVES to absorb moisture.   

[Xnavylfr]

You CAN'T leave any gasoline long term without a stabilizer.  The solvent/liquids in the gas WILL evaporate and cause what is left to continuously become thicker!!!




Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[Duanob]

I just found a station not far from work that carries 93 octane no ethanol fuel. Filled up a 6 gal can to store in my bikes and mower for the winter. I did ad Stabil to it. I am good to go until next spring.

Also to add to the OP. Ethanol fuel can wreak havoc on some tank liners as well. That's why I found this station. I just lined my tank and I have yet to put ethanol fuel in it. So far so good on the real gas.

[70CB750]

Find one near you:

http://pure-gas.org/

[faux fiddy]

I'm not as worried about 10% when I fill up knowing that I will burn it all in the same day.

[Ace]

I filled up at a small town servo, Pine Creek in NT (Oz), rode back home 80 miles and #4 carb bowl had a slight weep. Next day 3 out of the 4 were leaking, $120 later for carby gaskets not happy.  Not sure if it was ethanol or something else the owner mixed in, either way the CB750 K1 didn't like it.  I run standard Shell unleaded (91 RON) here in Oz with upper cylinder lube. 10.5 compression pistons. No issues.  Tried premium (95 RON), apart from the higher price 10 cents per litre more, bike didn't seem to runs as good.

Fuel additives do worry me as what are we going to do when you can't buy fuel that won't eat the seals in your carby?

[dave500]

i run 95 caltex in the bike and 98 in my old carbed 308 ace,never had trouble in years,never tried the bike on 91 though,i dont like filling up at little old out of the way rusty stations because of sediment and what are you really buying?if i have to i only fill enough to get me to a larger cleaner outlet.

[Ace]

i run 95 caltex in the bike and 98 in my old carbed 308 ace,never had trouble in years,never tried the bike on 91 though,i dont like filling up at little old out of the way rusty stations because of sediment and what are you really buying?if i have to i only fill enough to get me to a larger cleaner outlet.

I filled up to save me pushing 40 kms in 32 degree heat (Celcius). Sometimes there are long distances between drinks in the Territory.

[dave500]

yeah but there are good drinks and bad ones?