Is E10 Gas Really That Bad for OPE?

[SubLGT]

I don't know the answer, but here is an interesting article about it:

http://www.onsiteinstaller.com/editorial...r_small_engines

"...A lot of things get blamed on ethanol, but it’s not really ethanol’s fault,” says Mike Rickey, senior manager, Honda engines…"

"... as more fuels are introduced to the market, service stations have begun installing pumps capable of dispensing E10, as well as E15, E30 and E85 gasoline…. ………...Pumps dispensing multiple blends from the same system can cause contamination. The problem increases when filling small containers. For example, according to a 2010 technical statement issued by the Engine Manufacturers Association, pumps retain 0.2 gallons of residual fuel. If the previous customer selected E85, the fuel in your 1-gallon container might actually contain a 25 percent ethanol blend (E25) instead of the desired E10…"

 

[Pop_Rivit]

As I've said in the past, I've used E10 in everything I own for more than 3 decades. Never a single fuel related problem. None of the stations that I frequent have blender pumps (or if they do I don't use them) so I don't go above E10.
I think, in addition to what the Honda Senior Manager stated, that there are a lot of problems blamed on E10 that are instead the result of poor maintenance habits.

 

[SubLGT]

Originally Posted By: SubLGT
"...A lot of things get blamed on ethanol, but it’s not really ethanol’s fault,” says Mike Rickey, senior manager, Honda engines…"


A counterpoint to the above statement is also in the linked article:

“What we recommend to people with the Crust Busters is they try to find non-oxygenated gas,” says Pete Schmitz, a partner for the septic tank agitation manufacturer. “We sell a lot of carburetors and carburetor kits because ethanol gas will literally eat the carburetor, the gas lines and the gaskets. It’s raising havoc with small engines, and it really doesn’t matter what name brand it is.”

 

[Inspecktor]

A coworker took a snowblower in to a small engine shop to try to fix a no start issue. The shop owner pulled the carb and threw it into a 55 gallon drum full of small engine carbs. He said ethanol messed them up so bad it was cheaper to replace them rather than try to repair them.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
I think, in addition to what the Honda Senior Manager stated, that there are a lot of problems blamed on E10 that are instead the result of poor maintenance habits.

And thanks to cheap parts and poor designs by outdoor power equipment OEMs. My brand new mower needed a carb rebuild after one season, with only E0, and Stabil used. Other stuff fares fine with E10 and little maintenance.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Originally Posted By: Inspecktor
A coworker took a snowblower in to a small engine shop to try to fix a no start issue. The shop owner pulled the carb and threw it into a 55 gallon drum full of small engine carbs. He said ethanol messed them up so bad it was cheaper to replace them rather than try to repair them.


What would have been more correct to say was "it's cheaper to replace the carb than to correctly diagnose the problem and make the repair."

People blame ethanol because that's what everyone else says. Everyone picks up on it and just parrots the same misinformation. I've never had a fuel related problem on anything I own, and I have at least a half dozen OPE engines that get used seasonally, all on E10, which is the only fuel available around here.

 

[Nate1979]

No problems here. Completely overblown problem.

 

[Garak]

Exactly, 92saturnsl2. I pointed out to my small engine guy that there are plenty of pure gasoline options in the city, and it's just as easy to buy pure gas as it is to blame E10 for everything.

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: 92saturnsl2
Originally Posted By: Inspecktor
A coworker took a snowblower in to a small engine shop to try to fix a no start issue. The shop owner pulled the carb and threw it into a 55 gallon drum full of small engine carbs. He said ethanol messed them up so bad it was cheaper to replace them rather than try to repair them.


What would have been more correct to say was "it's cheaper to replace the carb than to correctly diagnose the problem and make the repair."

People blame ethanol because that's what everyone else says. Everyone picks up on it and just parrots the same misinformation. I've never had a fuel related problem on anything I own, and I have at least a half dozen OPE engines that get used seasonally, all on E10, which is the only fuel available around here.


You can actually find the rebuild kits on the internet for 10-15 dollars. Then a new carb will be like 18-40 depending on the carb. I think mechanics just replace the carb and be done with it instead of taking apart something that hasn't been run in three years and you realize it's passed the point of being able to properly clean it, or it needs to sit in a bath of carb cleaner for 3 days to break the stuff loose. It's just not always worth the hassle. They can charge their $50 dollar minimum labor fee and be working on the next dirty carb machine in half an hour or less.

 

[BigD1]

No problems hogwash.

I have had to take the screw loose on the bottom of a float bowl numerous times to drain the water because my old Craftsman mower would not crank. Went to three different gas stations, and it was the same every time. Now all that was about three years ago, and since that time I bought a new Honda mower and use Stabil in the same gas can. And I always fill the tank when I get done mowing. No more problems now, but I have a feeling without the Stabil I would have problems.

 

[fdcg27]

+1
We've had E10 fuel here for years and I've never had a problem with any of my OPEs running it.
I sometimes run them dry, sometimes don't and might use a fuel stabilizer if I happen to run across some dirt cheap on clearance.
Anyway, I've never had a problem with E10 in any engine.

 

[Oldtom]

I have used E10 for years with a stiff dose of Pri-G stabilizer and stored in a metal safety can. The Pri-G seems to keep the fuel fresh ONLY while it is stored in the sealed can. After the fuel sits in the vented mower gas tank I get hard starting. I recently found a source of E0 and bought 15 gallons as an experiment. E0 seems to give easier starts after the fuel sits in the mower. My guess is the vented tank allows moisture in and volatiles out. I am going to start filling the fuel tank just before use to see how that works.

 

[The_Jeff]

My OPE is poorly stored in a roofed, but open-walled lean-to and has all kinds of fuel issues. I blame the humidity and temp swings.

It's easier to pull the carb bowls and screw around for a few minutes every fall than to fix the shed.

I get all sorts of nasty stuff out, yellow-green snot that looks like Mountain Dew.

I use red sta-bil, which is apparently near worthless. Stocked up just before their ethanol version made it big.

 

[OneEyeJack]

One idea I've followed. Only go to a gas station with a lot of pumps that is very, very busy. It may in reality come to nothing but I think that keeping the in ground tanks flushed and stirred is at least worth considering when filling up. The local Costco people tell me they tank 6-8 times a day and change their filters on a schedule much sooner that called for. I have never been to that station in the afternoon when I have not had to wait in line for at least 2 or three cars ahead of me.

 

[tig1]

I've been using E 10 for about 20 years and have never had a fuel problem with my OPE.

 

[HerrStig]

"E 10 "never causes problems" except for all the boaters who had to replace their fuel tanks. nI this halfwitted state even the marinas have to sell the stuff.

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
My OPE is poorly stored in a roofed, but open-walled lean-to and has all kinds of fuel issues. I blame the humidity and temp swings.

It's easier to pull the carb bowls and screw around for a few minutes every fall than to fix the shed.

I get all sorts of nasty stuff out, yellow-green snot that looks like Mountain Dew.

I use red sta-bil, which is apparently near worthless. Stocked up just before their ethanol version made it big.


I used the red stuff in a mercury outboard that I used maybe once a month. Didn't do any good at all. Part of me thinks that storing equipment in a 150 degree shed speeds up the deterioration of the fuel. Might be a reason why they say store in a cool dry place.

 

[spk2000]

I recently encountered the opposite fueling my Grand Marquis on premium E0 fuel. It would not start on first crank. I would turn it over let it set for 5-10 seconds then it would fire up and run fine. Put regular E10 into it and the problem went away. At first I thought maybe the fuel pump was going bad but my GM did not like the E0 fuel at all.

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: spk2000
I recently encountered the opposite fueling my Grand Marquis on premium E0 fuel. It would not start on first crank. I would turn it over let it set for 5-10 seconds then it would fire up and run fine. Put regular E10 into it and the problem went away. At first I thought maybe the fuel pump was going bad but my GM did not like the E0 fuel at all.


Even E0 pumps can be attached to tanks with significant water infiltration.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
You can actually find the rebuild kits on the internet for 10-15 dollars. Then a new carb will be like 18-40 depending on the carb.

Here's another example of gouging in Canada. The rebuild kit for my mower's carb cost more in Canada than did a brand new carb from the OEM in the States. A new carb in Canada was priced higher than the mower itself!