Listen up, me and the donkeys, Finnegan and Fergus, made a video for you that just might save you a giant headache when it comes to your power equipment.
I made this giant mistake and hopefully this will make sure that it does not happen to you.
Not sure how it works in other states but in Ohio our gasoline contains ethanol. I’ve known for a long time that gasoline with ethanol can go bad after a time. It has a really short shelf life. But what I did not realize is that what happens is when the fuel sits the gasoline and the ethanol separate. One goes to the top of the container, the other to the bottom.
Early in the spring a couple of years ago I grabbed my gas can and filled up my lawn mower. Didn’t get 100 feet before the mower started running really bad, stalling out etc. I had to take the mower to my shop and drain the fuel tank. I thought it had water in it. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out my gas can had gotten that much water in it.
But it wasn’t water at all. The fuel had separated and when I poured the fuel in the mower I got almost all ethanol, very little gasoline. Two things you need to know.
- Always shake the gas can before you pour it into your power equipment.
- Always add fuel stabilizer to the fuel that you are storing for your power equipment.
Questions, comments, mean things to say? Post them below and I will respond. Until then, by any and all means stay inspired!
Hi Mike!
Really enjoy reading and watching the techniques you teach and use. Question about the ethanol gas: why not just remove the ethanol? It’s easy to do and the small loss of octane cane be corrected with a tiny amount of additive found in the local auto parts stores.
Robert,
I can see buying fuel with no ethanol, but removing it? I go through was too much fuel to do that.
Got
Thank you Mike, never knew this and I thought I knew EVERYTHING!!! Your page is sooo helpful….
Thanks, Mike. FYI, it appears that water absorption is probably responsible for the separation we are talking about. “A significant issue associated with ethanol–gasoline blends is the phase separation that occurs with the addition of small volumes of water, producing an ethanol-deficient gasoline layer and an ethanol-rich aqueous layer. The gasoline layer may have a lower-than-desired octane rating due to the decrease in ethanol content, resulting in engine knock, while the ethanol-rich aqueous layer may not support combustion.” That’s from the American Chemical Society. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ed086p1045
If you have to buy gas with ethanol in it, make sure you’re running your equipment to empty when you put them in storage, or add a little Seafoam or similar to stabilize it. It will help with the separation and keep things clean. Of course, ethanol-free gas is still preferred, but it’s getting harder and harder to come by.
Actually, many places are starting to sell it aGain. There used to be only one place near South Knoxville TN we could get pure gas(no ethanol- it also destroys seals and diaphrams in pumps) but now there are 6.!
You are such an inspiring person. I am sorry that you have people being not nice to you. I love your landscaping. There are always gonna be not nice people in this world.❣️ Thank you for all your inspiration. Have a blessed life❣️
dreamione in Texas
Thank you!
Mike just want you to know I very much enjoy hearing from you. As to your post on ethanol gas I was told by my.mechanic friend some years ago that it very much shortens the life of lawn mowers and other gas powered equipment. The best solution is to use ethanol free gas. It costs more but will save you alot of money in the long run. Also if you have a vehicle that you don’t drive very often you should also use ethanol free gas in it also.
Loralee, great info, thank you.
You look great! I had the same problem with my lawn mower. It was old so I replace it with a new one. I like the newer one better but will be on guard in the future regarding gas purchases.
Thanks
You’re looking good Mike!! Keep up the good work
Thank you!
Thank you Mr. Groaty.
Expected to hear about using pump gas in 2cycle stuff. I was too cheap to buy the special ethanol free pre-mix until I finally put some in my tools just for winter storage. I was third of disassembling everything in the spring to clean the fuel systems plugged up by ethanol fuel. This morning I went to start my lease blower that had been sitting almost a year. I had put the pricey ethanol free fuel in last year but fully expected to have to take the carb apart to clean it anyway. What a surprise when it started the first couple pulls and ran fine all day. The pricey ethanol free stuff is worth it for 2 cycle tools. I’ll just suck it up and pay the price from now on.
And by the way, shaking old gas before using it is something I never thought about but makes perfect sense. Thanks Mike.
Thanks George, I forgot to mention about trying to find reg gas without ethanol for your power equipment. Around here I think we have one place that sells it.
mike just buy regular gas ethanol fuel will swell your carburetor rubber gaskets and you get more performance from regular gas.
thanks for all your suggestions over the years
Yeah bourbon will do that to you, after a few rounds the bottle separates and you see two of them… As well as other things around you.
Thankfully after some time it somehow returns to its original form although in many cases the bourbon will have somhow escaped the bottle in the process! 😉
Love your videos, Mike……I like all the info you have given us…….It has really helped me in my garden with all your advise about plants…..your very helpful and it is much appreciated :):) Enjoyed the video with the donkeys…….there so cute…….Your looking good there kiddo………I live in Texas and boy is it HOT!!!! Been watching you for years and enjoy all of them………keep on keeping on and I will be watching. Take care my friend……..:):)
Patsy Conlon – Texas
Thank you Patsy!
Right on, Mike. Ethanol in gas is a pain. It can also absorb moisture from the air space in a gas can. I use stabilizer all four seasons here in northern Illinois. I try to keep my mower & snowblower tanks full, especially in the winter. A couple years I tried draining the mower tank and running it dry but ended up with junk in the carb bowl anyway and had to clean the carb and put in a new needle valve. In about 40 years of leaving the power equipment tanks full of stabilized gas, I’ve never had a bit of trouble getting quick starts in the spring for the mower or winter for the snowblower, and I have an unheated detached garage.
Better yet…buy gasoline WITHOUT ethanol! so much better for machinery 🙂
You’re right and I forgot to mention that. That’s if you can find it near you.
Years ago I had the same problem with my chainsaw and could not figure it out until the Nickols Brothers told me it was the ethonal in the gas. The same problem occurred when the boat was stored over the winter. Since then I always use the recreational gas that does NOT contain ethonal in all my smaller gas engines and have never had a problem. The Rec gas seems to keep the plugs cleaner and is a higher octane rating.
Octane 89-90 octane level.
I avoid the problem by only using “rec gas”- the ethanol-free in all my power equipment.
Don’t buy the low grade gasoline I was told by dealer where I bought mower and weed wacker. Government lowered standards on it. I buy the middle grade. Not sure octane level. I’ll check. Little bit of stabilizer and run all fuel out if not going to use for a lengthy time.
My mower , weed wacker and blower have been starting fine.
Ethanol is one of the biggest hoaxes of our century.
I try to buy nonethanol gas ⛽️.
For all of my small engines.
Especially generators that may sit idle for long periods of time.
The gas stabilizer is a must if you can’t find nonethanol gas.
I always seal my gas containers TIGHTLY.
Methanol absorbs moisture from the air,and evaporates faster than gasoline or methanol,so if the container gets air,it will concentrate the water and reduce the amount of ethanol in the mix.
This water will settle to the bottom if left undisturbed for a long time.
I cut a gasket to fit the large nozzle hole and put it under the cap when I close the container.
I always allow about 1/3 of the container empty to allow for expansion/contraction.
A container always breathes;.in the daytime,the air is expelled from the container as it warms and expands,and at night,it inhales the cold air from the environment.
This continues every day,accumulating more water in the methanol.Stabil and an air-tight container can make alcohol mixture good for a year or more,but it is still recommended to shake the can before using.What drained out of your tank was a mix of water and methanol,the two are inseparable as long as there is methanol and water together in the tank.Eventually,the methanol becomes so diluted by water that it is almost,but not quite pure water,then it settles to the bottom.
The drained liquid that you have is part methanol,mostly water,because the methanol evaporates quicker than the water,and the water concentrates,while the methanol becomes less and less as time goes on.
The amount of methanol left in the fuel at this point is a very small percentage.
I have used 2 year old mix in my chain saw with no ill effects using this tight sealing method.
Always use an approved container for storing gas,because some plastics are dissolved by gasoline/methanol,and will harm the carburetor and engine when the plastic goes through.
.Milk cartons are bad for this.
Use a container made from HDPE,which is immune to the mixture,like for instance a small amount to take with you for a chain saw
I have over 60 years experience in mechanics,and this information is from that school of hard knocks as well as many hours of technical instruction and training.
Interesting, thank you for the tips!
I ruined a brand-new trimmer by neglecting the fuel mixture. I hired a new helper, and the language barrier was too much for us.
I am impressed with your weight loss. You look 20 years younger!
Thanks Mike for your continued, info I just enjoy your precious donkeys ” ..and your timely info” ..on growing things , your baking , etc .. Keep up the great works ” ..Jah bless …🙌
Love, love those donkeys.. They steal the show every time!
We are blessed to have stations that sell non ethanol gas for our power tools, but like Roy, we’ve gone to battery power; cleaner, quieter and lighter!
God bless those donkeys and you!
We had this problem on our speedboat and thought we had a leak in the tank but finally figured out we need recreational fuel in it. So we keep a cab handy for our tractor and lawnmower now and they have run great ever since. We don’t have to ad any stabilizer and every other hand tool We went electric as I can pull start and hubby isn’t always home to help. (Golf takes first place not complaining any more.). Thanks for all your good tips and keep up the good work.
The other thing we use is the non-ethanol gas. My husband got tired of changing the fuel lines because the ethanol gas degraded the lines and discovered that didn’t happen with”real” gas. We also used stabilizer.
In Kentucky you can still buy straight gasoline (at a higher price). When I had to have my weed eater over hauled the mechanic said that the gaskets in the carb had all melted and gunked up the carb. He said “I bet you are using ethanol blend fuel. Never use that in your small engines. Over time it will destroy them.” I switched to straight gas and haven’t had a problem since.
Better yet find a gas station that sells ethanol free gas. It costs about a buck a gallon more but I use it in all my small engines. Ethanol not only causes storage problems like you described but also eats the heck out of all your rubber and plastic gaskets, valves, etc. It will kill your small engine eventually.
Mike, have a John Deere I’ve had for 15 years, and have always put gasoline alcohol mix 87 octane have never had a problem just thought I’d let you know that.
You are right on about the ethanol. But a simplier solution is to use nonethanol gas.
Your best bet is to find a local gas station that sells premium no ethanol then you don’t have to worry. Stable has been know to gum up valves so I quit using it. Since it’s used on small power equipment the price for premium is not a big issue. Plus no headaches.
Down here in Tennessee we learned the hard way too. Now when we fill our gas cans it’s with 100% pure gas. It costs a little more but worth not destroying equipment. I go through about 3 cans with each mow and in today’s world it’s getting too expensive to mow!! By the way we were told by the mechanics at the Co op that the ethanol fuel destroys the plastic fuel tanks on the equipment too.
Down here ion Tennessee we learned the hard way too. Now when we fill our gas cans it’s with 100% pure gas. It costs a little more but worth not destroying equipment. I go through about 3 cans with each mow and in today’s world it’s getting too expensive to mow!! By the way we were told by the mechanics at the Co op that the ethanol fuel destroys the plastic fuel tanks on the equipment too.
I have had more trouble with ethanol fuel and the repair guys i went to last told me to use RV gas ( non ethanol). Equipment I use to have trouble with now starts and run all the time. Now with the gas prices it sure cost a lot more to do chores but I still use it. There are additives to add for ethanol fuel.
Thanks Mike – we are on the “we love ya side”
Mike I use non- ethanol gas in everything portable. Gas cost a little more, but saves the cost of parts and repair. If you use the stabaliser, I would suggest using the marine (blue) stuff from the same manufacturer. Much better product. Congrats on the weight loss. You look great.
I had no idea! No one has ever mentioned this problem! Once again, my Hat is off to you Mike.
In my book, you go down as one of the Great Americans.
Thanks Jim, I appreciate that!
Every small equipment mechanic will tell you ethanol is bad for your engines. Period. It should not be difficult to find pure gasoline with NO ethanol. And using stabilizer is always recommended. My 15-year-old Poulan Pro 42″ has never had an ounce of ethanol contaminating its fuel system. and is still running perfectly. Don’t be lazy. Find pure gas.
Your donkeys in this video getting into whatever you are focusing your attention on have convinced me that they are cats with hooves. 😀
my wife mows grass year round (I plant winter rye in the fall) in zone 8 with a Husqvarna ztr 60″ mower I still add fuel stabilizer in the 5 gallon cans when I fill them up, we rarely use the push mower these days and I only put fuel in that mower as needed. I replaced my 2 cycle yard tools with black decker 18 volt tools (weed eater and blower) and they exceed my expectations and they work very well and I keep 2 extra batteries charged for those tools, No more mixing and storing 2 cycle fuel, no more frustration caused by pulling a rope to try to start the 2 cycle tools that can be difficult to start, no more noisy 2 cycle engines and the smoke they produce. I rarely use a chainsaw these days so I replaced my 2 cycle Husqvarna gas chainsaw with a Dewalt 60 volt battery chainsaw and it cuts as good as the gas saw I replaced. When I sold the husqvarna saw it paid for the dewalt saw. The battery power lasts about as long as a tank of gas in a gas saw. I also keep 2 extra batteries charged for the chainsaw and by the time I drain 3 batteries I am ready for a break. The last time I used the saw was to cut up a 30 yr old maple tree that was blown down in a storm. A big plus is the 60 v batteries also work in my other Dewalt power tools. it is a win win situation for me.
Is that a June 2022 photo of you with the article? You have certainly lost a lot of weight……CONGRATULATIONS. I was a bit worried about your health in some of your photos from a few years earlier. Hope you are feeling strong and energized these days!
Susan,
I had weight loss surgery 2.5 years ago. I feel great!
Glad that you are doing well, I also saw your pic and noticed the weight loss. Glad all is good for you as you do so much good for us all. Take care and thanks for ever tidbit you share. Many blessings to you and yours 🙂
Dang. It is quite a trasformation. I hope you are enjoying food and feeling good about the decision. I had to look twice and I am glad it was aconcious decision and not an illness!!
Easier on the joints too I bed. M
I had the same worry Susan. So happy for you Mike!
I had the same thing happen to a bottle of bourbon the other day. The alcohol separated from the water and other stuff in the bourbon. Very upsetting.
Your “facts” here are suspect and based entirely on old big oil talking points.
Brad,
Ya think? My facts are based on my actual experience draining old fuel out of both my mower and an atv. The only thing that I’ promoting is not having to deal with headaches that I had before I realized it wasn’t water in the fuel but separation. I’m sorry to here about your bottle of bourbon.
I work on a golf course and we had quite a few problems with the ethanol. Multiple mechanics have told us to add a stabilizer to the gas cans. Also any equipment that doesn’t run everyday we installed fuel shut off valves and let them run out of gas so that stuff isn’t sitting in the carb gumming it up. I don’t have any “facts’ about this, I just know that if we don’t do these things our equipment winds up breaking down
Mike,you are right. I did the same thing, Now I put stabilizer in the 5 gallon jug when I get it home from gas station, that why the gas is always ready to go. Done it this way for over 20 years. Love your post, always referring back to them.
Maybe you shouldn’t let your bourbon set too long. I have found that if I don’t mix it , my engine doesn’t run smoothly .
Yeah bourbon will do that to you, after a few rounds the bottle separates and you see two of them… As well as other things around you.
Thankfully after some time it somehow returns to its original form although in many cases the bourbon will have somhow escaped the bottle in the process! 😉