Posted on 08/20/2018 10:32:03 PM PDT by chuckles
I have 2 chain saws, 3 weed eaters and 3 blowers, all 2 cycle and all need fuel lines almost every year. I buy the fuel line by the foot now. Used to just by replacement bag of lines for each brand.
There must be a better way to fix these lines so they won't rot every year or 2. FReepers are wise and chocked with info. I hope someone out there has a better way. Is there some other material that can be used.I'm even thinking of copper if I can get it small enough.
Thx
“Make sure there is no ethanol in your gas.”
It might take a little looking but some independent gas stations carry off road/classic car fuel wit no corn squeezings in it.
You can remove the ethanol from the gasoline with water.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH2zgomFdEM
Is straight premium gasoline available where you live?
I use nothing else in my outdoor power equipment.
I’m switching my small engines to CENEX fuel, which is available at our local Farm Co-op.
2) For the larger devices like generators, use black rubber looking fuel line from auto part stores.
3)Always empty the tank and run the engine until the carburetor is dry if you don't plan to use the engine for a couple of weeks, or more. This is particularly important for two-cycle oil mix fuel.
As others have mentioned, try to avoid ethanol mixed fuel from most gas stations. Specifically designated Marine gas, Aviation gas, and "Racing" gas are most often ethanol free, but cost more.
There are at least 8 outlets within 20 miles of my home that sell 100% gasoline, from a pump that looks the same as the pumps that dispense ethanol.
It simply has different markings and price calculators.
I buy 55 gallons twice a year, for my lawn care needs and my emergency gasoline stash.
I further treat it with Sta-bil, but I could probably get away without using it with 100% gasoline.
Yes, it costs more.
It's worth it, but not to the point of using it exclusively in my car/truck, since both were modern engineered to use ethanol.
If it were up to me, we'd dump all that ethanol crap.
“Is there some other material that can be used.I’m even thinking of copper if I can get it small enough.”
Anything other than paper would be better.
Will still keep an eye on this thread .. could turn into one of those running/entertaining debates one can find on auto sites re which motor oil is best :-)
Tygon fuel lines, period.
EØ fuel, preferably.
Stabil 360 Marine if EØ isn’t an option.
I’ve gone the lithium battery way and for no more than I need, it works.
Shields 368 Series A1-15 marine fuel line is about the most ethanol resistant you’re going to find. Tygon won’t hold up to ethanol fuel over the long run.
The best advice is to stick to ethanol free gas though. I know you say it’s a long way to find it but it’s worth it. Plan ahead a bit better and keep some stored. I keep about 10 gallons stored at any given time so it’s always ready to go in my small engines. I’ve spent too much money and down time repairing ethanol damage to my small engines caused by ethanol so now I bite the bullet and don’t put it in them AT ALL. Ethanol is OK in vehicles where being constantly used but if it sits for a while it’s a nightmare. I have the pure app on my Iphone, there are usually a lot more stations that carry it than you’d think, it’s just not usually advertised that well. Stabil and the like are good but they’re treating a problem that is much better avoided in the first place by not using ethanol.
http://www.discountmarinesupplies.com/HOSE-Shields_368_Series_A1-15_Low_Perm_Fuel_Hose.html
I do the same with my 2 strokes!
PRO 1 Fuel Line Hose
In addition to checking on gasbuddy for non ethanol gasoline you could also try any small municipal airports. They may have non ethanol fuel. I will drive to a station about 10 miles away to get 110 octane leaded racing fuel. It costs $9.30/gallon. It is still cheaper than Truefuel or other brands sold in quart containers. I will use this in the winter in snow blowers.
I use Startron stabilizer. It seems to work better than Stabil. I also buy the ethanol gasoline in super unleaded ONE gallon at a time. FYI, 2 cycle oil has stabilizer in it.
When I put my small engines away for an extended time I run them dry. I empty the bowl on the carb of the four cycle machines. Then I run True Fuel 2 cycle or 4 cycle non ethanol fuel through them. Let them run for 5 minutes and then shut off and store.
I have only replaced a couple fuel lines since the advent of ethanol gasoline. I had to replace a carb on a Echo hedge trimmer that I left the mixed gas in for a long time.
FYI I currently own:
1999 John Deere lawn tractor 15 hp Kohler engine
Honda HS 520 20’ snowblower 5 HP 4 cycle Honda engine
Toro 16” 2 cycle 3.5 HP snow blower
Stihl hand held Leaf blower 2 cycle
1990 Stihl 026 chainsaw
Stihl FS 85 Straight shaft blade trimmer
1990 Echo GT 80 curved shaft trimmer
DR Chipper with 10HP B&S 4 cycle engine
Troy Built sickle bar brush cutter 5 HP 4 cycle engine
I formerly owned:
1976 Simplicity SnoAway snow blower 8 HP B&S 4 cycle (BEST SNOW BLOWER EVER MADE)
1989 Simplicity 9HP Tecumseh 28” snow blower
1990 Ariens 22” lawn mower 5 HP Tecumseh
Echo hedge trimmer 2 cycle
With all the above machines I have owned over the last 30 years. I have only replaced fuel lines on the Ariens mower and the John Deere tractor. I use black rubber. They were both 20 years or older when they needed to be replaced.
Use Ethanol free gas, or get a gas additive. The additive is relatively cheap.
Is there a general aviation airport near you? Avgas has no ethanol, but the octane might be too high. Just a suggestion.
Or you could just burn it off...much quicker...oh, wait...;)
Mr. GG2 tromps all over hell and gone to get non ethanol gas for his 3 chainsaws. I think thats the key.
I wanna hear any resident chemists chime on this.
.. mix a quart or so of water in to each gallon of ethanol containing gasoline ..
He’s correct! Same if you have sugar in the gas!
This worked!
I had checked all the places in my town of about 3k population. The closest one wanted you to have a private account and buy a minimum every mo I don't need. Also it runs 10-15 cents higher so I wouldn't use it in my cars. It's basically for fleet sales. Also it's about 1.5 hr round trip.
Using this web site I can drive about 40 min the other direction and just buy at the pump with no account. All I need is about 10 gal a year. Getting more than 10 gal just means storing till next year. One trip a year, getting the amount I want, almost like living in America again. Trugas was my next choice, but man, the price is ridiculous. When I'm cutting firewood I can use a gallon or more. Add that to the labor And I might just pay for someone else to cut split and deliver and stack for about $50 more.
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