ethanol

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Blue Bowtie

I'm storing lawnmowers, a chainsaw, two snowblowers, a two-stroke trimmer, a DR brush trimmer, an outboard, several cars, and an emergency generator with E-10 and Sta Bil. They all seem to work fine every season. Here's a hint from 20 years experience doing this - Prepare the engine(s) as you normally would for storage, with oil/filter changes, plug cleaning, etcetera. Try keeping your fuel tanks for storage only about half full, add the recommended amount of fuel stabilizer for that amount of fuel and just a few squirts more, then add two stroke oil to make about a 100:1 mixture. Run the engine briefly, fog the cylinder(s), and it should be ready to go the following startup.

i agree with all that you stated, and have had no problems until alcohol began to be added....use sta-bil when gas is purchased every time also add small amout of marvel oil to gas 1/2 oz/2 gallons...many years no problems in spring lawn mower starts every time ..lawnmower is 1992 snapper tecumseh..

you mention the E -10 what's that...?

[silicon212]

E10 is another way of writing "Gasoline, 10% ethanol content".

[Blue Bowtie]

My mower is a 1988, Briggs 5HP Quantum. It's had E-10 from Day One. I've installed a new plug now and again, changed oil, replaced two worn front wheels (from rolling in grass for 20 years), and the blade brake cable wore out last year, but nothing else. It also runs two blades just to load up the engine a bit more:



Ditch the Marvel Mystery Oil, run 10W30 Mobil 1 or Amsoil in the crankcase, and mix the storage fuel as described and it should be fine.