Snowblower, single stage

Re: Snowblower, single stage

Sorry to drag this old post up...

20 year old 2-smoke snowblower has blown it's last, I fear. Maybe if I tear the carb apart and replace the primer bulb (missing completely), and give it a new spark plug and give it one more try...

Also, I thought I had drained the fuel system in my Honda genny, but hadn't, and that would not start either yesterday. Bad day for small engines.

I guess StaBil can only do so much...

So we were talking about sources of non-e10 gas - us east coasters just can't get it.
Or can we?
Just thought about running Coleman white gas - primarily Naptha - word has it it is quite stable, but not enough octane to run small engines.
Then I thought of AvGas - 100LL - seems that's available for less than $6.00/gallon. Very stable. High octane. Slower flame front.
Now, if the local airport will sell me a couple gallons.
Any thoughts/experience?

One more question:
How does one (responsibly) dispose of stale gas or a gas/oil mix?

Buehler? Buehler?
 
Re: Snowblower, single stage

What really goes stale about gas? If the ethanol has absorbed water, I wonder if there isn't some way to freeze the water so it precipitates out? You might be able to rehabilitate old gas by diluting it with fresh gas.

This ethanol is a major PIA...

JR
 
Re: Snowblower, single stage

frank kayser said:
So we were talking about sources of non-e10 gas - us east coasters just can't get it.
Click to expand...

It's definitely a problem for older small engines. Some of the newer ones have better tolerance for Ethanol. Personally the best alternative I have is using premium gas, which is what most of the manufacturers of small engines now recommend. I've seen independent testers claim averages of about 3% in premium and around 7% in regular, though "up to 10%" seems to be the common verbiage you see at the gas station.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. My snowblower is currently giving me troubles too, but it's only 5 years old and has a 7.5 HP Briggs and Stratton. Took the carb apart and cleaned everything I could and it still runs like crap and dies frequently. I wasted enough hours trying everything I could think of and finally gave up and sent it to a shop - they've had it for a week already... Fortunately there have been no storms this week!

The solution to my problem is that I should just buy a Honda.... :lol:
 
Re: Snowblower, single stage

John Roberts said:
What really goes stale about gas? If the ethanol has absorbed water, I wonder if there isn't some way to freeze the water so it precipitates out? You might be able to rehabilitate old gas by diluting it with fresh gas.

This ethanol is a major PIA...

JR
Click to expand...

I don't really know much about why it goes stale, but supposedly it starts going stale even after a few weeks. Using fuel stabilizer is pretty well a MUST for small engines unless you are using them constantly. It's a pain, but the alternative to ignoring this is a lot of frustration.
 
Re: Snowblower, single stage

John Roberts said:
What really goes stale about gas? If the ethanol has absorbed water, I wonder if there isn't some way to freeze the water so it precipitates out? You might be able to rehabilitate old gas by diluting it with fresh gas.

This ethanol is a major PIA...

JR
Click to expand...

One opinion: The Straight Dope: Why does gasoline go stale so quickly?
Summarized:
- lighter chemicals evaporate
- oxygenation of hydrocarbons producing other substances
- condensation

Apparently subject to sealed storage and the smaller amount of airspace in the container.

Ethanol is reported to add a whole new set of problems.

I do know if I left old gas in my m/c, all the rubber parts in the in-tank fuel pump would expand and sieze the pump. With or without ethanol.

Rehabilitate old gas through diluting the old gas - dumping a gallon (which stopped my mower dead) in a car with 15 gallons was enough to see no effect in the car in which I put it.

Now - what to do with gas/oil mix... Hate to lose a catalytic converter from something as silly as a little oil...
 
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