Pre mixed 50:1 2-cycle fuel.

PA DETAILER

PA DETAILER

DETAILED TODAY?
Have a newer homelite gas string trimmer. Been hard to start the last few uses. Figure i would try a can of the pre mixed fuel that was on sale at Lowes. My understanding that the ethanol in pump gas is murder in 2-cycle engines. Now you can off set this with special oil added to the gas. But wanted to see the difference, if any, of using pre mixed. I don`t have a lot of trimming. Maybe 10-15 min. worth. Filled the tank with the pre mixed. WOW!! It was like a different animal. Started with ease and ran better than new. Absolutely something to be said for pre mixed.

https://weingartz.com/expert-advice/2014/11/5-reasons-to-use-pre-mixed-fuel/
 
It’s expensive but well worth the money. It’s a huge difference between pump gas and pre mix. I have a local station that sells ethanol free fuel but it doesn’t work nearly as well. I would never use anything else in my 2 cycle equipment.
 
Yeah, in some very targeted applications, the E0 fuel is a big help. I use it exclusively in my little used equipment (chain saw and weed whacker) and I do my seasonal shutdowns with it in the snow blowers.
 
I started using it last year and its been great, no more running issues. I never had too much issues with E10 93 octane, but I think it was more my oil mixing habits that got me in trouble. I usually only go through a gallon a year, so not too much more out of pocket to go pre-mixed. I recently converted my fleet to Echo (besides my rarely used chainsaw) so I`ve been using their Red Armor fuel. No complaints. It will go bad eventually though. I hadn`t used my chainsaw in a couple years and decided to get it out and run it. Was running poorly and a quick sniff of the fuel reviled it was bad fuel.
 
Noting that I go through countless gallons of 2-Cycle Mix every year (not just ten or twelve ;) )...

tom p. said:
Yeah, in some very targeted applications, the E0 fuel is a big help. I use it exclusively in my little used equipment...
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Yeah, it can be useful when it`s (really) needed. I only have one piece of 2C equip that`s at all finicky about its fuel mix, but unless I`m diligent about running it dry the ethanol can lead to carb redos that cost a lot more than the (rather pricey) pre-mix. But in all the others, there`s just no need; they start/run fine even after many months of sitting with the fuel in `em.
 
I`ve been running no-ethanol premium in my lawn mower (Honda), snow blower (Honda), and trimmer (Stihl 2cyl) for years now. They all seem to like it.

I`d have to pay closer attention, but I probably only go through around 10 gallons a year. I figure for that small amount it`s worth it to me to not worry about the fuel. Haven`t had any fuel related issues since I switched. I didn`t really have many issues prior though.

Due to a lack of time/interest (in rebuilding it myself), I brought my Stihl trimmer to a local service center when I inherited it (it had sat for years). It`s been a champ and has been easy starting ever since - I think it`s been 6+ years now. I don`t do anything special for it at the end of the year.

For how little fuel it uses, I might pick up a can to try next time the gallon jug I mix from is empty.


Edit: I forgot to add - I also have taken to adding a small shot of RedLine S1 Fuel System Cleaner to the jug of fuel when I refill it.
 
PA DETAILER said:
Have a newer homelite gas string trimmer. Been hard to start the last few uses. Figure i would try a can of the pre mixed fuel that was on sale at Lowes. My understanding that the ethanol in pump gas is murder in 2-cycle engines. Now you can off set this with special oil added to the gas. But wanted to see the difference, if any, of using pre mixed. I don`t have a lot of trimming. Maybe 10-15 min. worth. Filled the tank with the pre mixed. WOW!! It was like a different animal. Started with ease and ran better than new. Absolutely something to be said for pre mixed.

https://weingartz.com/expert-advice/2014/11/5-reasons-to-use-pre-mixed-fuel/
Click to expand...

Have a link for it at Lowes???
 
I`d argue it`s significantly more expensive than just replacing a carb. I replaced the carb with a brand new one for like $35 on my lawn mower after putting it in storage for 3 years without draining the fuel. Ran like new. That being said, the equipment just runs better on the engineered fuel, so I use it. $20/gal is a little ridiculous imo
 
I’ve been using 90 octane non ethanol for the last 10 years
Get it from the marina. Not cheap
$3.19 a gal. All 2 strokes I use stihl 2 cycle oil. 4 cycles I mix it with this. No problems ever
40af4bd50f741ed2d99887d11208b7c1.png



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Boy do I miss my MTBE....
Have not issues with 2 cycle mix. Nor do I use fuel stabilizer in anything...
I just always cycle it dry . Winter Stuff get`s stuff drained in spring. Summer stuff get`s stuff drained by Thanksgiving day. Rinse and repeat and never leave fuel to hang around.
 
(MTBE) is Methyl tert-butyl ether is a flammable liquid that has been used as an additive for unleaded gasoline since the 1980s. MTBE increases octane and oxygen levels in gasoline and reduces pollution emissions , AKA tetra-ethyl lead substitute.
Also the reason some gasoline in high-emission cities is more expensive than rural areas. I also think this the additive in "summer" gas, and yes, there is a difference between "summer" gas and "winter" gas. Lawn mowers do NOT run well on winter gas and may even experience vapor lock in the carburetor or be very hard to re-start in hot weather.

My wife`s cousins on her Mom`s side runs a small-engine dealership and service and they SWEAR by engineered fuels for small engines like chain saws, leaf blowers, and line trimmers. It prevents so many fuel system problems, especially for those small-engine tools that may not be used a regular basis.
 
It`s been awhile since I`ve done the ##, and not from a economy standpoint. But the -power- delivery of MTBE fuel vs when Ethanol was introduced was definately noticeable in the same cars back when the transition period occured. I remember I loved driving over the -other state-, as they still had MTBE fuel and not corn fuel.
 
For that little bit of trimming DUMP that stinky PITA gas trimmer for an electric one. I did about 3 years ago and will NEVER MIX gas again. I have about 20-30 min of trimming and have no problem doing it on one battery. I currently use a Ryobi 40v but when this battery dies I will be buying a Dewalt 20v since the rest of my tools are Dewalt
 
Do people`s equipment *need* premium these days? All my stuff is decades old, but everything runs fine of regular. I do note that my one finicky hedge trimmer is the newest piece of equip I have....

ShaneB said:
I`d argue it`s significantly more expensive than just replacing a carb...
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Just depends on the situation...IMO it`s not a one-answer-for-all thing... I go through literally countless gallons of mix so I`m just glad it`s not a biggie for me :D

Note that I have zero idea how to change the carb on that one trimmer anyhow :o

dcjredline said:
I have about 20-30 min of trimming...
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Heh heh, now I`m *really* envious!
 
I like true fuel for my 2 stroke equipment. But as I need replacements (other then chainsaw) I am going over to battery equipment.
 
Accumulator said:
Do people`s equipment *need* premium these days? All my stuff is decades old, but everything runs fine of regular. I do note that my one finicky hedge trimmer is the newest piece of equip I have....



Just depends on the situation...IMO it`s not a one-answer-for-all thing... I go through literally countless gallons of mix so I`m just glad it`s not a biggie for me :D

Note that I have zero idea how to change the carb on that one trimmer anyhow :o



Heh heh, now I`m *really* envious!
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If I recall correctly both my Stihl and Echo say minimum 89. Premium is 93 in my part of the world, so when I mixed my own that`s what they got. Ironically all premixed I`ve bought has been 93+.

Funny you mention carb replacement. My older Stihl FS 46 only needed one carb rebuild in 13 years and it was right in the open and thus super easy. My new FS50 C looks like a PITA due to added plastics. My new Echo SRM 225 is more oldschool and the carb is right out in the open for easy service, as is my Echo blower.

I`ve spent way too much on lawn equipment this year. Replaced my old FS46 trimmer for the 50C back in April, but was so disgusted by it I replaced it with the Echo. Never thought I`d stray from Stihl, but their newer stuff is not like the old. The Echo has more of an oldschool feel and while less CC`s feels more powerful. My old cheap Troy-Built blower also was starting to aggravate me with poor running so I replaced it with an Echo and am thoroughly happy. Also had to replace my rider due to my own stupidity, but in hindsight was a blessing. My old 30" mid-engine rider took about 1.25 hrs to mow my yards, but my 46" Cub I can get done in 35 minutes.
 
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